Operating Room Registered Nurse – First Assist (RNFA)

Fox Point Recruitment LLC; Happy Valley (OR); On-site; USD 85,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Fox Point Recruitment LLC seeks an Operating Room Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) in Clackamas, OR to provide advanced intra-operative surgical care in the regional Surgical Services department, working with attending surgeons and the perioperative team.

Requires Oregon RN license, CNOR, BLS, and completion of an AORN RNFA program; two years perioperative scrub/circulating experience and one year RNFA experience; regional on-call rotation included.

Qualifications

• Certificate of Completion from an AORN-recognized RNFA program meeting AORN Recommended Education Standards.
• Active RN License in the State of Oregon.
• CNOR and BLS certifications required; continuing education credits to uphold CNOR and RN licensure.

Responsibilities

• Intra-Operative Surgical Assistance: Provide knowledge-based technical assistance across all surgical specialties as directed by the attending surgeon.
• Perioperative Patient Care & Workflow: Conduct pre-operative assessments and participate in pre-op briefings and Time Out procedures.
• Communication & Safety: Maintain safe environment and comply with Oregon Nurse Practice Act.

Education

Certificate of Completion from an AORN-recognized RNFA program

RN License in Oregon

CNOR credential

BLS certification

Job description

Job Title: Operating Room Registered Nurse - First Assist (RNFA)

Department: Healthcare / Regional Surgical Services

Location: Clackamas, OR (Serving Happy Valley, OR 97015 & Oregon City, OR 97045)

Employment Type: Regular / Standard (Individual Contributor)

Schedule: Mon-Sat, 06:45 AM - 05:15 PM (Participates in regional on-call rotation)

Compensation: $62.40 - $88.11 / hour (No additional variable compensation)

Travel: No

Relocation: Evaluated on a case-by-case basis

Work Authorization: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Position Summary

The Operating Room Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) provides direct advanced surgical care during the intra-operative phase for the regional Surgical Services department. Working in close collaboration with attending surgeons and the broader perioperative team, the RNFA delivers expert surgical assistance across elective, emergent, and urgent procedures. The ideal candidate will apply AORN standards, Oregon State licensure guidelines, and facility protocols across pre-operative assessment, intra-operative execution, and post-operative evaluation while participating in a regional on-call rotation.

Key Responsibilities

Intra-Operative Surgical Assistance

• Provide knowledge-based technical assistance across all surgical specialties at the direction of the attending surgeon.
• Execute advanced intra-operative techniques, including tissue handling, surgical exposure, hemostasis, clamping, cutting, ligating, and suturing tissue as directed.
• Operate surgical instruments and medical devices while ensuring continuous sterile technique.
• Set up light sources, electrosurgical units (ESU), and suction systems for the sterile field; monitor free counted items throughout the procedure.
• Apply surgical dressings, secure drainage tubes, and manage specialized instrumentation and equipment.

Perioperative Patient Care & Workflow

• Conduct pre-operative patient assessments and evaluations, collaborating on the individualized plan of care.
• Participate actively in pre-op briefings and surgical "Time Out" safety procedures.
• Assist with patient transport, transfer, positioning, prepping, catheterization, shaving, and draping.
• Assist Anesthesia during induction and ensure patient X-rays/imaging are brought into the suite (notifying the Charge Nurse if missing).
• Perform post-operative patient evaluations, transfer, positioning, and patient/family education as required.
• Partner with Circulating Nurses and Scrub personnel on room set-up, tear-down, and room turnover to maximize surgical suite efficiency.

Communication & Safety

• Maintain continuous reassessment throughout the intra-operative period to adapt setup and care plans based on procedure type.
• Provide population-based, culturally sensitive, and courteous communication to patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Maintain a safe surgical environment and strictly comply with institutional policies and the Oregon Nurse Practice Act.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Certifications

• Education: Certificate of Completion from an AORN-recognized RNFA program meeting AORN Recommended Education Standards and CB.PMN acceptance criteria.
• Licensure: Active Registered Nurse (RN) License in the State of Oregon.
• Certifications Required:
  • Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) credential.
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
  • Must maintain required Continuing Education credits to uphold CNOR and RN licensure.

Work Experience

• Minimum Required (Must-Have):
  • Minimum of two (2) years of perioperative scrubbing and circulating experience in an acute care Operating Room OR
  • Minimum of one (1) year of experience as an RNFA.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) or more years of active practice as an RNFA.
• Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) designation.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification upon hire/transfer.