RN - Periop First Assistant - PRN (Day/Evenings) - Full-time / Part-time

The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) carries outfunctions that will assist the surgeon in performing a safe operation withoptimal results for the patient.  TheRNFA practices perioperative nursing and has acquired the knowledge, skills andjudgment necessary to assist the surgeon through organized instruction andsupervised practice.  The RNFA practicesunder the direct supervision of the surgeon. The RNFA does not concurrently function in the scrub nurse role.  Serves patients from neonate, infant, pediatric,adolescent, adult and geriatric.

ESSENTIALFUNCTIONS:

• Performs preoperative patient assessment andteaching.
• Collects and analyzes data and assesses patientin developing nursing diagnosis.
• Provides a safe environment for patient andstaff by implementing standards of aseptic technique and by controlling thephysical and psychological aspects of that environment.
•  Communicateseffectively with the patient, staff, physicians, and families.
• Maintains knowledge of equipment set-up andfunction.
• Prepares for surgical cases in an efficientmanner, anticipating needs of patient and surgeon, and provides creativestrategies in meeting those needs.
• Applies knowledge of surgical anatomy,physiology, and operative technique relative to operative procedures whereinthe RNFA assists.
• Provides hemostasis by clamping blood vessels,coagulating bleeding points, legating vessels and by other means as directed bythe surgeon.
• Provides exposure through appropriate use ofinstruments, retractors, suctioning and sponging techniques.
• Handles tissue as directed by the surgeon duringthe operative procedure.
• Performs wound closure as directed by thesurgeon; sutures the fascia, subcutaneous tissue and skin.
• Applies surgical dressings.
• Assists with transferring the patient from theoperating room.
• Serves as a resource person to staff andphysicians.
• Functions in circulating or scrub role when notutilized as RNFA.