RN First Assist

North Knoxville Medical Center; Powell (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

North Knoxville Medical Center is seeking an experienced RN First Assist (RNFA) to provide advanced perioperative nursing support across various surgical specialties. The role includes preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative responsibilities and requires collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes.

Ideal candidates will have 2–4 years of perioperative nursing and 1–2 years as an RNFA, with strong tissue handling, suturing, and wound management skills and a

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of perioperative nursing experience in an operating room setting.
• 1-2 years of experience as a certified RN First Assist providing intraoperative surgical assistance preferred.
• Current RN licensure and appropriate certifications.

Responsibilities

• Provides advanced surgical assistance to the operating surgeon, including tissue handling, suturing, and wound management.
• Collaborates with the surgical team to plan, implement, and evaluate individualized perioperative care plans.
• Maintains aseptic technique and adheres to infection control protocols.
• Assesses patient needs preoperatively and postoperatively, providing education and emotional support.
• Monitors intraoperative status and communicates effectively with the surgical team.
• Documents perioperative care accurately in organizational systems.
• Mentors nursing staff and students to promote best practices in perioperative care.
• Collaborates with units to provide RNFA support across procedures and patient populations.
• Performs other duties as assigned and adheres to attendance and policy standards.

Skills

Perioperative nursing

RN First Assist

Aseptic technique

Tools

Documentation systems

Job description

Job Summary

The RN First Assist (RNFA) provides advanced perioperative nursing care, assisting surgeons during operative procedures to ensure optimal patient outcomes. This role includes preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative responsibilities, supporting a variety of surgical specialties and units. The RNFA collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, utilizing advanced skills in tissue handling, wound management, and surgical techniques while maintaining compliance with regulatory and institutional standards.

Essential Functions

• Provides advanced surgical assistance to the operating surgeon, including tissue handling, suturing, and wound management.
• Collaborates with the surgical team to plan, implement, and evaluate individualized perioperative care plans.
• Ensures the operative field is maintained aseptically, adhering to infection control protocols and surgical standards.
• Assesses patient needs preoperatively and postoperatively, providing education and emotional support as needed.
• Monitors and manages intraoperative patient status, responding to changes and communicating effectively with the surgical team.
• Maintains accurate and thorough documentation of perioperative care in compliance with organizational policies.
• Provides mentorship and education to nursing staff and students, promoting best practices in perioperative care.
• Collaborates with various units and specialties to provide RNFA support tailored to specific surgical procedures and patient populations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of perioperative nursing experience in an operating room setting required
• 1-2 years of experience as a certified RN First Assist providing intraoperative surgical assistance preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of surgical techniques, aseptic principles, and perioperative nursing practices.
• Strong clinical decision-making and problem-solving skills in high-pressure environments.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in surgical instruments, technologies, and documentation systems.
• Commitment to patient safety and quality improvement in the surgical setting.

Licenses and Certifications

• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure required
• CRNFA - Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant required
• BCLS - Basic Life Support required
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support required
• CNOR - Certified Operating Room Nurse preferred