Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA)

University Health; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University Health seeks a capable RNFA to join the Surgery Service Line and collaborate with the supervising surgeon. The RNFA will function as a first assistant in surgery within an expanded perioperative circulating RN role, ensuring safe, competent care.

The position requires a baccalaureate degree, Texas RN license, ACLS, CNOR, and successful RNFA program completion per AORN standards; adherence to policies is mandatory.

Qualifications

• Must hold a baccalaureate degree; RNFA practice requires adherence to AORN standards and policies.
• Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in Texas with CNOR and ACLS certifications.
• Completion of an RNFA program that meets AORN RN first assistant education standards.

Responsibilities

• Act as RNFA in the perioperative environment under the supervising surgeon and expand circulating RN duties when not needed as RNFA.
• Provide surgical site exposure, tissue handling, hemostasis, suturing, and wound management per surgeon direction.
• Represent the OR with inter-professional decorum and comply with statutes, regulations, and institutional policies.

Skills

Perioperative nursing

RNFA role

Team collaboration

Education

Baccalaureate degree

Texas RN license

Tools

CNOR

ACLS

Job description

Serves as a team member of the Surgery Service Line by providing care in collaboration with the surgeon supervising surgeon. The RNFA practicing in the perioperative environment as a first assistant at surgery functions in an expanded perioperative Circulating RN role; must comply with all statutes, regulations, and institutional policies relevant to the RNFA who first assists at surgery; is required to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to provide safe, competent surgical first assistant services by completing a program that covers the content of the AORN Standards for RN First Assistant Education Programs; acquiring the necessary knowledge, judgment, and skills, to the expanded role of RNFA clinical practice; intraoperatively practices at the direction of the surgeon providing surgical site exposure, handling and/or cutting tissue, providing hemostasis, suturing, and wound management. Does not concurrently function as a scrub tech or circulator. Representatives the OR and exemplifies their inter-professional decorum by working synergistically with all members of the team. When not needed as an RNFA, they will be utilized in the Circulating role. Supports and maintains University Health mission, vision, and values.

EDUCATION

Must have a baccalaureate degree, with the exception that the RNFA practicing prior to January 1, 2020, may continue to practice at his or her existing level of education

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION

Must be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in Texas. Must maintain ACLS and certification in perioperative nursing (CNOR). Must have successfully completed an RNFA program that meets the “AORN standards for RN first assistant education programs and compliance with all applicable statutes, regulations, and institutional policies relevant to RNFAs.. Continued Competency the RNFA demonstrates behaviors that progress on a continuum from basic competency to excellence, maintains CNOR status, and is encouraged to achieve and maintain CRNFA certification when eligibility requirements have been met.