Registered Nurse (RN) - First Assist
Adventist Health
Tulare, CA

Centrally located within the heart of California, Adventist Health Tulare has been serving the Central Valley since 2018. We are comprised of a 108-bed acute care hospital, emergency department and provide primary and specialty care services to best serve our community. Tulare is situated in a delightful and geographically diverse region. There are a variety of opportunities for all-season outdoor recreation such as camping, hiking, water and snow skiing, fishing and boating. It is also within an hour's travel time to Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. In addition to the beautiful landscape, it also offers a great cost of living and close-knit communities.

Job Summary:

Organizes and facilitates the patient while in the Operating Room (OR). Coordinates the overall care of patient between surgeon, anesthesiologist and room staff. Functions as a first assistant during surgical incision, excision, and repair of pathology throughout the perioperative period on procedures for which privileges have been granted. Participates in preoperative assessment and planning for selected surgical patients in collaboration with the healthcare team members in the preoperative location. Regularly demonstrates subject matter expertise regarding medication, treatment and patient care standards.

Job Requirements:

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN): Preferred
• Two years' perioperative nursing experience: Preferred

Licenses/Certifications:

• Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the state of practice: Required
• Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) certification in the state of practice: Required
• Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) certification in the state of practice: Preferred
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or Basic Life Support (BLS OR HS-BLS OR RQIBLS) certification: Required
• Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) certification: Required
• Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Status (PEARS)/Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS OR HS-PALS OR RQIPALS) certification: Preferred
• Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) membership: Preferred

Department Specific License/Certifications:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Healthstream Advanced Cardiac Life Support (HS-ACLS) or RQIACLS: Required

Essential Functions:

• Performs circulating and scrubbing duties. Verbally confirms surgical site/side before induction of anesthesia. Accurately performs all sponge, needle, sharp and instrument counts at appropriate time and according to department policy. Handles and dissects tissues in collaboration with the surgeon. Clamps blood vessels, coagulates bleeding points, ligates vessels, and performs other procedures in collaboration with the surgeon. Sutures muscle, fascia, subcutaneous, and skin tissue in collaboration with the surgeon. Places drains as surgically indicated. Assists with cannulation and decannulation procedures, if indicated.
• Assists with transferring the patient to and from the operating room, positioning, prepping and draping. Provides patient with safe and aseptic environment by applying the principles of aseptic technique. Takes corrective action to rectify breaks in aseptic technique. Inspects sterile items before opening and maintains sterility of items during delivery to sterile field. Obtains and interprets patient data to determine appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, as needed. Develops and implements action plan for practice changes to enhance patient outcomes.
• Maintains appropriate traffic patterns and personnel around the sterile field. Applies appropriate methods and parameters of sterilization/disinfection. Observes for general cleanliness of the Operating Room and takes appropriate action to amend, as necessary. Prepares instruments according to physician preference and scheduled procedure. Utilizes specific knowledge and skills in a surgical environment to assist the surgeon. Works under minimal supervision.
• Documents relevant data, including but not limited to nursing diagnoses, patient's plan of care, intervention and response, and discharge plan. Mentors, develops, inspires, educates and leads staff members in patient care setting. Enhances efficiency and cost effectiveness by identifying opportunities to decrease costs, as applicable to the job.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Organizational Requirements:

Adventist Health is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our associates and patients. Therefore, we require that all associates receive all required vaccinations, including, but not limited to, measles, mumps, flu (based on the seasonal availability of the flu vaccine typically during October-March each year), COVID-19 vaccine (required in CA, HI and OR) etc., as a condition of employment, and annually thereafter. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.