Registered Nurse - Surgical Assist

Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital•Grand Rapids, MN

About The Position

The RN surgical assistant, under the direction of Surgical Services Nurse Leadership, provides professional nursing care throughout the surgical experience and assists the surgeon with patient and family care during the peri-operative phase. RN surgical assistants are not authorized to operate independently. The role is casual and as-needed, with a day schedule in the Surgical Services Department. It includes an equal rotation of assigned weeknight, holiday, and weekend call with other RN Surgical Assistant nurses.

Requirements

Registered with the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
At least one year of current RNSA/RNFA experience.
Current BLS and ACLS, or ability to obtain them within six months of hire.
Complete AORN Peri-operative Nursing 101 or an equivalent course within 12 months of employment if not currently CNOR certified or an RNFA.
CNOR certification, or attain certification within two years of hire and maintain it.
If candidates do not meet the primary experience requirements, consideration may be given to candidates with one year or less of current RNSA/RNFA experience; two years of Surgical Technician experience in the last five years; two years of OR RN experience within the last five years; or two years of critical care RN experience within the last three years.
Reliable and consistent attendance.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Responsibilities

Work cooperatively with the surgeon to assess each patient's individual needs and provide necessary services.
Assist the surgeon during operative cases in the Surgical Services Department, including hands-on use of instruments and medical devices, providing surgical-site exposure and hemostasis, suturing skin, dressing incisions and wounds, alerting the physician to patient changes, and intervening if complications arise.
Follow the established scope of RN practice.
Assist the operative crew with peri-operative patient preparation, including transfer, positioning, preparation, and draping as directed by the surgeon and circulating RN.
Assist the surgeon in the inpatient setting as directed.
Help cover other surgical assistants in the OR as required.
Maintain working knowledge of surgical procedures, equipment, and instrumentation across multiple service lines.
Participate in an equal rotation of assigned weeknight, holiday, and weekend call.
Maintain reliable and consistent attendance.