Good Shepherd Health Care·Hermiston, Oregon
The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) provides safe, quality patient care in the operating room and assists surgeons during invasive procedures. Responsibilities include preoperative planning, intraoperative tissue handling, wound closure, and postoperative patient monitoring.
Assess patients at intervals in accordance with facility or health care organization policies and procedures. Participate in preoperative assessment and planning for surgical patients specific to RNFA activities (e.g. anatomical exposure, wound closure) in collaboration with perioperative team members. Develop an individualized perioperative patient plan of care. Implement the plan of care by Protecting the patient from injury caused by extraneous objects and chemical, electrical, laser, mechanical, and thermal sources. Participating in accounting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items. Performing interventions necessary to ensure that the patient’s procedure is performed on the correct site, side, and level. Assisting with management of the patient’s specimens as necessary. Communicating the patient’s status to relevant parties throughout the continuum of care. Administering medications safely and correctly. Performing interventions to maintain the patient’s wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels. Performing interventions to maintain the status of the patient’s genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems and fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balances at or above baseline levels. Performing interventions to ensure the patient is at or returned to normothermia at the conclusion of the immediate postoperative period. Performing interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection. Assessing the knowledge level of the patient or designated support person. Providing education regarding the expected psychosocial response, nutritional management, medication management, pain management, wound management, and expected responses to the operative or invasive procedure. Involving the patient or designated support person actively in decisions affecting his or her perioperative care and the rehabilitation process. Protecting the patients’ rights, dignity, and privacy. Providing age-specific, culturally competent, ethical care within legal standards of practice. Providing consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting. Function as an RN first assistant during operative and other invasive procedures by Providing exposure through correct use of instruments, retractors, suction, and sponging techniques. Handling and dissecting tissues in collaboration with the surgeon. Clamping blood vessels, coagulating bleeding points, and ligating vessels in collaboration with the surgeon. Placing drains as directed by the surgeon. Suturing muscle, fascia, subcutaneous, and skin in collaboration with the surgeon. Follow selected surgical patients postoperatively specific to RNFA activities (e.g. postoperative rounding, dressing changes) in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team. Evaluate the patient’s progress toward attaining outcomes. Transfer care as applicable. Delegate tasks according to the state Nurse Practice Act and job descriptions. Document nursing care accurately, completely, and legibly. Collaborate effectively with other disciplines as applicable. Participate in quality review and performance improvement projects. Participate in the performance appraisal process. Use problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to foster effective work relationships with team members. Serve as an educator, mentor, consultant, and resource to peers, colleagues, and others in relation to RNFA activities. Maintain regulatory, credentialing, and privileging requirements required for practice as an RNFA. Participate in ongoing educational and competency verification activities applicable to RN and RNFA activities. Act as a patient advocate and maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information. The employee supports the hospital mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures. Participates in required education for DNV programs as applicable to position (reference program education curriculum). Performs other related duties as assigned.
Education: Required: Graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
2 years of RNFA experience.
Candidates must be graduates of an accredited nursing school with at least two years of surgical experience and hold active BLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, and CNOR certifications. A Bachelor's degree in nursing and RNFA certification are preferred.
Market context
In Oregon, nursing roles are typically in steady demand across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings, especially for candidates with acute-care experience and current licensure. These positions can be competitive because employers often look for an accredited nursing degree, an active RN license, BLS certification, and prior experience, with added value for those who can complete NIH Stroke Scale certification quickly. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your license status and prepare examples of recent patient-care experience before applying.
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