Registered Nurse – First Assist (RNFA)
Location: Happy Valley / Oregon City, Oregon
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Employment Type: Permanent
Schedule: Monday–Saturday, 6:45 AM–5:15 PM
Openings: 2
Compensation: $62.40–$88.11 per hour
Travel: No
About the Organization
Our organization is a leading integrated healthcare provider committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care across a broad network of medical facilities and services. The organization brings together physicians, nurses, specialists, and other healthcare professionals to provide coordinated care and improve patient outcomes.
The surgical services team is dedicated to maintaining high standards of clinical excellence, patient safety, and collaboration. This position will support surgical teams within the organization's Northwest Surgical Services region.
Job Summary
The Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) provides specialized assistance to the surgical team during the intra-operative phase of surgical care.
The RNFA works closely with surgeons and other members of the healthcare team to assess, plan, direct, provide, and evaluate advanced nursing care throughout surgical procedures.
The RNFA will participate in a regional on-call rotation and provide surgical assistance for elective, urgent, and emergent surgical cases.
Essential Responsibilities
Pre-Operative
- Perform pre-operative patient assessment and evaluation.
- Review the patient's chart and pertinent clinical information.
- Collaborate with the surgical team to establish the plan of care.
- Assist with patient transport and transfer to the operating room table.
- Assist with patient positioning and preparation.
- Assist with prepping, catheterization, shaving, and other preparation as required.
- Assist with room preparation in collaboration with the circulating nurse and scrub person.
- Ensure appropriate equipment, instruments, imaging, and supplies are available.
Intra-Operative
- Function as a surgical assistant across multiple surgical specialties under the direction of the attending surgeon.
- Provide technical assistance during surgical procedures in accordance with AORN standards, Oregon regulations, professional licensure, and organizational policies.
- Handle surgical instruments and medical devices.
- Provide surgical exposure.
- Handle and cut tissue as directed by the surgeon.
- Perform clamping, cutting, ligating, and suturing as directed by the surgeon.
- Provide and maintain hemostasis.
- Assist with patient draping.
- Set up electrosurgical units, lights, suction, and other equipment.
- Assist anesthesia personnel during induction as required.
- Participate in the pre-operative briefing and time-out process.
- Monitor free-counted items on the sterile field.
- Observe for breaks in sterile technique and take appropriate corrective action.
- Assist with instrumentation and equipment as requested.
- Maintain a safe, efficient, and organized surgical environment.
Post-Operative
- Apply dressings and secure drainage tubes.
- Assist with patient transfer and positioning following surgery.
- Assist with patient transfer from the operating room table.
- Assist with room teardown and turnover in collaboration with the circulating nurse and scrub person.
- Perform post-operative patient assessment according to facility protocols.
- Provide pre- and post-operative patient education when designated.
- Communicate patient information professionally to maintain continuity of care.
Clinical Practice Standards
- Practice within the scope of the Oregon Nurse Practice Act and applicable organizational policies and procedures.
- Follow AORN standards and the AORN Position Statement regarding RN First Assistants.
- Practice within the limitations of individual preparation, education, and experience.
- Demonstrate RNFA-specific clinical skills and competencies.
- Maintain and regularly update required RNFA skills checklists.
- Obtain and maintain the knowledge and skills necessary to provide appropriate, population-based, and culturally sensitive patient care.
- Communicate professionally and courteously with patients, families, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
- Provide continuous patient reassessment throughout the intra-operative period.
- Utilize knowledge of the surgical procedure to anticipate and prepare the appropriate surgical setup.
Required Qualifications
Experience
- Minimum of 2 years of perioperative scrubbing and circulating experience in an operating room setting, or
- Minimum of 1 year of RNFA experience in an operating room setting.
Education
- Successful completion of an AORN-recognized RNFA program.
- RNFA education must meet applicable AORN Recommended Education Standards for RN First Assistants and relevant certification/credentialing requirements.
Licensure & Certifications
- Active Oregon Registered Nurse (RN) license required.
- Operating Room / Perioperative Nursing certification as applicable.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
- Must meet all qualifications for an RNFA as outlined by applicable AORN standards.
- Must maintain required RN licensure and CNOR certification along with continuing education requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum 2 years of experience as an RNFA.
- CRNFA certification preferred.
- ACLS certification preferred/required upon hire or transfer, as applicable.
Additional Requirements
- Ability to function effectively as a first assistant across multiple surgical specialties.
- Strong knowledge of surgical procedures, instruments, and sterile technique.
- Ability to work collaboratively with surgeons, nurses, anesthesia personnel, and other members of the surgical team.
- Strong communication and clinical judgment skills.
- Ability to participate in the regional on-call rotation.
- Must be available for onsite work according to the required schedule.
Work Schedule
Monday through Saturday: 6:45 AM–5:15 PM
The selected candidate will also participate in a regional on-call rotation to provide assistance for elective, urgent, and emergent surgical procedures.
Work Location
Happy Valley / Oregon City, Oregon
This is an onsite position.