CV-RN FIRST ASSIST - Forrest General Hospital

The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is under the supervision of the CV Specialty Coordinator/Heart & Vascular Service Line Adm when not serving in the role of as RNFA in the sterile field. When in the sterile field, the RN First Assistant practices perioperative nursing under the supervision of the surgeon during the intra-operative phase of the perioperative experience. The RNFA’s role is to carry out functions that will assist the surgeon in performing a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. The ideal candidate will have strong sense of urgency and accountability, with a notable pride in self and drive for excellence.

Performance Expectations:

Items considered essential functions of the job are listed below.

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.
• Provides for exceptional patient and coworker experiences by following our standards of practice of always using positive language.
• Demonstrates independence and exercises sound judgment in interactions with physicians and the interprofessional care team.
• Promotes a positive work environment with the OR team.
• Collaborates with all members of the OR team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent information in a comprehensive manner.
• Exhibits open and professional communication.
• Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates the nursing care of patients undergoing surgical intervention.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development
• Possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age specific needs
• Documents care according to the requirements of hospital policy
• Completes charges according to hospital policy
• Maintains an accurate implant log meeting all the requirements of hospital policy
• Demonstrates the critical thinking skills to respond in an emergency situation
• Provides direct patient care effectively and efficiently, which may include patient with varied and complex needs.
• Demonstrates clinical competence when providing care, using technology, administering medications, performing procedures and managing emergencies, acting as a patient and family advocate in order to monitor and maintain patient rights.
• Uses therapeutic communication, which includes active listening and teaching, to establish a relationship with patients, families, and interprofessional health care team to collaborate on a plan of care.
• Contributes to teamwork by awareness of overall unit acuity, consistently offering assistance, and responding positively to requests for assistance.
• Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment.
• Seeks guidance from and offers guidance to interprofessional healthcare team.
• Advocates on the patient and/or family behalf to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns, utilizing appropriate resources.
• Provides and modifies care to complex patients and coordinates care with the interprofessional team based on evaluation of the patient’s condition, supported by accurate documentation.
• Improves quality and safety, through peer-to-peer accountability, reporting near misses, and collaborating with the interprofessional healthcare team.
• Able to set-up and troubleshoot Operating Room equipment including but not limited to electrocautery, bipolar devices, suctions, drills, video equipment, lasers, microscopes, headlights, surgical lights, OR tables, and Robotic
• Able to use of patient positioning devices in a variety of required ways using a full range of positioning devices inclusive of but not limited to yellow fin stirrups, candy cane stirrups, Jackson Frames, peg boards, bean bags, kidney rests, and fracture tables.
• Assists anesthesia personnel as needed throughout the procedure but especially during induction and reversal.
• Demonstrates the ability to tolerate high and low temperature ranges set to accommodate desired patient outcomes.
• Able to tolerate physically demanding tasks of moving equipment and patients utilizing safety measures for you, coworkers, and/or patients.
• Able to properly label and process specimens collected from the field.
• Demonstrates the ability to safely scrub, gown and glove, maintain the sterile field, and hold retractors or heart as needed, run instruments or assist the surgeon at the incision site.
• Displays self-motivation to independently manage time effectively, timely document care, minimize incidental overtime and prioritize daily tasks.
• Provides input into the unit resource utilization including unit capital and operational budget needs.
• Manages the overall nursing care in the operating room to help maintain a safe and comfortable environment
• Anticipate needs of sterile team and anesthesiologist and respond quickly and efficiently as needs arise.
• Remain attentive to the progress of the surgical procedure and needs of individual team members by watching and listening, giving Nurse Manager adequate notification of delays, conflicts, problems, etc. Communicate with ancillary departments as necessary.
• Accurately completes all Intra-Op Documentation including all supply and implant charges.
• Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates the nursing care of patients undergoing surgical intervention.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
• Implements measures to prevent exposure to infection pathogens and communicable conditions; and to promote a safe and confidential environment for the patient and staff
• Behaviors and interactions demonstrate a positive attitude, personal initiative and motivation to achieve the goals of the department.
• Champions the development and growth of safety culture.
• Demonstrates organizational, interpersonal, and time management skills.
• Participates in all competencies planned for the job role prior to deadlines.
• Complies with the Surgical Services policy.
• Follows the policies in the Employee Handbook.
• The spreading of rumors and gossip creates unnecessary turmoil, weakens working relationships, and is contrary to the spirit of the hospital and is prohibited.
• Uses “We Care” philosophy in daily communication
• Works assigned shift and responds when called upon for additional or emergency services.This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education/Skills

• Graduate of recognized non-online RN program required.
• Completion of approved course in RN First Assisting required.
• Once having met the educational and experience requirements, the RNFA is encouraged to attain a Bachelor of Science in nursing and to achieve and maintain certification (CRNFA) for this specific role.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 24 hours demonstrated proficiency in scrubbing and circulating is required.

Certification/Licensure-DUE UPON HIRE

• Licensed RN able to practice within the State of MS

• RNFA course complete

• Certified Nurse Operating Room-CNOR

Additional Certification/Licensure - obtained based on the required timeframe below

• Basic Life Support

Within 30 Days of Employment

Required

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Within 90 Days of Employment

Required

• NIH Stroke Scale

Within 90 Days of Employment

Required

• Telemetry Nurse Education

Within 90 Days of Employment

Required

Mental Demands:

Ability to perform as a team member, cooperate with others, follow directions precisely, demonstrate initiative, set priorities, and function under stress.

PI253919073