Registered Nurse First Assistant

Position Summary: Provides patient care under the direction of Cardiovascular Thoracic surgeon and Cardiovascular services. During intraoperative care, serves as the first assistant to the surgeon during the surgical procedures. Assists the medical staff with pre and post-operative care of the cardiovascular patient in Intensive Care and Cardiac Specialty Unit, based on defined RNFA job specific competencies.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Functions primarily as a member of the CVTS team under the direction and supervision of the surgeon. When scheduling permits, will assist other members of the medical staff in patient management or in the performance of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
• Demonstrates sound first assist surgical skills throughout the peri-operative phase and post-operative phase, based on defined RNFA job specific competencies-see addendum,
• Assists with pre-operative testing of the patient, reviewing patient chart in preparation of discussion with the surgeon, including clinical review of medical history, lab and diagnostic test results, and medications.
• Accurately and correctly performs all elements of the pre-operative preparations in the operating room to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
• Evaluates and treats routine patient problems within the scope of developed protocols.
• Serves as a liaison between surgeon and family/significant others during operative procedures.
• Makes daily rounds with or without physicians, writes progress notes and discharge summaries to facilitate patient care and ensure timely discharge of the patient.
• Writes verbal orders from physician wither after contact with the physician or per well-defined protocols.
• Responsible for quality assessment activities, including monitoring and sharing of key quality patient care metrics through continuous quality improvement.
• Performs accurate and thorough documentation meeting all core measures and STS (Society of Thoracic Surgeons) standard of care elements.
• Serves as a professional resource for nurses and other hospital personnel related to the care of cardiovascular patient.
• Performs other related job duties as requested.
  
  

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelors Degree of Science in Nursing or Physician Assistant program.
• Current State of Michigan Registered Nurse license
• Successful completion of a RNFA program that meets AORN standards for RNFA assist education program*
• BLS certification from American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (ARC), or Canadian equivalent, is required before start date and valid at least 60 days beyond start date .
• ACLS required by end of orientation
• Minimum of three (3) years prior clinical experience related to the care of the cardiovascular surgical patient or related experience
• Minimum two (2) years intra-operative experience with proficiency in scrubbing and circulating duties
• McLaren Macomb employees hired prior to October 1, 2019, are considered grandfathered into the RNFA role and are not required to have completed a formal RNFA program.
  
  

Preferred:

• Certification as an RNFA (CRNFA) through CCI (Competency and Credentialing Institute)
• Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant.
  
  

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time
• Requisition ID: 26000916
• Daily Work Times: Variable
• Hours Per Pay Period: 80
• On Call: Yes
• Weekends: Yes