OR Registered Nurse - First Assist

The Employee Connect; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 130,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The Employee Connect is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse First Assist for the Portland area, with on-site duties in Happy Valley and Oregon City. This permanent, direct-hire role offers strong compensation and a collaborative surgical team culture.

You will work as the first assistant to surgeons across various procedures, performing exposure, hemostasis, tissue handling and wound closure under guidance, with preoperative assessments and handoffs.

Qualifications

• Oregon RN license active or eligible to obtain before start.
• RNFA certification or completion of an accredited first assistant program.
• Solid perioperative nursing experience in an operating room setting.
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and wear protective equipment.
• Willingness to participate in call as scheduled.

Responsibilities

• Serve as first assistant to surgeons during a wide range of surgical procedures.
• Provide exposure, hemostasis, tissue handling, and wound closure under surgeon direction.
• Complete preoperative assessments and help prepare patients for surgery.
• Collaborate with circulating nurses, scrub staff, and anesthesia to maintain patient safety.
• Follow sterile technique, surgical counts, and time-out protocols on every case.
• Document intraoperative care accurately in the electronic health record.
• Support postoperative handoff and patient education as needed.

Skills

Perioperative nursing

RN First Assist experience

BLS

ACLS

Call coverage

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Tools

Epic EHR

Job description

OR Registered Nurse - First Assist

Location: Portland, OR area (worksite in Happy Valley and Oregon City, OR)

Shift/Schedule: Full-time, onsite, operating room schedule with call per department needs

Pay/Compensation: $129,792 – $183,269 per year (equivalent to $62.40 – $88.11 per hour)

About the Role

A leading regional healthcare provider known for patient-centric care is hiring experienced Registered Nurse First Assistants for its surgical services team. These nurses work directly alongside surgeons to deliver safe, efficient care before, during, and after surgery. The organization offers strong pay, stable full-time schedules, and a collaborative operating room culture.

The ideal candidate is an experienced perioperative nurse who has already worked as a first assistant and is confident across a variety of surgical specialties. You anticipate the surgeon's needs, protect patient safety at every step, and communicate clearly with the entire operating room team.

This is a permanent, direct-hire opportunity. Qualified candidates will be contacted promptly to review the role, answer questions, and discuss next steps in the interview process.

Core Responsibilities

• Serve as first assistant to surgeons during a wide range of surgical procedures
• Provide exposure, hemostasis, tissue handling, and wound closure under surgeon direction
• Complete preoperative assessments and help prepare patients for surgery
• Collaborate with circulating nurses, scrub staff, and anesthesia to maintain patient safety
• Follow sterile technique, surgical counts, and time-out protocols on every case
• Document intraoperative care accurately in the electronic health record
• Support postoperative handoff and patient education as needed

Required Qualifications

• Active Oregon Registered Nurse license, or eligibility to obtain before start
• RNFA certification or completion of an accredited first assistant program
• Solid perioperative nursing experience in an operating room setting
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications
• Ability to stand for extended periods and wear protective equipment
• Willingness to participate in call as scheduled

Preferred Qualifications

• CNOR certification
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• First assist experience across general, orthopedic, or vascular surgery
• Experience within a large integrated health system
• Epic electronic health record experience

Benefits & Pay

• Pay: $129,792 – $183,269 per year (equivalent to $62.40 – $88.11 per hour)
• Overtime eligible per hospital policy
• Two full-time openings with stable operating room schedules
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits through the employer
• Collaborative surgical team with strong nursing support
• Long-term career growth within a large health system

Screening Questions

1. Do you hold RNFA certification, and how many years have you worked as a first assistant?
2. Which surgical specialties have you first assisted in most often?
3. Do you hold, or are you eligible for, an Oregon Registered Nurse license?