RN First Assist | Operating Room | Full Time

The Registered Nurse (RN) First Assist provides individualized nursing care services to patients undergoing surgical procedures within the standards of nursing practice. In this position the RN plays a lead role in the organization and preparation for the procedure, provides for the comfort and safety of the patient pre- and post- procedure, and provides direct assistance to the Surgeon during surgery.

• Coordinate with the charge nurse the duties of team members between cases to ensure a safe, clean environment and to prevent operational delays. Supervise completeness and working efficiency of operative setup required, and direct other team members in carrying out specific duties.
• Ensures the patients are properly prepared for surgery by checking chart completeness, check consents, and pre-op assessments, and makes sure that necessary forms are present for anesthesia and the circulating nurses. Informs the appropriate persons when any abnormal findings are identified.
• Promotes physical comfort and safety in lifting and positioning patients by demonstrating the knowledge of circulatory and respiratory functioning. Apply safety strap to each patient. Prepare operative skin area. Administrative medications and other therapeutic proceedings. Comforts identified patient fears by giving concise explanations and reassurances, by staying with the patient and by providing a quiet environment in the pre-op area.
• Prepares operative skin, administers medication and other therapeutic proceedings and observes the patient’s response quickly notifying appropriate party of significant change.
• Recognizes and intervenes in life threatening emergencies, including the administration of emergency drugs, and defibrillator or other emergency treatment.
• Ensures sterility of all equipment and surgical supplies. Monitors sterile technique and handles breaks in technique appropriately. Ensures that all equipment and supplies are available and in working order for each case. Follows policy and procedure for handling instruments, sponges, and skin closures/sutures. Anticipates surgeon’s requirements and assists physician as necessary with procedures.
• Follow established regulation and techniques in handling instruments, sponges, sutures and other items. Report and record data required for hospital, patient, and nursing records.
• Assists in directing and teaching paramedical team members including volunteers.
• Handles tissue as directed by the surgeon during surgical cases.
• Provides exposure through appropriate use of instruments, retractors, suctioning and sponging techniques. Tie sutures on fascia. Sutures subcutaneous and skin tissue. Provides mechanical, thermal and chemical hemostasis.
• All other duties as assigned by department.

Required education:

• Associates degree in Nursing
• Successful completion of post-graduate Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) program required upon hire.

Required experience: 

• 2 years of Operating Room experience