RN First Assistant

St. Josephs Medical Center•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of a surgeon with privileges in surgery and in accordance with designated standardized procedures, the RN First Assistant (RNFA) performs first assistant duties for adult patients undergoing surgical procedures in the operating room as specified in the designated standardized procedure. The RNFA advocates for the patient to achieve the best possible outcome. This role may involve caring for patients outside the typical age groups, requiring consultation of available resources for appropriate care. St. Joseph Medical Center (SJMC) is Houston's oldest hospital, with a 137-year tradition of providing world-class care. We offer comprehensive services including Advanced Wound Care, Cardiac and Vascular Services, Women's Services, a Maternal Fetal Medicine Center, and a Weight Loss Surgery Program. At SJMC, we are committed to guiding patients through their healthcare journey with compassion. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are foundational to our care and employment practices, and we do not discriminate on any non-job-related characteristic.

Requirements

A minimum of two years clinical nursing experience in the operating room.
Current RN license issued by the Board of Nurse Examiners of the State of Texas to practice professional nursing.
Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) required.
Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing program, Associates or Bachelors degree.
Completion of a planned program of instruction for RN First Assistants.
Technical, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills relevant to area to effectively communicate with physicians, health team members, patients, and families and to safely and efficiently treat patients.
Ability to prioritize work with minimal supervision to independently carry out the duties of the position.
Able to communicate effectively, in English, both verbally and in writing.
Basic computer knowledge.

Nice To Haves

Current AHA or ARC CPR/Basic Life Support Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Performs first assistant duties for adult patients undergoing surgical procedures in the operating room.
Advocates for patient to achieve the best possible outcome.
Supports and maintains the Mission, Vision and Values of St. Joseph Medical Center.
Follows guidelines related to HIPAA to prevent or detect unauthorized disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI).
Promotes a culture of safety for patients and employees through proper identification, reporting, documentation, and prevention of medical errors.
Maintains competency and knowledge of current standards of practice, trends, and developments in the scope of practice.
Participates in ongoing quality improvement activities.
Assesses Operating Room readiness, table positioning, supplies, supply availability, and equipment readiness for a variety of procedures.
Develops the patient's plan of care and monitors treatment in the operative environment.
Practices aseptic technique and maintains sterile fields, correcting breaks in technique for any team members.
Manages patient safety by implementing operative policy and procedures including patient identification, site verification, positioning, and counting of sponges, instruments, and sharps.
Takes action to correct deficiencies.
Holds self, physicians, and other team members accountable for safe patient practices and environment.
Upholds the Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance.
Adheres to and helps enforce all compliance policies relevant to the area.
Assures timely compliance education as requested by the Compliance Officer and/or through corporate initiatives.
Sets an example to all staff in daily activities.