RN First Assist

Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Hospitals have a history of caring for our community that goes back more than 100 years. We provide a broad range of medical and surgical services including minimally invasive and outpatient options. Our family of services includes the area's only inpatient oncology unit, the Orthopedic, Spine, and Hand Center, Family Birth Center, the Lactation Support Center and retail store, and many others. Mercy Hospital Downtown is a 194-bed facility located in downtown Bakersfield. Mercy Hospital Southwest is a 78-bed facility and the only hospital located in the rapidly growing area west of Highway 99. Mercy Hospital is a member of Dignity Health and is a trusted community partner, serving residents of Bakersfield and Kern County with quality, compassionate care since 1910.  Learn more at https://www.dignityhealth.org/central-california/locations/mercy-bakersfield.

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Position Summary:

The Registered Nurse First Assistant is a perioperative nurse who works in collaboration with the surgeon and other health care team members to achieve optimal patient outcomes. During the assisting phase and until conclusion of the operative procedure the RNFA is under the direction of the Surgeon. As needed, the RNFA may provide patient care by circulating or scrubbing surgical procedures. During surgical procedures the RNFA does not function concurrently as a Scrub Nurse. The RNFA provides personalized patient care for the preoperative and postoperative phases by using the perioperative nursing process to plan and implement patient care and education. The Registered Nurse First Assistant is credentialed through the medical staff as allied health provider. Must be able to work normal/scheduled working hours to include Holidays, call-backs, weeknights, weekends, and on-call. Agrees to participate, as directed, in emergencies and community disasters during scheduled and unscheduled hours. Needs to recognize that they have an affirmative duty and responsibility for reporting perceived misconduct, including actual or potential violation of laws, regulations, policies, procedures, or this organization's standards/code of conduct. The employee shall work well under pressure, meet multiple and sometimes competing deadlines.

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Minimum Requirements:

• CA RN license
• BLS (AHA required)
• ACLS
• RNFA

Previous RNFA experience preferred. Minimum of 5 years of Operating Room experience

RNFA Demonstrates knowledge and skill in applying principles of asepsis and infection control. Hires after 10/01/2015  will need two year experience with total hip and knee surgery is required

Minimum of 5 years of Operating Room experience. For all hires after 10/01/2015 two years experience with total hip, knee, peripheral vascular and spine surgery is required. Previous RNFA experience preferred.

Skills:

Demonstrates knowledge and skill in applying principles of asepsis and infection control. Demonstrates knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology and operative procedures wherein the RNFA assists.  Requirements for RNFA are successful completion of an RNFA program that meets the AORN standards for RN first assistant education programs. Demonstrates knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology and operative procedures wherein the RNFA assists. Must have the ability to read, write and speak English.