SCHEDULE

FTE: .9

The Surgery Department is looking for a team oriented, motivated person to join our OR team. Department hours are Monday - Friday, with rotating call coverage on nights, weekends and holidays.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

• The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA), is a Registered Nurse who works in collaboration with the surgeon and other health care team members to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

• Has the necessary knowledge, judgment, and skills specific to the expanded role of RNFA clinical practice.

• Intraoperatively practices at the direction of the surgeon.

• Does not function as the scrub person or circulator while practicing as the RNFA.

• In keeping with Chapter 6 of the Iowa Nursing Practice Act for Registered Nurses, the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice for Nursing and the ANA Code of Ethics for Nursing, the professional nurse assumes responsibility and accountability for the delivery of nursing care at Waverly Health Center. The Registered Nurse is responsible for assessing, delegating, and coordinating nursing care based on the patient’s problem and needs, by initiating the nursing process in the everyday practice of nursing.

• Utilizes substantial specialized judgment and skill in providing direct and indirect patient care, observation, and counsel to patients and family, and accepts responsibility for the total nursing care of assigned patients.

• Communicates with providers, manager, and/or other healthcare team members about changes in patients’ clinical condition, including results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology.

• Assists with the clinical development of other nursing department staff members by serving as both mentor and consultant.

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education, Experience, and Training

• Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing and currently licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in Iowa.

• Minimum of 2 years of recent surgical nursing experience

• Baccalaureate degree in nursing preferred.

• Demonstrated proficiency in the scrub and circulating roles

• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in applying principles of aseptic technique

• Demonstrated knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique related to first assisting

• Demonstrated ability to recognize safety hazards and to initiate appropriate preventative and corrective action

• Demonstrates competence in the intra-operative performance of the following surgical first assisting techniques:

• Handling, dissecting, or cutting of tissue under the direction of the operating surgeon

• Safely using and handling of surgical equipment and instruments

• Providing hemostasis

• Wound management

• Suturing under the direction of the operating surgeon

• Providing appropriate surgical site exposure

• Maintains certification in perioperative nursing (CNOR)

• Successful course completion of additional educational preparation specific to the role of RNFA including a supervised clinical component.

• Completes credentialing process and maintains clinical hospital privileges

• Must possess valid Mandatory Reporter training for Child and Dependent Adult Abuse.

• Must be able to read, speak, and write fluent English.

• Physical Requirements

• Sitting – Approximately 25% of shift.

• Standing – Approximately 50% of shift.

• Walking – Approximately 50% of shift.

• Lifting – Approximately 35 pounds. Must use, and require staff to use, when in hospital and/or pre-hospital settings, proper body mechanics and ergonomics and, as applicable, lifting/moving devices.

• Twisting – Infrequent.

• Bending – Moderate.

• Squat/Kneel – Approximately 25% of shift.