RN-Cardiac First Assistant

RN-Cardiac First Assistant

Requirements

• CA RN License
• CNOR
• BLS
• ACLS within one year of hire/transfer
• Completion of recognized RNFA training program
• At least two years of perioperative RN experience, preferably in the scrub as well as the circulating role

Responsibilities

• Assists on all cardiovascular surgical procedures as directed by the surgeon
• Functions as the first assistant at surgery in the general and obstetric surgical suites
• Assists the surgeon by providing intraoperative tissue retraction
• Assists with intraoperative hemostasis
• Assists with intraoperative tissue manipulation
• Uses surgical instruments and suture material to manipulate tissue as directed by the surgeon
• Assists with intraoperative wound closure
• Preoperative- assists with: review of procedure prior to the case; opening and set up of the operating room suite; either preoperative counts or patient assessment as coordinated with the circulating RN; transfer of the patient to the OR bed; anesthesia induction if requested to do so by the circulating RN; and positioning the patient for the surgical procedure
• Interoperative- scrub in and assist in the draping of the patient; assist the surgeon within the parameters of standardized procedures; and assist in counts as needed
• Postoperative- assists with: the application of the patient’s dressings; transfer from the OR bed; accompany the patient to the PACU if required; and clean up and turn over of the operating room
• May assist with specialty procedures including minimally invasive vein/arterial harvesting, closure of deep fascia layer, insertion of invasive monitoring lines and cardiac sternal wound closure
• Assesses basic patient needs, including recognition of abnormal diagnostic data, and potential problems related to the proposed surgical intervention and communicates appropriate information to the physician and other members of the surgical team
• Provides the ability to modify assessment criteria based on the age of the patient, psychosocial and physical needs
• Implements patient’s plan of care by evaluating patient’s response to care, organizes and adjusts assignment according to patient needs
• Facilitates patient transfer to appropriate postoperative unit, ensuring patient safety and communication with receiving patient care staff
• Demonstrates understanding in use of patient care equipment and instrumentation
• Responsible for knowledge of emergency equipment and supplies, including the crash cart, airway management cart, and the malignant hypothermia cart
• Timely written referral of any malfunctioning or defective equipment
• Assures that all medications are administered properly 100% of the time, including IV’s as prescribed by physician; knows actions, indications, precautions, adverse reactions, dosage and route of administration on all drugs before administering to the patient
• Maintains clear communication and rapport with patient/family as appropriate for setting
• Gives and documents emotional support and keeps patient/family informed of progress
• Assures that patient’s personal hygiene needs are met, immediate environment is clean and safe
• Maintains a current and complete medical record
• Coordinates admission, transfer and discharge of patient with appropriate personnel and documents observations, assessment treatments and outcome as necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• BSN
• MSN
• Currently enrolled in RN-BSN program