Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA)-PRN

UVA Community Health•Culpeper, VA

10d

About The Position

The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is a perioperative registered nurse who functions in an expanded role to work collaboratively with the surgeon and the surgical team. The RNFA provides first-assist services during surgical procedures, performs perioperative nursing responsibilities, and ensures high-quality patient care throughout the surgical experience. The RNFA practices under the RN scope of practice, Virginia Board of Nursing regulations, and facility policies, with documented RNFA training, competency, and surgeon delegation. This role integrates both circulating/scrub nursing responsibilities and technical first-assist duties.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing required
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing required
Completion of an accredited RNFA program required
Minimum two years of perioperative RN experience required
Current RN license in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) certification required
RNFA certification or documented completion of RNFA program required
Ability to independently scrub and first-assist across multiple specialties
Strong critical thinking, assessment, and decision-making abilities
Excellent communication, teamwork, and patient education skills
Ability to multitask, prioritize, and respond effectively in emergencies
Must meet all competency validations for perioperative RN and RNFA duties.

Nice To Haves

Experience as an RNFA preferred

Responsibilities

Provides first-assist duties including exposure, tissue handling, retraction, hemostasis, suturing, and wound management
Applies knowledge of instrumentation, anatomy, and sterile/aseptic technique
Independently scrubs and assists across specialties including, but not limited to Orthopedics, General, Robotics, Vascular, Gynecology, and Spine
Anticipates surgeon needs and ensures safe, efficient operative flow
Participates in preoperative planning with surgeons and the surgical team
Demonstrates knowledge and skills appropriate to the age and needs of the patient
Performs circulating nurse duties according to Operating Room standards and policies
Prepares the operating room with supplies, instruments, and equipment needed for the scheduled procedure
Supports anesthesia providers and ensures safe patient positioning
Monitors compliance with aseptic technique and safety protocols
Engages in preadmission, preoperative, and postoperative RN duties as applicable to Outpatient Surgery (Outpatient Surgery Center, Preadmission, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit)
Provides patient and family education regarding the perioperative process
Conducts nursing assessments and documents care in accordance with policy
Utilizes SBARQ and other structured communication tools
Coordinates patient care activities with physicians, anesthesia, surgical technologists, and perioperative staff
Maintains timely and accurate documentation
Communicates updates or issues to the leadership team and intra-operative staff
Acts as an advocate for patient rights, privacy, and dignity
Provides emotional support and individualized patient education
Develops and implements nursing plans of care tailored to patient needs
Ensures continuity of care across all perioperative phases
Follows departmental and organizational policies and guidelines.
Maintains, operates, and monitors equipment according to manufacturer and hospital standards.
Completes department-specific competency validation and ongoing training.
Participates in on-call rotation as assigned.