Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA)

A Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is a nursing professional who renders direct patient care as a part of the perioperative role by functioning as first assistant to the surgeon. The RNFA practices an expanded role of perioperative nursing and has acquired knowledge, skills, and judgment necessary to assist the surgeon, through organized instruction and supervised practice. The individual must acquire and/or demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span. As she/he also contributes to the perioperative team by assisting with scrub and circulating duties in the OR, she/he will be responsible to meet the requirements of the Operating Room RN position summary.

Primary (Essential) Duties

1. An RNFA implements technical assistance to the surgeon during operative procedures including:

a) Participates in the pre-operative assessment of the patient.

b) Provides hemostasis by clamping the blood vessels, coagulating bleeding points, using suture to tie off clamped blood vessels, place hemoclips or other ligating devices on vessels or tissue, and by

other means as directed and supervised by the surgeon.

c) Provides exposure through appropriate use of instruments, retractors, suctioning, sponging techniques and packs sponges into body cavities.

d) Handles tissue as directed by the surgeon.

e) Sutures, tying knots firmly to avoid slipping, using staples, clips, or other devices to approximate tissue as directed by the surgeon.

f) The RNFA may provide closure of the subcutaneous and skin without the surgeons assistance.

g) Places and sutures drains as directed.

h) The RNFA must be aware of his/her limitations and must remain within the scope of practice as defined by these policies and the Idaho Nurse Practice Act.

i) In the event the surgeon is unable to complete the operation, with the exception of subcutaneous and skin closure, a qualified physician shall be called to complete the operation.

j) Documents experiences needed to maintain competency as first assistant.

2. Identifies patient/family learning needs and implements appropriate measures when assisting responsibilities and time permits.

3. Documents role in patient care activities in a timely, accurate, and concise manner.

4. Participates in development of scheduling system for RNFA to assure absence of conflict.

5. Demonstrates an awareness of and sensitivity to patient and family rights.

6. Contributes to and participates in Quality Improvement and other appropriate committee activities.

7. Maintains a current knowledge regarding this specialty practice.

8. Consistently utilizes effective communication methods to promote patients/staff relationships and effect conflict resolution

9. Identifies and solves problems effectively and appropriately and includes others as necessary.

10. Functions in the circulating or scrub role when not scheduled in RNFA position.

11. Participates in charge establishment, product evaluation, cost containment, and ordering of supplies.

12. Participates in continuing education to meet professional development

13. Assists with staff education activities.

14. Continues to fulfill the minimum call requirements.

15. The above statements reflect general duties and shall not be considered a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

Minimum Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing

• Licensed (or licensure eligible) to practice as a Registered Nurse by the State of Idaho
• Required to provide documentation of completion of RNFA course.
• Three years perioperative RN experience required.
• CNOR certification required.
• Must meet requirements to obtain allied health privileges through medical staff credentialing.

Full-Time: 80-hrs per pay period

Hours: 7:30am - 5:00pm

Call Schedule: 1 day/week and 1 weekend/month ($4.00/hour while on call)

Call Back: minimum of 2-hours of pay when called in at time & one half

Shift Differential: (pay is based on majority of hours worked)

• Evening Shift (3pm 11:30pm) = 8%
• Night Shift (11:00pm 7:30am) = 11%
• No Weekend Differential