RN-First Assistant

A Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) assists surgeons during operative procedures, performing advanced technical functions under the surgeon's supervision. This role includes pre , intra , and post operative nursing care to enhance surgical outcomes, improve efficiency, and maintain patient safety. 

Role & Responsibilities

Pre operative Duties

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments (e.g., history review, physical evaluation).
• Provide pre surgical patient/family education and teaching
• Ensure proper surgical positioning, preparation, and draping of the patient
• Intra operative Duties (as RN First Assistant)
• Provide surgical field exposure: use of retractors, suction, sponges.
• Achieve hemostasis: clamp, ligate vessels, use electrocautery, apply pressure
• Handle tissues appropriately, perform precise dissection (including vessel, muscle, fascia).
• Suture closures under supervision: peritoneum, fascia, subcuticular, skin
• Place drains when directed by the surgeon.
• May cannulate for cardiopulmonary bypass or assist in advanced specialties (e.g., CVOR, orthopedics, robotics)
• Maintain aseptic technique and instrument sterilization.
• Participate in instrument and sponge counts, uphold surgical safety protocols

Post operative Duties

• Apply and manage surgical dressings.
• Evaluate post operative patients for complications and provide teaching.
• Work with the team to ensure seamless transition of care.
• Document perioperative events in EMRs like Cerner, SurgiNet
• Collaboration & Leadership
• Coordinate and collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, scrub and circulating nurses, and perioperative staff
• Provide leadership in the OR, uphold professional nursing standards, and mentor junior staff
• Participate in continuous quality improvement (CQI), research, performance evaluations, and in services

Physical/Environmental Requirements

Sustain prolonged standing, lifting/positioning adult patients (?35lbs), and maintaining dexterity under sterile conditions

Exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and potentially hazardous materials

Qualifications

Required

1. Registered Nurse (RN) license, active and in good standingspecifically licensure in Illinois

2. Completion of an accredited RNFA program (didactic & clinical per AORN standards)

3. Perioperative nursing certification (CNOR) required before or shortly after hire

4. RNFA certification (CRNFA) from recognized board within 2 years of hire

5. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification includes CPR, AED, choking response

6. 2+ years OR experience as scrub or circulating RN

Preferred

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification

Experience across multiple surgical specialties (e.g., cardiothoracic, ortho, robotics)

Specialty training (e.g., robotics, perfusion assistance).

Experience with EMRs (e.g., Cerner, Meditech, SurgiNet)

Required Citizenship / Work Permit / Visa Status
US &GC