Demo

Surgical Assist, RNFA or Physician Assistant First Assist- OR

University Hospitals (SP)
Willoughby, OH Full Time
POSTED ON 8/7/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 10/6/2026

The Surgical Assistant works under the direction and supervision of the attending physician to provide aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure and other intraoperative technical functions that assist the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. Performs preoperative and postoperative duties to meet needs of the patient during the perioperative period. Provides technical 1st and 2nd assistance for surgical procedures.

When you join UH, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, which includes, but is not limited to:

  • Competitive salary
  • $5,000 sign on bonus
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Paid time off
  • Retirement and pension plans

Essential Functions

  • Provides intraoperative technical functions in all facets of the first assistant role.
  • Displays knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human body while delivering safe patient care.
  • Establishes and maintains a safe perioperative environment.
  • Supports the perioperative area or other duties as assigned per entity. 

The Physician Assistant (PA) is responsible for providing quality care for patients and increasing patient access and satisfaction. Standard tasks to be performed by a PA as specified by the Ohio State Board of Medicine and UH entity specific Medical Bylaws.

What You Will Do- PA

  • Initiates and maintains positive relationships w/pts/customers (10%)
  • Initiates and maintains positive relationships w/co-workers (10%)
  • Takes responsibility for self-development and supports a learning environment (10%)
  • Displays commitment to the mission of the hospital and its values (10%)
  • Performs patient assessment and assigns diagnosis based on recorded assessment data and current scientific and current research (20%)
  • Establishes plan of care and implements interventions in accordance w/carepaths, protocols, and standards of care and current research (15%)
  • Collaborates w/other health care providers in an interdisciplinary approach to provide care to the patient and family (5%)
  • Contributes to the educational development of staff, patients, family and self (5%)
  • Demonstrates progressive leadership and effective management (5%)
  • Provides education through role modeling and in-services to meet identified learning needs and to promote professionalism (5%)
  • Advances own professional development through self-directed learning, continuing education and participation in peer review (5%)

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities- PA

  • Demonstrated leadership skills. (Required proficiency)
  • Demonstrated skills in interpersonal relationships. (Required proficiency)
  • Computer skills to access patient medical data from UHHS mainframe. (Required proficiency)
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Outlook. (Required proficiency)
  • Demonstrated skills in related to Informatics Technology. (Required proficiency)
  • Lifting - Frequently (50 lbs)
  • Carrying - Frequently (50 lbs)
  • Pushing - Frequently (50 lbs)
  • Pulling - Frequently (50 lbs)

 The RNFA works under the supervision of the attending physician to assess manage and evaluate the surgical patient during the perioperative period. The RNFA provides technical 1st and 2nd assistance for surgical procedures.

What You Will Do- RNFA

  • Applies the nursing process in all facets of the nurse first assistant role.
  • Displays knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human body while delivering safe patient care.
  • Establishes and maintains a safe perioperative procedural environment.
  • Offers education development opportunities to residents, nursing staff, students and any other appropriate persons in the specific surgery and patient management.
  • Utilizes ongoing data collection perioperative, procedural, and follow-up information to aid in research care studies that promote effectiveness and quality of patient care.

Skills and Abilities- RNFA

  • Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, proper use of all instruments and equipment used during CT surgery procedures. (Required proficiency)
  • High degree of hand/eye coordination and uniform mental attention (Required proficiency)

Required For All Jobs

  • Performs other duties as assigned.
  • Complies with all policies and standards.
  • For specific duties and responsibilities, refer to documentation provided by the department during orientation.
  • Must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace.

Qualifications

Education- Surgical Assistants

  • Completion of an accredited Surgical Assistant Program or an equivalent program that meets the educational requirements of the designated national certifying body. (Required)

Education- Physician Assistants

  • Master's Degree from an accredited PA educational program – Required

Education Qualifications- RNFA

  • Graduation from an accredited RN Program -Required
  • Completion of state approved RNFA program -Required

Licenses and Certifications- RNFA

  • Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) authorized by the Ohio Board of Nursing to practice as a registered nurse first assistant prior to April 1, 1998 and who holds as of October 1, 1998 certification as a CNOR. (Required)

Work Experience- Surgical Assistants

  • Physician relations experience -Strongly Preferred 

Work Experience- Physician Assistant

  • 1 years as a PA -Strongly Preferred

Experience Qualifications- RNFA

  • 2 years Perioperative nursing experience -Required

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

  • Excellent interpersonal skills-Required
  • Detail oriented with excellent organizational and analytical skills-Required
  • Demonstrated skills related to Informatics Technology-Required
  • Working knowledge of equipment with the ability to troubleshoot issues for resolution. -Required

Additional Licenses and Certifications- Surgical Assistant

  • National Certification Required
  • National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Required
  • Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA) Required

Licenses and Certifications-Physician Assistant

  • Physician Assistant (PA) (Required)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) (Required)
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) (Preferred)
  • Passed the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (Required)
  • Practice with a supervising physician (Required Upon Hire)
  • Maintain national PA Certification (Required)
  • Practice with a supervising physician (Required Upon Hire)
  • Crawling Occasionally
  • Reaching Frequently
  • Handling Frequently
  • Grasping Frequently
  • Feeling Constantly
  • Talking Constantly
  • Hearing Constantly
  • Repetitive Motions Constantly
  • Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Constantly
  • Lifting - Frequently (50 lbs)
  • Carrying - Frequently (50 lbs)
  • Pushing - Frequently (50 lbs)
  • Pulling - Frequently (50 lbs)

Physical Demands for all positions

  • Standing Frequently
  • Walking Frequently
  • Sitting Rarely
  • Lifting Frequently 50 lbs
  • Carrying Frequently 50 lbs
  • Pushing Frequently 50 lbs
  • Pulling Frequently 50 lbs
  • Climbing Occasionally 50 lbs
  • Balancing Occasionally
  • Stooping Frequently
  • Kneeling Frequently
  • Crouching Frequently
  • Crawling Occasionally
  • Reaching Frequently
  • Handling Frequently
  • Grasping Frequently
  • Feeling Constantly
  • Talking Constantly
  • Hearing Constantly
  • Repetitive Motions Constantly
  • Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Constantly

Salary.com Estimation for Surgical Assist, RNFA or Physician Assistant First Assist- OR in Willoughby, OH
$120,021 to $145,517
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Surgical Assist, RNFA or Physician Assistant First Assist- OR?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Surgical Assist, RNFA or Physician Assistant First Assist- OR career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$100,218 - $122,841
Income Estimation: 
$103,451 - $147,195
Income Estimation: 
$140,279 - $184,407
Income Estimation: 
$95,686 - $120,121
Income Estimation: 
$116,256 - $149,125
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at University Hospitals (SP)

  • University Hospitals (SP) Shaker Heights, OH
  • Be the First Connection to Care At University Hospitals, our mission is to heal, teach, and discover. Care Connections plays a critical role in that missio... more
  • Just Posted

  • University Hospitals (SP) Cleveland, OH
  • What You Will Do Must exhibit competency in working with patients of various age groups to demonstrate the mission, vision and values of UHCMC, as well as ... more
  • Just Posted

  • University Hospitals (SP) Cleveland, OH
  • Description - External A Brief Overview The CardioThoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU) is a 20-bed intensive care unit where we care for many complex medic... more
  • Just Posted

  • University Hospitals (SP) Cleveland, OH
  • The UH Cleveland Medical Center ED is Level 1 Trauma Center, Accredited Chest Pain Center, and Comprehensive Stroke Center, We have 45 beds including 4 tra... more
  • Just Posted


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Surgical Assist, RNFA or Physician Assistant First Assist- OR jobs in the Willoughby, OH area that may be a better fit.

  • University Hospitals (SP) Willoughby, OH
  • The Surgical Assistant works under the direction and supervision of the attending physician to provide aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure and other intra... more
  • 1 Month Ago

  • University Hospitals Willoughby, OH
  • The Surgical Assistant works under the direction and supervision of the attending physician to provide aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure and other intra... more
  • 4 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!