| Summary:
The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is a perioperative registered nurse who works in collaboration with the surgeon and health care team members to achieve optimal patient outcomes. The RNFA must have acquired the necessary knowledge, judgment, and skills specific to the expanded role of RNFA clinical practice. Intraoperatively, the RNFA practices at the direction of the surgeon and does not concurrently function as a scrub nurse.
Responsibilities:
1. Function as an assistant in all surgical specialties at the direction of the attending surgeon. 2. Perform RNFA responsibilities in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act of the state of North Carolina, institutional policies and practices of NHRMC and the AORN Position Statement on RN First Assistants. 3. Practice within limitations of preparation and experience. 4. Demonstrate RNFA specific clinical skills. Review and update skills checklist on an ongoing basis as specified by NHRMC. Interoperative nursing behaviors may include: a. handling tissue b. providing exposure c. using instruments d. suturing e. providing hemostasis 5. May perform pre and post-operative patient educations as designated. 6. Review chart for pertinent data 7. Assist in maintaining a safe environment and promoting efficiency in surgical procedures. 8. May perform patient rounds as directed by surgeon at times available from OR duties. | 
