Registered Nurse – First Assist, Clackamas

Registered Nurse – First Assist

Location: Happy Valley, Oregon, United States

Job Summary

Northwest Surgical Services is seeking a Registered Nurse – First Assist (RNFA) to join our team in Happy Valley, Oregon. The RNFA provides essential assistance to the surgical team during the intra-operative phase of care. This role involves close collaboration with the surgeon and healthcare team to perform surgical procedures, including patient assessment, care planning, and evaluation of advanced nursing care. All RNFAs will participate in a regional on-call rotation to provide surgical assistance for elective, emergent, and urgent surgical cases.

Essential Responsibilities

Pre-operative Phase

• Perform pre-operative assessments and evaluations.
• Review patient charts for pertinent data.
• Collaborate with the surgical team on the plan of care.
• Assist with room preparation, patient transport, patient transfer to the operating table, and patient positioning.
• Assist with patient preparation (e.g., prepping, catheterization, shaving) as necessary.
• Assist with patient draping.
• Set up ESU, lights, and suction for the sterile field.
• Participate in the pre-operative briefing and time-out process.

Intra-operative Phase

• Provide technical assistance to the surgeon during operative procedures, adhering to AORN standards, licensure, state regulations, and facility protocols.
• Assist with surgical exposure, tissue handling, hemostasis, clamping, cutting, ligating, and suturing as directed by the surgeon.
• Utilize instruments and medical devices effectively.
• Monitor the sterile field for counted items and breaks in sterile technique, taking appropriate action.
• Assist with instrumentation and equipment as requested.
• Provide assistance to Anesthesia during induction.
• Continuously reassess the patient throughout the intra-operative period.

Post-operative Phase

• Evaluate patient status post-operatively according to facility protocols.
• Apply dressings and secure drainage tubes.
• Assist with room teardown and turnover.

Assessment, Planning, and Communication

• Ensure continuity of care through effective communication with the surgical team, patients, and families.
• Communicate in a professional and courteous manner.
• Provide culturally sensitive care, demonstrating the necessary skills and knowledge for patients and families through education, training, and experience.
• Plan for appropriate setup based on the type of surgical procedure.
• Provide designated pre- and post-operative patient education.

General Responsibilities and Standards

• Function as an assistant in all surgical specialties at the direction of the attending surgeon.
• Adhere to the Nurse Practice Act of the State of Oregon, institutional policies, and AORN Position Statement on RN First Assistants.
• Practice within the scope of preparation and experience.
• Demonstrate RNFA-specific clinical skills.
• Review and update the skills checklist as per Kaiser Permanente policies.
• Contribute to maintaining a safe environment and promoting efficiency during surgical procedures.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of two (2) years of peri-operative scrubbing and circulating experience in a Kaiser Permanente operating room (OR), or one (1) year of experience as an RNFA (inside or outside of Kaiser Permanente).
• Completion of an AORN-recognized RNFA course, meeting AORN Recommended Education Standards for RNFA and criteria for relevant RNFA certification.
• Current Registered Nurse license in Oregon.
• Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) or equivalent.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Additional Requirements

• Meet all qualifications of an RNFA as outlined in the AORN Position Statement.
• Maintain RN licensure and CNOR certification, including required continuing education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of two (2) years of practice as an RNFA.
• Certified RN First Assistant (CRNFA) certification.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification preferred upon hire or transfer.

Employee Status: Regular Travel: No Job Level: Individual Contributor Job Type: Standard