SAH RN First Assist

Positions Summary

Functions as a first assistant during surgical incision excision and repair of pathology and throughout the perioperative period on procedures for which privileges have been granted. Possesses the knowledge and technical skills to assist the surgeon during surgery and at the bedside. Demonstrates proficiency as both a scrub nurse and circulating nurse. Supports the mission vision and values of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

* Provide competent and ethical care within legal standards of practice as applicable to the RNFA.

* Participate in preoperative assessment and planning for selected surgical patients in collaboration with the health team members in the preoperative location.

* Recognize safety hazards and initiate appropriate preventative and corrective actions

* Provide exposure through appropriate use of instruments retractors suctioning and sponging techniques

* Handle and dissect tissues in collaboration with the surgeon

* Clamp blood vessels coagulate bleeding points ligate vessels and perform other procedures in collaboration with the surgeon

* Suture muscle fascia subcutaneous and skin tissue in collaboration with the surgeon

* Place drains as surgically indicated

• Post-Operative Role:

* Follow selected surgical patients postoperatively in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.

• Serve as an education mentor consultant and resource to colleagues and other health care professionals in relation to RNFA activities
• Work as a professional colleague with the perioperative team and influence multidisciplinary relationships by enhancing collaborative processes.
• Maintain regulatory credentialing and privileging requirements.
• Performs preoperative nursing assessment including a health history
• Assessment and reassessment of the patient is clearly and concisely communicated in the patient*s medical record
• Provides education and emotional support to the patient and family
• Adapts nursing procedures to meet the needs for treatment of individual pediatric adolescent adult and geriatric patients
• Possess knowledge and understanding of anatomy physiology and operative techniques related to the surgical specialty in which the RN assists.
• Positions patients properly; pads and protects bony prominences.
• Follows aseptic techniques when opening sterile supplies and setting up procedures.
• Preps and drapes patients correctly for all procedures
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills to use various surgical instruments and retractors.
• Demonstrates knowledge of care of tissue and specimens. Identifies specimens to circulating nurse and scrub nurse.
• Provides assistance to the surgeon during procedures; using retractors to provide exposure providing hemostasis suturing wound dressing.
• Anticipates the needs of the surgeon during the procedure
• Assists with operating room counts (instruments sharps sponges); follows proper procedures in the event of an incorrect count.
• Assists with the transport of the patients to the PACU.
• Communicates clearly and concisely with the surgeon other healthcare professionals and patient/family.
• Demonstrates knowledge of anesthetic drugs actions and side effects.
• Able to perform effectively as a member of the surgical team.
• Regularly collaborates with members of the surgical team in order to maintain equipment and supplies for surgical procedures.
• Applies the principles of asepsis and infection control at all times.
• Provides post-op and discharge education to patients and families
• Protects patient*s sensitivities and right to privacy
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduced the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Follows the five medication rights and reduced the potential medical errors.
• Appropriately responds to the patient in an emergency or physically distressful situation.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial cultural ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.
• Documentation meets current standards of policies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Utilizes initiative; strives to maintain stead level of productivity; self-motivated; manages activities and time wisely.
• Is knowledgeable of and follows the hospital*s policies and procedures.

* Stays current with new techniques and technologies through continuing education seminars conferences professional societies and journals

• Maintains a good working relationship with the surgical services staff.

Education/Experience/Licensure/Technical/Other

I. Education: BSN degree required from an accredited school. Graduate of a Registered Nurse First Assistant Program. CRNFA preferred.

II. Experience: 2+ years circulating experience required. Prior RNFA experience preferred.

III. Certification/Licensure: Current MA RN licensure required. CNOR certification required. Board Certified as a RNFA by the National Certification Board of Perioperative Nursing required. BLS and ACLS required.

IV. Software/Hardware: Meditech 6.1 experience preferred

Brown University Health is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin age ethnicity sexual orientation ancestry genetics gender identity or expression disability protected veteran or marital status. Brown University Health is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Location: Saint Annes Hospital USA:MA:Fall River

Work Type: Full Time

Shift: Shift 1

Union: Non-Union

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