Registered Nurse - First Assist

BJC HealthCare • Belleville, IL

13h

About The Position

The Registered Nurse - First Assist performs an expanded perioperative role as a first assistant to surgeons during operating-room procedures and provides direct patient care alongside the surgeon. The role works as a professional colleague with the perioperative team and collaborates with the patient-designated support person and other health care providers to plan care. Perioperative Services supports surgical, gastroenterology, treatment, Cardiac Cath Lab, and pain center patients, including adult and pediatric patients, across inpatient and outpatient settings.

The position delivers intraoperative care as a collaborative first assistant; conducts a focused preoperative nursing assessment; analyzes assessment data and identifies nursing diagnoses and desired patient outcomes; and develops, coordinates, implements, and evaluates an individual perioperative plan of care. The RNFA monitors patient responses, modifies care as needed, and administers medications according to standard nursing practice. The role also supports department efficiency, patient safety, professional development, patient and family education, ethical practice, advocacy, and the integration of research findings into care.

The posting specifies a 40-minute call response time and requires 2 years of nursing experience. Minimum education is a nursing diploma or associate degree, and an RN license is required. Preferred qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in nursing and Certified First Assistant, CNOR, or Certified RN First Assist credentials.

BJC offers medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and legal coverage; retirement contributions and a 401(k) match; tuition assistance; flexible spending accounts; paid time off; adoption assistance; and learning and development resources. Some benefits may not apply to all jobs.

Requirements

• Nursing diploma or associate degree in nursing.
• Current RN license.
• 2–5 years of experience; the posting also specifies 2 years of nursing experience.
• No supervisor experience required.
• Ability to meet a 40-minute call response time.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing.
• Certified First Assistant credential.
• Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) credential.
• Certified RN First Assist credential.
• RNFA certification.

Responsibilities

• Deliver intraoperative patient care as the first assistant to surgeons and as a collaborative member of the surgical team.
• Perform a focused preoperative nursing assessment related to the planned procedure, analyze assessment data, determine nursing diagnoses, and identify and communicate desired patient outcomes.
• Contribute to the efficiency of the perioperative department while considering safety, effectiveness, efficiency, environment, and cost in planning and evaluating care.
• Monitor patient responses and modify the plan of care accordingly.
• Administer medications according to standard nursing practice.
• Develop, manage, implement, and coordinate an individual perioperative plan of care related to RNFA interventions.
• Evaluate patient progress toward outcomes and systematically evaluate the quality of nursing practice.
• Participate in professional development and lifelong learning, seek learning opportunities, and evaluate practice against current professional standards, rules, and regulations.
• Contribute to the professional growth of peers, colleagues, and others.
• Integrate knowledge, skills, and experience to meet patient and family needs across the continuum of care, including education.
• Incorporate research findings into practice and make ethical decisions using available resources.
• Advocate for individuals and groups regarding perioperative health and safety, and provide leadership in the profession and professional practice setting.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and legal services available on the first day of the month after hire.
• Disability insurance paid for by BJC.
• Annual 4% BJC Automatic Retirement Contribution.
• 401(k) plan with BJC match.
• Tuition assistance available on the first day.
• BJC Institute for Learning and Development.
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Paid Time Off combining vacation, sick days, holidays, and personal time.
• Adoption assistance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree