General Summary of PositionThe Registered Nurse First Assistant may act as First Assistant to the surgeon on all surgical operations with the exception of craniotomies, open heart surgery, epicardial pacemakers, neurosurgery, laminectomies, carpal tunnel, and sympathectomies. The Registered Nurse II-First Assistant will act under the direct supervision of the surgeon at all times.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards and safety standards. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.Demonstrates integrity in technical and aseptic practice with knowledge of the principles and consistently adapts them in an appropriate manner according to the situation, to include close observation of the operative field at all times.Reviews EMR preoperatively and communicates pertinent information to the OR teamAssists surgeon with safe positioning and draping of the patient, evaluates skin integrity post operatively and reports any abnormalities to the surgeon and circulating RN for proper documentation.Assists in providing the best possible exposure of the anatomy incident to the operative procedure, maintaining controlled retraction with hand held retractors with regard to surrounding tissue, anticipating the needs and moves of the surgeon, and managing instruments in the operative field to prevent obstruction of the operative site.Performs homeostasis by placing and removing clamps on vessels, applying electrocautery tip to clamp vessels, tying clamped vessels, placing suture ligatures in the tissue, and placing hemoclips on vessels, as directed by the surgeon.Closes fascia, subcutaneous tissue, and skin by correctly approximating layers of tissue, utilizing both interrupted and continuous suturing techniques and correct knot tying techniques, and correctly approximating the skin edges, utilizing either suture material or skin stapling devices.Performs duties of RN-OR as needed, assists other personnel with room turn-over, handles specimens according to established procedures, and assists with transporting patients to and from the operating room.Maintains the requirements of the RN IV Clinical Ladder and performs other duties as assigned.Performs other duties as assigned and maintains requirements of clinical ladder.Minimum QualificationsEducation
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of nursing required
- Completion of an approved Surgical Assistant program of instruction required
Experience
- 2 years operating room nursing required
- Completion of clinical ladder requirements required
- Must be able to respond to hospital within 30 minutes when serving on-call time
Licenses and Certifications
- RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure in Maryland required
- Maintain current certification as required by the Surgical Assistant Program attended (i.e. CNOR, SA-C, CSFA).
- CNOR - Certified Operating Room Nurse required
- CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required
- Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.
- ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification required
This position has a hiring range of $48.36 - $91.51