Under general direction, the Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) works in collaboration with, and under the direct observation of the surgeon in the delivery of care in the Operating Room (OR) for patients undergoing surgical procedures following the use of standardized procedures primarily related to assisting with patient positioning, skin preparation, draping, wound exposure, handling of tissue, using instruments, suturing, and providing hemostasis.
Distinguishing Characteristics: The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is distinguished from other nursing classifications in that incumbents practice under the supervision of the surgeon during the intraoperative phase of the perioperative experience in an acute care setting. The RNFA may not perform the function of a scrub nurse while functioning as the RNFA.
EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Some positions may be eligible for educational incentive. This incentive may be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% for incumbents in eligible positions based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.
CERTIFICATION PAY: $0.813 per hour based on scheduled work week hours for each qualified certification for up to five (5) certifications. One of the five certifications may be paid at $2.00 per hour for a National Certification (List provided in the CNA MOA 2020-2023 - exhibit 9 - found here
DEPARTMENT/AGENCY: Health Care Agency – Ventura County Medical Center
Registered Nurse First Assistant are represented by the California Nurses Association (CNA) and are eligible for overtime compensation.
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Intermittent, Per Diem Pool, and Extra-Help vacancies within the Health Care Agency. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: 1/11/2024
CLOSING DATE: Continuous (Previously 1/26/24)Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
- Participates in preoperative assessment and planning for surgical patients specific to RNFA activities (e.g., anatomical exposure, wound closure) in collaboration with perioperative team members.
- Functions as a registered nurse first assistant during operative and other invasive procedures by:
- Providing exposure through correct use of instruments, retractors, suction, and sponging techniques;
- Handling and dissecting tissues in collaboration with the surgeon;
- Clamping blood vessels, coagulates bleeding points, and ligating of vessels in collaboration with the surgeon;
- Placing drains as directed by the surgeon; and
- Suturing muscle, fascia, subcutaneous, and skin in collaboration with the surgeon.
- Follows selected surgical patients postoperatively specific to RNFA activities (e.g., postoperative rounding, dressing changes) in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
- Ensures quality and safety in the perioperative areas: protects patients from injury; ensures Universal protocol is followed; participates in instrument counts.
- Ensures patients return to pre-operative baseline after surgery, including achievement of normothermia.
- Ensures adherence to infection control procedures, protection from surgical site infection, ensuring sterile field is uncompromised.
- Prepares the patient for the procedure and assists with the preparation of the operating room before the surgery takes place (preoperative activities include patient assessment, review of consent and test results, etc.); and communicates any concerns raised by these activities.
- Works in an interdisciplinary team to assess the needs of the patient during the procedure, coordinates the care plan, ensures communication and activities among team members.
- Acts as liaison for robotic surgeries: ensures adequate supplies, monitors utilization and presents data on robotic cases to appropriate committees.
- Provides direction to other health care professionals and ancillary staff who are participating in the care of the patient and when appropriate including delegation of tasks such as specimen transport.
- Orients qualified candidates and new personnel on hospital policies and procedures when appropriate.
- Maintains medical staff privileging requirements up-to-date, including CME requirements.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE:
Education: Graduation from an accredited school of nursing and successful completion of an RNFA program that meets the Association of Perioperative RN (AORN) standards;
AND
Experience: Equivalent to two (2) years of recent full-time registered nurse experience in hospital intraoperative setting.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must possess and maintain a current, valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the State of California.
- Must possess and maintain a current certification in Perioperative Nursing (CNOR).
- Possession or ability to become eligible for certification as Certified RN First Assistant (CRNFA) and take/pass exam within two years of hire.
- Must possess and maintain a current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)certification.
- Must have a current, valid Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification by first day of employment.
DESIRED
- Experience with robotic surgery
- Experience in orthopedics
- Experience with Cerner
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Thorough knowledge of: the theories, techniques, and practices used in nursing care and the role of the RNFA in specialized units, including an acute care operating room; medical terminology; and general hospital practices which include equipment use and safe medication practices.
Working knowledge and proficiency with electronic medical records ("EMR") systems, specifically Cerner.
Skill in: effective leadership; problem solving; collaboration; and communication.
Ability to: plan and organize patient care with a high level of attention to detail; work in a high-pressure environment; remain calm in a crisis; and be flexible to work various hours, including on-call shifts; orient new staff; be a self-starter; make critical decisions based on available information about the patient; coordinate the patient's health care; collaborate with physicians and other health care professionals; direct the activities of other operating room personnel; maintain the confidentiality of patient/client information; establish and maintain effective interpersonal relations with other staff members, patients, and their families in difficult situations; and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.FINAL FILING DATE:This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.
APPLICATION EVALUATION - Pass/Fail: An application evaluation will be conducted to determine whether or not each applicant possesses the required licensure and certification for this recruitment. Those candidates who do will be placed on the eligible list.
Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Brett Ramirez by e-mail at Brett.Ramirez@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 654-2277.
