RN - First Assist

BJC HealthCare; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

BJC HealthCare’s Christian Hospital seeks a skilled RNFA to function as first assistant in the operating room, collaborating with surgeons and the perioperative team to ensure safe, efficient patient care. The role requires direct patient care, focused nursing assessments, and active participation in planning and evaluating procedures.

The RNFA works with colleagues to meet quality standards, maintains ethical practice, and contributes to the professional growth of the perioperative workforce.

Qualifications

• RN with Nursing Diploma or Associate's degree.
• 2–5 years of perioperative experience preferred.
• Certified First Assistant and CNOR certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Delivers intraoperative patient care as first assistant to the surgeon(s).
• Works with perioperative team to plan and evaluate patient care.
• Monitors patient response; administers medications per nursing practice.
• Contributes to ongoing professional development and practice standards.

Skills

Perioperative nursing

First assistant in OR

Team collaboration

Patient assessment

Education

Nursing Diploma/Associate's

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing

Tools

Certified First Assistant

CNOR

RN License

Job description

Additional Information About the Role

Additional Preferred Requirements

Overview

Christian Hospital has been serving St. Louis and the surrounding metro areas since 1903. U.S. News & World Report ranks Christian Hospital No. 5 in St. Louis for overall clinical excellence and No. 9 in Missouri, which puts us in the top 6% of all hospitals in the state!

The U.S. News adult methodology ranks clinical specialties and rates common care procedures and conditions. Christian was nationally ranked as “high performing” in the clinical specialty of geriatrics and in the following seven of 21 common procedures and conditions: heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, diabetes, COPD, pneumonia and stroke. High performing in a specialty means we were in the top 10% nationally of all evaluated hospitals for that specialty or procedure and condition.

Northwest HealthCare, six miles west of Christian, offers 24- hour emergency care, the Sleep Disorders Center and a variety of outpatient diagnostic and imaging services.

Contracted services providing assistance to the Surgeon in the Operating Room. Part of the Surgical team the Surgical Assistant has accepted responsibilities to work as a team member in the operating room.

Preferred Qualifications

Role Purpose

Performs an expanded perioperative role as a first assistant to surgeons during surgical procedures in the operating room. RNFA works alongside the surgeon to provide direct patient care. Works as a professional colleague with the perioperative team and collaborates with the patient-designated support person, and other health care providers when making decisions to plan care.

Responsibilities

• Delivers intraoperative patient care as the first assistant to the surgeon(s) as a collaborative team member. Pre-operatively performs a focused nursing assessment in reference to planned procedure. Analyzes the assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis. Identifies and communicates desired patient outcomes throughout the perioperative continuum.
• Functions as a member of the surgical team and contribute to the overall efficiency of the peri-operative department. Considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, efficiency, the environments, and the cost in planning, delivering, and evaluating patient care.
• Monitors patients response and modifies plan of care accordingly. Administers Medications according to standard nursing practice. Develops and manages an individual plan of care that directs the intervention(s) of the RNFA. Implements, manages, and coordinates the perioperative plan of care related to RNFA interventions. Evaluates patient progress towards attaining outcomes. Systematically evaluates quality of nursing practice.
• Participates in professional development and life long learning. Seeks out and participates in learning opportunities. Evaluates their practice in context with current professional practice standards, rules and regulations. Contributes to the professional growth of peers, colleagues and others.
• Integrates knowledge, skills, and experiences to meet the needs of patients and families throughout the continuum to include patient and family education. Incorporates research findings into practice. Practices in an ethical manner using available resources to formulate ethical decisions. Advocates for individuals and groups related to perioperative health safety. Provides leadership in the profession and professional practice setting.

Minimum Requirements

Education

• Nursing Diploma/Associate's
• - Nursing

Experience

• 2-5 years

Supervisor Experience

• No Experience

Licenses & Certifications

• RN

Preferred Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's Degree
• - Nursing

Licenses & Certifications

• Certified First Assistant
• Cert Nurse OR (CNOR)
• CERTIFIED RN FIRST ASSIST

Benefits and Legal Statement

BJC Total Rewards

At BJC we’re committed to providing you and your family with benefits and resources to help you manage your physical, emotional, social and financial well-being.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vison, life insurance, and legal services available first day of the month after hire date
• Disability insurance* paid for by BJC
• Annual 4% BJC Automatic Retirement Contribution
• 401(k) plan with BJC match
• Tuition Assistance available on first day
• BJC Institute for Learning and Development
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off benefit combines vacation, sick days, holidays and personal time
• Adoption assistance

To learn more, go to our Benefits Summary.

*Not all benefits apply to all jobs

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Equal Opportunity Employer