The RN first assistant to the surgeon during a surgical procedure carries out functions that will assist the surgeon in performing a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. S/he practices perioperative nursing and has acquired the knowledge, skills and judgment necessary to assist the surgeon, through organized instruction and supervised practice.The RN first assistant practices under the direct supervision of the surgeon during the first assistant phase of the perioperative role.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• To utilize specialized nursing knowledge and discriminative judgment while giving direct and indirect patient care and function as a member of the surgical team.
• Performs or assists with positioning, prepping and draping of the patient.
• Provides hemostasis by clamping blood vessels, coagulating bleeding points, ligating vessels and by other means as directed and supervised by the surgeon.
• Provides exposure through appropriate use of instruments, retractors, suctioning and sponging techniques.
• Handles tissues as directed.
• Inserts and positions instrumentation.
• Sutures fascia, subcutaneous and skin tissues.
• Places and sutures drains.
• Applies surgical dressings, braces and surgical supports.
• Assists with transferring the patient from the operating room to the PACU when needed.
• Participates in the “Universal Protocol” and patient identification.
• Reviews x-ray films/PACS with surgeon and discusses plan of action.
• Is responsible for verifying the number and type of specimens.

• State RN license (RN)
• CNOR certification
• BLS & ACLS Certification
• Completion of a recognized RNFA program (proof of verification required)
• Proficient in both scrub and circulating for a minimum of three years
• Has knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative techniques relative to procedures where the RNFA assists

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