RN First Assist -Full Time, Surgical Services
The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) provides comprehensive perioperative nursing care throughout the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of the surgical experience. Working within the RNFA's scope of practice and established surgical protocols, the RNFA assists the surgeon during procedures by performing delegated technical skills, including tissue handling, surgical exposure, hemostasis, and wound closure.
The RNFA promotes safe, efficient, high-quality surgical care while collaborating closely with surgeons, anesthesia providers, perioperative nurses, and other members of the surgical team. This role plays an important part in supporting optimal patient outcomes and delivering exceptional care in the ambulatory surgical setting.
Education
Minimum: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and completion of an accredited RNFA program.
Preferred: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and CNOR certification.
License/Certifications
Minimum: Current New York State license to practice as a Professional Registered Nurse. RNFA certification or documented completion of an accredited RNFA educational program.
Certifications: BLS, ACLS, and PALS required at the time of hire/orientation.
Experience
Minimum: Two years of perioperative nursing experience.
Preferred: Previous experience as an OR circulating nurse and/or scrub nurse/technician.
Other
Minimum: The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is an advanced perioperative nursing role that collaborates with the surgeon and interdisciplinary team to promote optimal patient outcomes. This position provides direct intraoperative patient care while supporting surgical efficiency, patient safety, and quality outcomes. The RNFA role includes first-assisting responsibilities, as well as competency in circulating or scrub roles, with participation in call rotation as required. The RNFA may also support procedural or clinic-based activities, as applicable.
Preferred: Experience across multiple surgical specialties, such as General Surgery, Orthopedics, GI, Vascular, and ENT. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Customer Focus
Demonstrates behaviors consistent with the Healing Environment principles of professionalism, effective communication, and attentiveness to the environment. This is evidenced by work behaviors that ensure safety, promote dignity, respect, and well-being, and exemplify healthy relationships.
Population-Specific Requirements
The staff member must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development across the lifespan and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's age-specific requirements. The RNFA must be able to provide appropriate care to pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patient populations.
