Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA)

Grand River Hospital; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) is seeking a Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) to join the operating room team on a temporary full-time basis. The role supports perioperative care under surgeon supervision, contributing to high-quality patient outcomes.

The RNFA will collaborate with surgeons and staff across preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases, ensuring patient safety and care continuity. Ontario nursing credentials and RNFA certification are required.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Completion of RNFA program and certification.
• Minimum 3–5 years open heart surgery experience.
• Current BCLS certification.
• Registration with Ontario College of Nurses required.

Responsibilities

• Assist surgeon and team during pre-, intra-, and post-operative phases as an RNFA.
• Provide perioperative assessment and planning in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
• Document patient care accurately and coordinate with RPNs as needed.
• Participate in rounds, discharge planning, and patient education.

Skills

Open heart surgery

Advanced perioperative nursing

Critical thinking

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Communication skills

Nursing process

Education

BSN

RNFA certification

CPN/CNOR

BCLS

Ontario RN registration

Tools

EMR systems

Intraoperative equipment

Job description

Welcome to health care that soars above. Welcome to WRHN.

Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) (Job ID: 7154)

Work Type: Temporary Full Time

Location: WRHN @ Queen’s Blvd (formerly St. Mary’s General Hospital Campus)

Home to seven regional programs and comprehensive health-care services, Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) is committed to meeting the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond.

WRHN is redefining the health-care experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered community-driven health care.

At WRHN, every patient is at the centre of everything we do as we strive to improve lives, inspire healing, and build healthier, stronger communities. By listening to patients and partners, we strive to connect communities to the right care, at the right place, and at the right time.

Please Note: New employees must provide documentation/proof of COVID-19 vaccination status, a 2-step TB test, as well as proof of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) prior to their start date at Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN). New Employees will require clearance from Employee Health, Safety and Wellness before they are able to begin any position within WRHN.

Position Summary

The Operating Room Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) as a multidisciplinary team member, is an experienced peri-operative nurse who functions at an advanced level of peri-operative practice and has acquired specific knowledge, skills and judgment specific to clinical practice. In collaboration with, and under the direction of the surgeon, the RNFA provides assistance to the surgeon and team during the pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative phase.

The Registered Nurse (RN) utilizes the nursing process, critical thinking and problem solving skills to provide holistic care to individuals, families, groups, communities and populations across the life span. The RN assumes responsibility and accountability for developing and coordinating an individualized patient care plan in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, patient and family. RN's provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members. The RN is accountable and responsible for his/her own actions and adheres to the practice standards outlined by the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Responsibilities

Perioperative Assessment

• Provides initial and ongoing assessment and interpretation of patient’s health status within the framework of professional nursing practice, and in accordance with the principles of patient and family centered care.
• Assesses and interpretes information regarding the patient’s culture and values system, healthcare goals, and their desire to participate in their care.
• Assesses patient goals for care / discharge and ensures supports are in place to facilitate the achievement of these goals.
• Apply knowledge of surgical anatomy and physiology.
• Administer medications as directed by the surgeon and anesthesiologist.
• Participate in the scope of preoperative practice including chart reviews, evaluation for conduit, Allen’s test, Skin and wash assessment, patient/family teaching.

Intervention

• Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with patient and their families.
• Develops a comprehensive, individualized plan of care in collaboration with the patient, their family, and the interdisciplinary team.
• Implements patient care interventions within professional scope of practice and as ordered by the most responsible physician.
• Participates at interdisciplinary team rounds, patient care conferences, and discharge planning meetings.
• Utilizes educational materials to support patients understanding of their health care, health promotion, and/or health maintenance, and the enhancement of their individual wellbeing.
• Liaises with other providers in the community to ensure a smooth transition across the care continuum.

Evaluation and Professional Practice

• Ensures the implementation, coordination and ongoing evaluation of the patient or client care plan including the documentation of patient’s responses to interventions and achievement of expected outcomes.
• Documents complete, accurate and relevant information.
• Ensures an appropriate assignment of patient care to the Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) and collaborates as requested/required by patient acuity.
• Evaluates patient outcomes, engages in patient education, and conducts regular patient visits.
• Supports the orientation of new staff and students to the service or unit by sharing his/her nursing knowledge and contributing to a supportive learning environment.
• Reflects and identifies gaps in his/her knowledge
• Develops a learning plan to facilitate skill acquisition and continued professional growth.

Advocacy and Safety

• Advocates for and supports the principles of patient and family centered care.
• Assists patient and families, to become aware of issues relevant to their health care needs and provides information on resources and services within the health care system.
• Practices infection control standards and precautions to promote safety
• Participates in and supports activities related to professional practice, quality improvement and patient safety.
• Promotes a safe work environment by identifying and resolving potential risk issues.

Position Requirements

• Graduate of a Registered Nurse Program approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Completion of a Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS).
• Registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Completion of a recognized Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) program.
• Current certification in Perioperative Nursing – CPN (C) or, CNOR equivalent.
• Minimum three (3) – five (5) years open heart surgery experience.
• Minimum one (1) - two (2) years’ experience in an acute care hospital.
• Knowledge and understanding of the legislation and standards relevant to nursing and the practice area including knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology and operative technique relative to cardiovascular surgical procedures.
• Knowledge and understanding in the biological, psycho-social and nursing sciences required to meet the needs of patients presenting with complex problems and needs.
• Sound judgment and the ability to use research to inform decision-making and professional practice.
• Ability to recognize the significance of and links between a wide range of signs, symptoms or responses in order to manage the care of complex, acutely ill patients with the goal of achieving positive outcomes.
• Ability to work with a wide variety of technologies and medical equipment used in the management of patient care including basic key boarding skills for documenting electronically.
• Advanced assessment skills with the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources.
• Demonstrated competency in nursing skills associated with the practice environment.
• Advanced communication skills with the ability to adapt communication styles to meet the needs of the specific patients and other health care team members.
• Ability to handle high levels of stress associated with emergencies and medical conditions and effectively multi-task in a complex and fast-paced environment.

Preferred Requirements

• Completion of an Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification.
• Dedicated commitment to life-long learning and commitment to continually improving their nursing practice by engaging in practice reflection, and by setting and achieving learning goals.
• Acute care clinical experience in area of hire.

Salary: Negotiable

Waterloo Regional Health Network is committed to fair and equitable employment and in our recruitment and selection practices. We strongly believe in inclusion and diversity within our organization, and welcome all applicants including, but not limited to racialized communities, all religions and ethnicities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, Indigenous people, and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of our Hospital community. We are committed to providing and fostering a respectful workplace for all employees, free from violence and harassment.

Accommodations are available during all stages of the recruitment process in accordance with the Human Rights Code. WRHN is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) to provide an inclusive, barrier free workplace. We will accommodate the accessibility needs of individuals with disabilities to support participation in all aspects of the recruitment process. Should you require this accommodation, please contact Human Resources.

International Applicants: If you are seeking employment on a temporary work or study permit we recommend reviewing work permit restrictions as it applies to healthcare organizations in Canada. Individuals holding a work or study permit seeking employment in the healthcare sector may be required to complete additional steps in the process. This may also apply to current employees seeking renewal of their work permits. It is the accountability of the applicant and/or employee to ensure they are adhering to their specific work permit restrictions.

We would like to thank all candidates in advance for their interest and only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Due to the volume of applications, we receive, we are unable to confirm the receipt of individual applications or resumes.