RN-First Assistant

A Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) assists surgeons during operative procedures performing advanced technical functions under the surgeons supervision. This role includes pre intra and post operative nursing care to enhance surgical outcomes improve efficiency and maintain patient safety. This position is Full Time Monday - Friday shifts starting at 6:30/7:00am may require on-call rotation or call coverage

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)

Benefits:

401(k)

401(k) matching (4%)

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Medical specialties:

Surgery

Physical setting:

Operating Room

Work Location: In person

Required Skills:

REGISTERED NURSESURGINET