Description:
RN First Assist, First Shift, Surgery Department
UC Health is hiring a full-time RN First Assist for the surgery department for the first shift at West Chester Hospital.
The Surgery Department RN First Assist will support West Chester Hospital’s operating room (OR) and Level III Trauma Center, delivering high-quality care to patients based on assessed needs. The major focus is to carry out the functions that will assist the surgeon in performing a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. The RNFA practices perioperative nursing and is therefore responsible for independent nursing behaviors of preoperative assessment and postoperative evaluation of care. The intraoperative practice of the RNFA is interdependent with the surgeon.
About West Chester Hospital
• West Chester Hospital provides its patients with access to the region’s largest group of specialized physicians and medical providers. West Chester Hospital was recognized among a listing of the World’s Best Hospitals for the world-class clinical care provided to the Greater Cincinnati Region and beyond. With a reputation for providing outstanding patient experiences and quality medical care, the hospital consistently ranks amongst the top 5% in the nation.
Unit Details :
• Management is very hands on when it comes to helping hone your skills.
• Even though there is an on-call schedule, there are less here than at other UC sites.
• The RN First Assist is responsible for providing patient care before, during, and after surgery. The primary purpose of this position is to perform tasks which permit the surgeon to complete an efficient and safe operation.
• The RN First Assist needs to demonstrate knowledge and expertise in a variety of surgical specialties and the initiative to continually expand and refine clinical skills. It is also someone who identifies and responds appropriately to different needs resulting from, unique psychological needs or those associated with religious / cultural norms. Performs treatments, administers medication, or operates equipment safely.
Requisition Type: Professional
Responsibilities:
Job Responsibilities:
• Engages in population appropriate communication. Has knowledge of growth and development milestones and tasks. Gives clear instructions to patients/family regarding treatment. Involves family/guardian in the assessment, initial treatment and continuing care of the patient. Identifies any physical limitations of the patient and deploys intervention when necessary. Recognizes and responds appropriately to patients/families with behavioral health problems. Interprets population related data and plans care appropriately. Identifies and responds appropriately to different needs resulting from, unique psychological needs or those associated with religious / cultural norms. Performs treatments, administers medication or operates equipment safely. Recognizes and responds to signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect.
• Assess the health status of the patient in order to develop an individualized plan of care by collecting, categorizing, and interpreting data (physical and psychosocial) from documented information, observation, patient/family interview, and other health care team members.
• Develop a nursing care plan based on the assessment of the patient that includes nursing diagnosis, patient goals, and nursing interventions necessary to achieve these goals.
• Implement the nursing care plan to provide optimal individualized care for the patient.
• Instruct the patient and family to assist the patient in the achievement of optimal health status.
• Document nursing activities to provide a permanent record for continuity of care, quality improvement, and professional accountability.
• Identify the patient to ensure that the patient, procedure, and operative site correspond.
• Plan, supervise, and assist with the transfer of the patient to protect the patient and personnel from injury.
• Position the patient to provide access the operative site while maximizing patient safety and comfort. Prepping and draping of the patient may be done independently if so directed by the surgeon.
• Establish and maintain a surgically clean environment to reduce the potential for infection by applying the principles of antisepsis, contamination, disinfection, sanitation, sterilization, and environmental monitoring.
• Establish and maintain a sterile field to reduce potential for infection by teaching and supervising the application of principles of aseptic technique and continual monitoring of the sterile field.
• Establish and maintain a safe environment to protect the patient and the health care team by monitoring the patient (physiologically and psychologically) and the environment and by implementing safety procedures.
• Coordinate support services needed during surgery by anticipating and communicating patient and surgical teach needs.
• Organize and coordinate supplies, equipment, and team members to maintain an efficient, effective, and safe intraoperative environment through ongoing patient and situation assessment, priority setting, procurement of supplies, and arrangement of equipment, by teaching, directing, communicating, and collaborating with health care team members and support service personnel.
• Communicate information to PACU personnel to promote continuity of care.
• Contribute to the discharge plan.
• Select and execute appropriate methods for cleaning, packaging, sterilizing, and disinfecting to ensure patient safety by applying principles of sterilization and disinfection and by following packaging guidelines set by regulating agencies and manufacturers.
• Execute nursing activities to provide life support in an emergency situation by taking appropriate action and/or providing direction/assistance to health care team members.
• Initiate appropriate intraoperative behaviors unique to first assisting:
• Provide hemostasis to reduce potential for postoperative infection and potential for fluid volume deficit by clamping and/or ligating vessels, using electrosurgical or laser units. applying direct pressure, applying chemical agents that promote coagulation, and other means as directed by the surgeon. Provide exposure of the operative site through the appropriate use of retractors and other instruments and through suctioning and sponging. Use surgical instruments skillfully in ways consistent with their design and purpose as directed by the surgeon. Handle all variety of tissue appropriately to reduce potential for injury or compromised blood supply. Suture skillfully all varieties of tissue with the appropriate suture materials and suturing techniques.
• Performs other related duties as required, including but not limited to communicating information to patient/family. Evaluate effectiveness of nursing care to determine degree of goal attainment by comparing patient outcomes with patient goals . Evaluate products to determine their safety, effectiveness, use, and cost effectiveness.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience Requirements:
• Minimum: Associate’s Degree from an accredited school of Nursing
• Preferred: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited school of Nursing.
• Licensed as a registered nurse in the applicable state.
• Current CPR certification Required.
• ACLS Preferred.
• Completion of an RN first assistant course in which the curriculum addressed all of the content areas of the Core Curriculum for the RN First Assistant and a degree or certificate was awarded. Certification is required (CRNFA) within the first 12 months of employment.
• Current certification in perioperative nursing (CNOR)- Preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of Surgery or O.R. experience.
• Extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, excellent eye-hand coordination, and ability to stand for long periods.
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About UC Health
UC Health is an integrated academic health system serving Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. In partnership with the University of Cincinnati, UC Health combines clinical expertise and compassion with research and teaching—a combination that provides patients with options for even the most complex situations. Members of UC Health include: UC Medical Center, West Chester Hospital, Daniel Drake Center for Post-Acute Care, Bridgeway Pointe Assisted Living, University of Cincinnati Physicians and UC Health Ambulatory Services (with more than 900 board-certified clinicians and surgeons), Lindner Center of HOPE and several specialized institutes including: UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. Many UC Health locations have received national recognition for outstanding quality and patient satisfaction. Learn more at uchealth.com.