Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA)

UCSF•San Francisco, CA

19h•$93 - $122

About The Position

The Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) supports surgical procedures in all modalities at UCSF Health and performs first-assistant duties under the surgeon’s supervision, including hemostasis, wound exposure, suturing, and tissue handling. The role combines clinical, educational, and safety responsibilities and requires credentialing through UCSF Health’s Medical Staff Services Office (MSSO). Credentialing and approval of standardized procedures take 30–90 days and must be completed before the first working day. The RNFA works across UCSF Health locations and is required to work at multiple system sites. The position includes department call as a scrub and circulating RN and the ability to circulate and scrub for multiple services in the Mission Bay and Moffitt-Long Adult Operating Rooms. The RNFA provides expert patient care, collaborates with the operative team, supports education and training, and contributes to safe department operations and quality assurance.

Requirements

At least one year of multiservice robotics experience.
Three years of inpatient adult operating-room scrub RN experience.
Strong communication and collaboration skills consistent with UCSF Living PRIDE standards.
Commitment to ongoing education and maintenance of RNFA competencies.
Current American Heart Association BLS certificate.
Active California RN license.
Active RNFA certification from an accredited program and current California RNFA certification.
Completed RNFA training hours.
Ability to apply asepsis and infection-control principles.
Ability to perform effectively in stressful and emergency situations.
Ability to stand for long periods.
Ability to recognize safety hazards and initiate appropriate preventative and corrective action.
Flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Health locations.
Must complete MSSO credentialing and obtain approval of standardized procedures before the first working day.

Nice To Haves

One to two years of recent experience as a surgical first assistant.
BSN or MSN degree.
Current American Heart Association ACLS certification.

Responsibilities

Perform first-assistant responsibilities according to applicable RNFA regulations, Title 22, and UCSF standardized procedures, applying knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative technique.
Assess patients pre-operatively and develop nursing care plans based on assessment.
Assist with patient positioning, skin preparation, and draping.
Provide hemostasis and wound exposure; handle tissue appropriately; suture tissue; apply wound dressings; and use surgical instruments appropriately.
Assist with transporting patients post-operatively as needed.
Teach and collaborate with nursing personnel, including nursing students, surgical technology students, and OR assistants.
Collaborate with surgical departments to support education and training of medical students and residents as needed.
Collaborate with anesthesia, surgeons, residents, perioperative nursing staff, staff nurses, and surgical technologists to support optimal patient outcomes.
Adhere to hospital and departmental policies and procedures and function effectively as a collaborative member of the operative team.
Use resources efficiently, provide input to the Clinical Service Coordinator and Nurse Manager regarding unit needs, and participate in unit and departmental policy development.
Work with the OR team to identify safety issues, ensure pre-operative and post-operative counts, and participate in the Universal Protocol Process.
Circulate and scrub for multiple services in Mission Bay and Moffitt-Long Adult Operating Rooms; use supplies and equipment properly and provide expert-level patient care.
Role-model clinical expertise, professionalism, and effective communication; participate in departmental quality assurance by monitoring compliance with patient-care standards.
Collaborate to keep preference cards current and follow professional association standards, regulatory requirements, clinical evidence, and standard procedures.
Take department call as a scrub and circulating RN.