RN, First Assist-Ambulatory Surgery

Kaiser Permanente; Oregon City (OR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente Northwest is seeking an RN First Assistant to support the surgical team during intra-operative care in ambulatory centers. You will collaborate with surgeons to perform procedures, assist with instrument handling, positioning, and patient care throughout the case, ensuring adherence to AORN standards and facility protocols.

The role requires a valid Oregon RN license, ACLS/BLS, and RNFA credentials or active RNFA training; strong teamwork and sterile technique are essential for

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of intra-operative scrubbing and circulating experience.
• One (1) year of recent experience as an RNFA or completion of a CCI recognized RNFA course and agreement from ASC.
• Registered Nurse License (Oregon).
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• Basic Life Support
• Nurse Operating Room Certificate
• Meets all qualifications of an RNFA as outlined in AORN Position Statement.

Responsibilities

• Assist in intra-operative procedures under the direction of the attending surgeon.
• Prepare the operating room and assist with instruments, implants, and equipment needs.
• Maintain sterile technique, draping, and turnover; assist with patient positioning and transfers.
• Assist with end-of-case activities, including dressings and drainage management, and participate in briefing/time-out and debriefing.

Skills

Intra-operative nursing

RNFA collaboration

Patient care coordination

Sterile technique

Job description

Job Summary: Provides assistance to the surgical team during the intra-operative phase of surgical care for the Northwest Region Ambulatory Surgery Centers. Works in collaboration with the surgeon and health care team in the performance of surgical procedures, including assessment, planning, directing, providing and evaluating advanced nursing care.

Essential Responsibilities

Practice standards of performance: Pre-operative: Performs pre-operative assessment and evaluation if required. Collaborates with the surgical team on plan of care. Coordinate and communicate with circulator regarding equipment and implant needs for case, assist in obtaining.

Practice standards of performance: Intra-operative: Provides knowledge based technical assistance to the surgeon and operating room team during the operative procedure according to AORN standards, licensure, state regulation and facility/practice protocols, including: Use of instruments and medical devices. Providing surgical exposure. Handling and/or cutting tissue. Providing hemostatis, clamp, cut, and ligate tissue as directed by the surgeon. Suturing as directed by the surgeon.

Practice standards of performance: Post-Operative: Apply post-op splints and/or braces. During Anesthesia emergence, bring stretcher into room. Help transfer patient to stretcher. Remain in room for turnover unless specific instructions for Post-op care required in PACU.

Assessment Standard of Performance & Planning: Communicates information so that continuity of care is maintained. Communicates with patient, family and other staff in a professional and courteous manner. Obtains and demonstrates the skills and knowledge needed to provide appropriate population based and culturally sensitive care to patients and families through education, training and experience. Provides continuous reassessment through the intra operative period. Utilizes knowledge of type of procedure to plan for appropriate set up.

Practice standards of performance: Function as an assistant in all surgical specialties at the direction of the attending surgeon. Performs RNFA responsibilities in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act of the State of Oregon, institutional policies and procedures of Kaiser Permanente and the AORN Position Statement on RN First Assistants. Practice within limitations of preparation and experience. Demonstrate RNFA specific clinical skills. Review and update skills checklist on an ongoing basis as specified by policies of Kaiser Permanente. Assists with room preparation and opening of supplies in collaboration with the circulating nurse and scrub person. Have available patient X-rays/MRIs. Check image capture machine and films NOTE: Notify Team Lead or designee if films/MRIs etc. are not available. Assists in patient transport to the operating room and transfer to the operating room table. Assists in patient positioning. Assists in patient preparation, i.e., prepping, catheterization, clipping, as necessary. Participates in briefing/time out and debriefing. Assists in patient draping. Sets up ESU, lights, suction for the sterile field. Monitors free counted items on the sterile field. Observes for breaks in sterile technique and takes appropriate action as necessary. Assists with instrumentation and equipment as requested. Applies dressings and secures drainage tubes. Assists with patient transfer and positioning post operatively. Assists with room tear down and turn over in collaboration with the circulating nurse and scrub person. Assist in maintaining a safe environment and promoting efficiency in surgical procedures. Available for breaks and lunch relief, local monitor, scrub and circulate as needed.

Basic Qualifications

Experience

Two (2) years of intra-operative scrubbing and circulating experience.

One (1) year of recent experience, within the last two (2) years, as an RNFA or successful completion of a CCI recognized RNFA course and agreement from ASC.

EducationN/A

License, Certification, Registration

Registered Nurse License (Oregon)

Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Basic Life Support

Nurse Operating Room Certificate

Additional Requirements: Meets all qualifications of an RNFA as outlined in AORN Position Statement.

Preferred Qualifications

Two (2) to five (5) years of practice as an RNFA. CRNFA Certification preferred. Ability to assist on all cases performed within Surgical Services.