The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is a Registered Nurse with specialized education and documented competency in perioperative nursing practice consistent with the RNFA Standards of Practice established by the Association of periOperative Nurses (AORN) through successful completion of a post-basic nursing education program whose intent is the preparation of registered nurses to practice as first assistants at the surgery.

RNFA provides direct patient care to surgical patients throughout the perioperative period.

The RNFA works in collaboration with the surgeon and other healthcare team members to achieve optimal patient outcomes; utilizes the necessary knowledge, judgment, and skills specific to the expanded role of RNFA clinical practice; and practices intraoperatively at the direction of the surgeon (AORN, 2017). Responsibilities include certain delegated medical functions that can be assumed by the RN who is qualified to practice as an RNFA, and has a hands-on role in surgical procedures by controlling bleeding, suturing incisions and wounds, and intervening if complications arise. They will monitor the patient’s vital signs, including heart rate, respiration, and pulse. RNFA responsibilities may vary depending on patient populations, practice environments, services provided, accessibility of human and fiscal resources, institutional policy, and state nursing regulations.

• Collects patient health data relevant to the operative or invasive procedure throughout the perioperative continuum.

• Assist Surgeons in both general and specialized surgeries and administrers medications and IV treatments as necessary

• Perform effectively in stressful & emergency situations and CPR certified; ACLS preferred

• Recognizes safety hazards and initiate appropriate preventive and corrective action in the surgical arena

• Establish and maintain a safe environment to protect the patient and the health care team by monitoring the patient (physiologically and psychologically) and the environment and by implementing safety procedures

• Analyzes the assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.

• Applies nursing knowledge as the basis for effective problem solving and decision making when providing perioperative patient care

• Instruct the patient and family to assist the patient in the achievement of optimal health status

• Review and analyze patient data; and communicates with other healthcare providers about the patient's plan of care.

• Administer medication under the direction of the surgeon

• Practices surgical procedures such as controlling bleeding, suturing incisions, draping, providing exposure, cutting tissue, and handling tissue

• Prepares all necessary supplies

• Position and prepare the patient on the OR table

• Performs post-operative assessments under the direction of the surgeon as needed

• Participates in research

• Performs CPR and other emergency measures as required

• Participates in the discharge planning and counsels patient and caregivers on appropriate post-operative care.And ensure doscumentation is complete, accurate and legible in all records required by federal and state law

• Will practice first assisting in accordance with professional standards, state and federal laws and regulations, and accreditation standards.

Minimally Required Experience:

2 years RN OR experience

Preferred Experience:

Scrubbing experience

Additional Information:

This position has a weekend, call, and holiday component.

You Belong At Baystate

At Baystate Health we know that treating one another with dignity and equity is what elevates respect for our patients and staff. It makes us not just an organization, but also a community where you belong. It is how we advance the care and enhance the lives of all people.

DIVERSE TEAMS. DIVERSE PATIENTS. DIVERSE LOCATIONS.

Education:

Bachelor of Nursing Degree (Required)

Certifications:

Basic Life Support - American Heart Association, Certified Nurse Operating Room - Competency and Credentialing Institute, Registered Nurse - State of Massachusetts

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Baystate Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.