Registered Nurse (RN) First Assist - Full Time - Days

The University of Kansas Health System; Great Bend, Northern (KS, KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas Health System at Great Bend Hospital is seeking a Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) for a full-time days position. The RNFA supports the surgical team, assists with suturing, tissue exposure, and hemostasis, and maintains sterile technique throughout procedures.

Under the surgeon's direction, the RNFA coordinates intra-operative patient care, assists with instrument handling, and collaborates with physicians and staff.

Qualifications

• Requires Associate Degree in Nursing and 1+ years of surgery scrub experience.
• Preferred completion of an approved RN First Assistant program.
• Licensure: RN in state(s) of practice and CNOR/CRNFA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintains sterile environment and minimizes infection risk.
• Assists surgeon with suturing, exposure, and hemostasis as directed.
• Coordinates intra-operative patient care and plans care with the team.
• Performs duties as circulating nurse or scrub person as assigned.
• Precepts new employees and communicates with physicians and staff.

Skills

Aseptic technique

Suturing

Instruments handling

Patient advocacy

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing

RN First Assistant program (preferred)

Job description

Position Title: Registered Nurse (RN) First Assist - Full Time - Days

Great Bend Hospital Position Summary / Career Interest: The RNFA functions collaboratively as a member of the Surgery Team, coordinating intra-operative patient care for the surgical patients. The RNFA should be proficient in the use of and knowledgeable of instruments, equipment, and supplies used in the surgical setting. The RNFA assists the surgeon with various surgical duties to include suturing, tissue exposure, limited stapling, and hemostasis as directed by the surgeon. The duties and responsibilities of the RNFA are performed under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon who must be readily available. He/she participates in patient and family teaching, provides leadership by working cooperatively with other healthcare personnel, and maintains standards for professional nursing practice in the clinical setting.

Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

Demonstrates knowledge of and ability to maintain the sterile environment and to minimize potential for infection by:

• performing excellent aseptic technique
• ensuring sterility of items prior to placing on sterile field
• controlling traffic in/out of the OR suite
• prepping patient using proper technique
• observing for breaks in sterile technique
• good hand hygiene

Demonstrates responsibility for the care of the patient in the OR: plans patient care appropriate for each patient, acts as patient advocate and promotes safe care, communicates effectively with team members, directs team members with time management and necessary tasks, performs necessary requirements, manages room turnover efficiently.

Knowledgeable about surgical procedures and techniques: ensures proper supplies and equipment are available prior to the start of procedures and utilizes each appropriately, updates preference cards, accurately documents and charges appropriately, functions independently, and willingly precepts new employees. Acts professionally and communicates appropriately when interacting with patients, family members, nurses, and other medical professionals. Coordinates patient care through effective and professional communications with physicians, nursing, and ancillary staff. Handles specimens in a safe manner and according to policy. Assures all specimens are verified at the conclusion of the procedure, are properly labeled, and transported to the labeled in a timely manner. Functions in the role of the circulating nurse and/or scrub person as assigned.

Under the direction of the operating surgeon, demonstrates ability to:

• provide hemostasis by clamping blood vessels, coagulating bleeding points, ligating vessels
• provide exposure through appropriate use of instruments, retractors, suctioning, and sponging techniques
• handle of tissue
• perform sharp tissue dissection
• suture the fascia, subcutaneous tissue and skin.

May close the skin with automatic stapler.

Postoperatively evaluates the patient and may participate in post-operative activities such as suture or drain removal. Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department. These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

Associate Degree Nursing 1 or more years of surgery scrub experience

Preferred Education and Experience

Completion of an approved RN First Assistant program

Required Licensure and Certification

• Licensed Registered Nurse (LRN) - Single State - State Board of Nursing upon Hire
• OR Licensed Registered Nurse (LRN) - Multi-State - State Board of Nursing upon Hire
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - American Heart Association (AHA) within 120 Days
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - American Heart Association (AHA) within 120 Days
• CPR/AED/BLS - Other BLS within 14 days
• Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) - Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI) - (formerly Certification Board of Perioperative Nursing) within 1 Year

Preferred Licensure and Certification Certified RN First Assistant (CRNFA) - National Assistant at Surgery Certification (NASC)

Time Type: Full time

Important information for you to know as you apply

The health system is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally-protected status. See also Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

The health system provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need to request reasonable accommodations for your disability as you navigate the recruitment process, please let our recruiters know by requesting an Accommodation Request form using this link [e-mail].

Employment with the health system is contingent upon, among other things, agreeing to the health-system-dispute-resolution-program.pdf and signing the agreement to the DRP.

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About The University of Kansas Health System

As part of the region's premier academic medical center, The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City is a world-class healthcare provider and destination for complex care and diagnosis. We are driven by our commitment to service, continuous improvement and to the highest degree of excellence. Collaboration between physicians, nurses, researchers, educators and other professionals who share their expertise leads to exciting discoveries and life-changing treatments for the people we serve.

Job Requisition ID: R-55486