The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is a perioperative nurse who works in collaboration with the surgeon and other healthcare team members to achieve optimal patient outcomes. The RNFA reports to and is scheduled by Surgical Services Leadership; however, during the assisting phase and until conclusion of the operative procedure, the RNFA performs duties under the direction of the surgeon. Perioperative Registered Nurse who works in collaboration with the surgeon and healthcare team, functions under the direction of the surgeon during the first-assist phase, and may support approved service lines based on departmental need, competency, and privileging. The RNFA does not function concurrently as the scrub nurse or circulator while performing the first-assist role.

• Provides a safe therapeutic core by collaboration with the surgeons and health care team in performing a safe operation with optimal outcomes for the patient. The RNFA practices preoperative nursing and must have acquired the necessary knowledge, skills and judgment specific to clinical practiceCollects and interprets complex assessment data, recognizes subtle changes in the patient
• Formulates an individualized plan of care for the patient with complex needs to achieve desired outcomesShares data with team and supports team with surgeon. Gets procedure questions asked and helps to set up for correct procedures
• Makes clinical decisions based on experience, patient population data, and intuition, promotes the development of clinical decision making of all team members.Advocates patient rights from the patient/family perspective: provides counsel and acts as a resource to resolve issue
• Provides validation of clinical decision for other staff members, seeks validation from others for complex patients or unfamiliar situations
• Acts as a team leader in coordinating the care of the patient, and the team process
• Collaborates with the health care team and other disciplines to meet the desired outcomes
• Teamwork-Communicates effectively and works cooperatively with others. Has respect for and understanding of other clinical disciplines. Uses an integrated approach toward patient outcomesDemonstrates effective communication skills and seeks out opportunities to improve communication among health care team members/patients/families
• Delegates patient care activities to other health care team members and redirects unit activities ass patient acuity and census changes
• Actively participates as a member of the CVOR team and CVOR committeesWorks to implement practice initiatives in a positive and productive manner
• Able to perform in the Charge Nurse role by coordinating the staff and surgery schedule and handling day to day issues with positive outcomes
• Able to fill in as needed on the staffing schedule. Helps with lunches and breaks
• The RNFA acts as a team leader or participant in the quality improvement process. Actively identify areas and explores alternatives to care or practice. Recommends revisions to standards or cost initiatives as needed.

We are not currently accepting new graduate or new to speciality applications.   Our next posting period will be July 1, 2026 for an October 16, 2026 start date.  Positions can be found under National Resident RN (<12 months experience as an RN) or RN Transition/Fellowship (>12 months experience as an RN.

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This position is represented by CNA and is covered by the terms and conditions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement

Required

• 5 Years of Perioperative Nursing practice as both a scrub and circulating nurse upon hire 
• If less years of experience, 3 recommendations from practicing Surgeons and demonstrated clinical practice
• Successful completion of an RFNA program that meets Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) recommended education standards for RN First Assistant programs
• Current and active Registered Nurse: CA
• AHA Basic Life Support / Advanced Cardiac Life Support
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Preferred

• Bachelors Of Nursing Two thousand (2,000) hours of RNFA practice, upon hire and
• May have endovein harvesting, radial artery harvesting, or saphenous vein harvesting experience
• Other Experience supporting multiple surgical specialties based on department and patient care needs
• Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant, upon hire

Founded in 1926, Dignity Health - Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center is a 334-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital. Serving over 70,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including a Level III NICU, heart care, wound care and surgical services. Additionally, Glendale Memorial Hospital has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center and a SRC Center of Excellence for Robotic Surgery and Colorectal Surgery.

One Community. One Mission. One California