Registered Nurse First Assistant - Operating Room - 0.75 FTE - Variable

Job Summary

Under the general supervision and direction of the Nurse manager or designated Charge Nurse, works in collaboration with the surgeon and other health care team members to achieve optimal patient outcomes.  The RN First Assist will have acquired the necessary knowledge, judgment and skills specific to the expanded role of RNFA clinical practice; intraoperatively practices at the direction of the surgeon; and does not concurrently function as a scrub person.

Core Job Responsibilities

Collects patient health data relevant to the operative or invasive procedure throughout the perioperative continuum.  Preoperatively performs a focused nursing assessment in reference to planned procedure.  Intraoperatively assesses patient, wound, and sterile field.  Monitors and assesses patient's postoperative status to determine progress toward expected outcomes or signs and symptoms of postoperative complications.

Analyzes the assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.  Formulates and modifies nursing diagnoses based on relevant patient data throughout the perioperative continuum s applicable to RNFA interventions.

Identifies and communicates desired patient outcomes throughout the perioperative continuum.  Establishes individualized outcomes in collaboration with patient, designated support person or health care providers based on the identified nursing diagnoses as applicable to RNFA interventions.

Develops and manages an individualized plan of care that directs the interventions of the RNFA.  Establishes individualized outcomes in collaboration with patient, designated support person or health care providers based on the identified nursing diagnoses as applicable to RNFA interventions.  Analyzes and modifies poster operative patient outcomes compared to baseline nursing assessment.

Implements, manages, and coordinates the perioperative plan of care related to RNFA interventions.  Coordinates and manages patient care throughout the perioperative continuum consistent with RNFA practice.  Delegates tasks and functions according to organizational policy, applicable laws, regulations, and standards, taking into consideration the competency of the assignee.  Applies nursing knowledge as the basis for effective problem solving and decision making when providing perioperative patient care.  Verifies operative procedure, surgical site, and laterality.  Participates in positioning the patient in collaboration with the surgeon, anesthesia professional, and other members of the perioperative team.  Functions as first assistant to the primary surgeon during operative or other invasive procedures and throughout the perioperative continuum in accordance with scope of practice, credentials, privileges, education and experience.  Minimizes the length of the operative or invasive procedure and maximizes surgeons's efficiency of movement within the surgical wound.  Implements and maintains sterile technique to prevent patient exposure to microorganisms and other particulates.  Protects patient from thermal, electrical, chemical, or mechanical injury throughout the perioperative continuum.  Implements homeostasis techniques.  Implements measures to prevent injury related to retained surgical items.  Makes postoperative rounds in conjunction with or at the direction of the surgeon as determined by health care organization policy and guidelines of practice.  Provides individualized patient, designated support person, or health care provider education regarding identified needs related to RNFA interventions.

Education/Experience Requirements

Licensed as a Registered Nurse with the State of New York.  Current ACLS certification.   Graduate of a recognized RNFA program.

Licensure/Certification Requirements

Current ACLS certification.   Graduate of a recognized RNFA program.

Disclaimer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, et al), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability.
Successful candidates might be required to undergo a background verification with an external vendor.