The Registered Nurse First Assistant is responsible for the delivery of patient care utilizing the nursing process through data collection and assessment, identifying and determining the priority of patient's/ resident's/ client's problems/needs, and evaluating the process and outcome of nursing care. The RNFA collaborates with the surgeon in performing invasive or operative procedures in a safe manner with optimal outcomes for the patient whom protective reflexes or self-care abilities are potentially compromised. The RNFA must, in collaboration with the patient, family and health care team members, possess and apply knowledge of the procedure and patient's intraoperative experience throughout the patient's continuum of care, addressing their physiological, psychological, sociocultural and spiritual needs in relationship to their age and ability to respond.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Collects health data on a systematic and continuous basis through clinical interaction, records, assessment and consultation with the health care team members, demonstrating consideration of growth and developmental needs. Formulates nursing diagnosis based on health status data and establishes patient care goals based on nursing diagnosis.

• Develops a plan of care that prescribes nursing actions to achieve patient goals. Implements nursing actions in transferring the patient according to the prescribed plan. 

• Demonstrates through clinical interaction with patients, knowledge of patient and family educational needs. Demonstrates anatomy and physiology particular to the requirements of the surgical procedure.

• Creates and maintains a sterile field. Performs sponge, sharps and instruments counts. Administers drugs and solutions as prescribed. Monitors and controls the environment. Performs decontamination functions.

• Provides equipment and supplies based on the patient's needs and physician's preferences. Physiologically monitors the patients during surgery. Evaluates patient outcomes and measures effectiveness of nursing care. Continuously reassesses all components of patient care based on new data. 

• Performs nursing and first assisting actions that demonstrate accountability including performance improvement. Enhances growth and development through in-services education, educational process and learning opportunities including, but not limited to pediatrics, adolescents, adult and geriatric patients.

• Under direct supervision of he surgeon, responsibilities may include but not limited to, handling a variety of tissue, providing exposure, using surgical instrumentation, suturing, providing hemostasis, and closing tissue and skin.

• Prohibitions for the RNFA: transplanting organs, or performing a surgical task/procedure, which is the primary purpose of surgery.

• Performs functions under the direct supervision of the physician and/or resident in the operating room. Retracts during operating procedure. May clamp, cut and tie bleeders. May utilize cautery as directed by physician. Demonstrates competency and skill when suturing fascia, subcutaneous tissue and skin.Suction surgical wound. May instill irrigation solution under the direction of the physician.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Good oral and written communication skills.

• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in nursing theory and practice of nursing process.

• Nurses assigned to a specialty unit will be required to meet criteria established for that unit.

Job Requirements:

• Education: Graduate of an accredited college/university or institution.

• Experience: Experience Required. Must be able to circulate multiple specialty service lines independently including but not limited to; ortho, neuro, davinci and trauma.

• Registration, Certification or Licensure Requirement: Current Ohio RN licensure; BLS certification required. Other certification required per department policy.

Physical Requirements:

• Performs repetitive tasks/motions

• Hears alarm bells, telephone, and other sounds

• Hears normal conversation

• Have good manual dexterity

• Have good eye-hand-foot coordination

• Have clarity of vision: near (< 20”)

• Have clarity of vision: mid (>20”-20’)

• Have clarity of vision: far (>20’)

• Distinguish colors

Mental Requirements:

• Reads and interprets written/oral instructions

• Sets and meets deadlines, prioritizes work and works independently

• Identifies and understands issues and problems

• Examines data and draws logical conclusions demonstrating the ability to apply high levels of critical thinking and understanding

• Expresses or exchanges ideas by means of oral or written communications

• Makes decisions which have significant impact on the immediate work unit and monitor impact outside immediate work unit

• Organize thoughts and ideas into understand terminology

• Must be flexible and able to adapt to change

Hours:

• Shift: Days

• Hours: 8 Hour Shifts

• Hours per pay period: 80

• Weekend, holiday and on-call rotation required per department policy