VCU Health·Chesterfield, Virginia
The RNFA supports surgeons during procedures by providing first assistant services and maintaining a sterile surgical environment. They are responsible for direct patient care, medication administration, and leading the multidisciplinary care plan for complex patients.
**Coming Soon to Chesterfield! Located at 10031 Nash Road, VCU Health Chesterfield Pavilion will be a four-story, approximately 100,000-square-foot ambulatory surgery center and medical office building, bringing comprehensive, patient-centered outpatient care closer to residents in one of Virginia’s largest counties. Scheduled to open in April 2027, the state-of-the-art facility will bring together surgical services, diagnostics, infusion therapy, pharmacy services, innovative care models, and more in a single, convenient location for Chesterfield residents.**
We are hiring team members now to help build the future of outpatient care from the ground up in one of Virginia’s fastest-growing communities.
The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) supports surgical procedures recognized by the attending surgeon as appropriate for the RNFA to participate in by demonstrating competence through knowledge, experience, and skills. The RN practices in the role of the first assistant when a physician (attending or resident) is unable to assist the attending surgeon in a particular procedure due to availability or location.
The Registered Nurse First Assist job demonstrates a high level of expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the complex patients and their responses to actual or potential health problems. This role assists the health care team with the prevention of illness and injury, maintenance of wellness, and provision of comfort. This role provides direction, education, and leadership.
The Registered Nurse First Assist job delivers and accurately documents direct, age-specific care to a patient or group of patients based on medical orders and an integrated, multidisciplinary plan of care. This role safely administers prescribed medications, identifying incompatibilities and/or interactions
The RNFA carries out functions that will assist the surgeon in performing a safe surgical procedure with optimal results for the patient. Establish and maintain a surgically clean environment to reduce the potential for infection by applying the principles of the potential for infection by applying the principles of antisepsis, decontamination, disinfection, sanitation, sterilization and environmental monitoring
The Registered Nurse First Assist demonstrates competent use of the nursing process as a problem-solving model in performance of job duties as evidenced by: Demonstrates expertise in nursing process by drawing from depth and scope of knowledge and experience. Anticipates the continuum of illness and implements unique and creative approaches to meeting individualized patient and family needs. Consistently effective in ensuring positive change even in the most challenging patients. Critically evaluates own decision-making and judgment.
Nurse–Patient Relationship
The Registered Nurse First Assist develops and maintains a therapeutic nurse/patient relationship throughout the health care continuum.
Respect for patients’ rights is an integral part of the nurse/patient relationship as reflected in our values statement as evidenced by: Utilizes and fosters expert communication techniques with patient/family and others.
Utilizes interventions to optimize comfort based on experience, evidence-based practice findings, external resources, interdisciplinary collaboration and/or consultations.
Anticipates patient/family needs throughout the health care continuum.
Takes a leadership role in empowering patient/families to adapt to a changing health status.
Demonstrates and creates a climate of valuing holistic and non-judgmental care.
Challenges and adapts systems to optimize best outcomes for patient/family care.
The Registered Nurse First Assist demonstrates a commitment to meeting the learning needs of patients and families as evidenced by: Works collaboratively to develop and/or implement teaching strategies to meet the learning needs of patients, families, or staff. Takes leadership role in the education of others at the unit level and beyond. Is recognized by colleagues as an educational resource in area of clinical expertise.
Leadership/Collaboration and Professional
The Registered Nurse First Assist demonstrates respect and understanding for peers and other clinical disciplines and participates as an effective member of the patient care team to formulate an integrated approach based upon current evidence and on the mission of the department as evidenced by: Participates or leads in division or institutional activities which improve patient care or administrative systems.
Serves as a resource in identifying and impacting areas of needed improvement in practice setting.
Acts as resource for and role models the use of evidence-based nursing practice.
Seeks collaborative relationships that can lead to effective partnerships in research, EBP or PI.
Contributes to or may facilitate others in revising and developing clinical practice and/or nursing care guidelines for specific patient populations using current best evidence.
Consistently shares the synthesis of current best evidence at the unit and/or department level.
Communicates progress or disseminates findings of projects or research, as appropriate, within unit, division or organization (may include but not limited to e.g. bulletin boards, podium/poster presentations, manuscript development, publication, policies and procedures, protocols, etc.).
Demonstrates and role models an interdisciplinary collaborative approach to patient care.
Takes a leadership role in building and maintaining an environment that fosters open communication and collegial relationships.
Develops own professional practice goals and plans for achieving them on the individual and institutional level.
Demonstrates how they have accomplished some of their professional practice goals in the last two years.
Performs other Duties and Participates in Special Projects
Facilitates and or participates on special projects to support the mission of VCUHS and department. Develops an organizational culture that fosters teamwork. Appoints people with complimentary skills for maximum team effort. Effectively handles multiple demands from superiors and subordinates.
Pertains to staff in licensed Nursing positions ONLY
Employee must complete 15 contact hours of Continuing Nursing Education during this evaluation cycle. Effective July 2012: CN-IV must complete 25 contact hours Failure to achieve the required number of contact hours will result in the employee being ineligible to receive an overall performance rating above "Fully Meets".
Patient Population: N/A
Minimum of a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from an accredited program (unless grandfathered under previous requirements); Certification in specialty area
Preferred Education: Completion of a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program
Licensure/Certification Required: Current RN licensure in Virginia, AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent
Licensure/Certification Preferred: Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA)
Years and Type of Required Experience: 5 years of clinical experience to include 2 Years RNFA
Required: Successful completion of additional educational preparation specific to the role of RNFA including a supervised clinical component
Cultural Responsiveness: N/A
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Preferred: N/A
Working Conditions: N/A
Physical Demands: N/A
Work Position: N/A
Physical Requirements: N/A
Hazards: N/A
Mental/Sensory – Emotional
Mental / Sensory: N/A
Emotional: N/A
Market context
In Virginia, nursing-related roles are typically supported by steady demand across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings. These positions are competitive because employers often look for both patient-care experience and current credentials, and this role requires a high school diploma, BLS certification, and one of several entry pathways such as CNA, EMT-B, Medical Assistant graduate status, or nursing program progress. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your certification status and clinical hours before applying.