Job Summary:  
Practices autonomously and in accordance with professional nursing standards, within parameters of the Illinois Nurse Practice Act, and within the policies and procedures of Anderson Surgery Center.  Responsible for safe and effective delivery of patient care to the operative patient.  Effectively utilizes the nursing process to ensure optimal nursing care and patient outcomes.  Guides and directs patient care in the OR setting and works in conjunction with the operating room technicians. The RNFA practices in collaboration with and at the direction of the surgeon during the intraoperative phase.  The activities included in the first assistant role are further refinements of perioperative nursing practice.  May serve in the role as scrub or circulator.  Is responsible for maintaining instrumentation, maintaining equipment, stocking of supplies, cleaning of the department, and coordinating cleaning/preparation/sterilization of instrumentation in the Sterile Processing department.  May be cross trained in providing nursing care in all areas of the Anderson Surgery Center. 

Service and Quality Standards:

1.    Service
Is Customer focused
    Anticipates customer needs
    Adheres to customer service standards
Is Competent, caring and compassionate
    Treats coworkers and customers with dignity and respect
    Demonstrates competent, caring and compassionate behavior 
    to customers and coworkers
2.    People
Is conversation conscious
    Assures confidentiality of patient and employee information
Is positive in interactions with others
Is courteous and respectful
    Promotes a harassment free environment
    Inspires the trust of others
Acts in accordance with hospital policies, meets the requirements of the Code of Conduct/ Code of Excellence and identifies any conflicts of interest.
3.    Quality
Is excellent in patient care and service
    Demonstrates multidisciplinary cooperation
    Assists in obtaining excellent satisfaction scores of feedback
Is safety conscious
    Demonstrates safety consciousness and supports safety initiatives
Is involved with improvement efforts
    Supports performance improvement
    Seeks ways to improve systems and services
    Shows commitment to improvement efforts
    Meets mandatory educational requirements
4.    Growth
Is a loyal ambassador
    Demonstrates commitment to hospital mission and vision
Is active and involved
    Supports hospital initiatives
    Champions innovation and supports change
Is a positive role model
    Fosters team cooperation
5.    Finance
Is a good steward of hospital resources
    Develops/uses efficient work methods
Is cost effective
    Conserves organizational resources

Job Responsibilities:

1.    Supports patient’s rights and responsibilities, including respect of cultural, ethical and religious diversity.
2.    Provides age-appropriate and population specific patient care in a safe, skillful, accurate and efficient manner to all populations.
3.    Assesses patient and family learning needs and provides ongoing education and evaluation.  Documents readiness to learn, teaching barriers and outcomes.
4.    Completes documentation accurately and appropriately in a timely manner, according to policies and procedures.  
5.    Effectively utilizes the nursing process to ensure optimal nursing care and patient outcomes
•    Assessment/Reassessment
•    Nursing Diagnosis/Goal Setting/Plan
•    Implementation
•    Evaluation
6.    Engages in activities to expand and/or enhance the professional nursing role, which includes integration of research and evidence based practice.
•    Seeks continuing educational opportunities
•    Supports professional Nursing Organizations
•    Supports Nursing certification
•    Utilizes evidence-based practice
•    Supports and utilizes research in practice
•    Supports committee/council involvement
7.    Demonstrates flexibility in staffing to meet department, organization and patient/family needs.
8.    Provides leadership and autonomy in the professional practice setting and the profession.
•      Assists with the orientation of new employees
•      Precepts student nurses
•      Delegates appropriately
•      Self-manages time and responsibilities
9.    Conducts self in a professional manner.
10.    Provides leadership and autonomy in the professional practice setting and the 
profession.
11.    Facilitates interventions in accordance with the patients established plan of care and provides appropriate nursing interventions for the patient undergoing surgical intervention.
12.    Maintains current knowledge and practice of Anderson Surgery Center policies and procedures.
13.    Assesses the patient’s initial and ongoing condition.
14.    Formulates a plan and identifies individualized patient needs.
15.    Evaluates progress towards the attainment of the patient’s plan of care by constantly individualizing, updating and prioritizing the plan of care.
16.    Demonstrates competency of intra-op responsibilities as indicated in department.
17.    Follows direction of surgeon which may include handling tissue, providing exposure, using instruments, suturing, and providing hemostasis
18.    Maintains credentialing as an RNFA through medical staff office.
19.    Demonstrates competency of circulating and scrubbing
20.    Demonstrates knowledge of surgical anatomy and physiology and first assistant operative techniques related to the specific procedures in all specialty areas.
21.    Delegate’s responsibilities to appropriate health care team members and monitors their activity and work performance. 
22.    Implements surgical intervention and demonstrates knowledge, skills, and manual dexterity to assist the surgeon.
23.    Independently follows up on appropriate needs for patients.
24.    Cross training as needed within other areas of the surgery center.
25.    Other duties may be assigned by the Surgery Center Director as necessary to facilitate the functions of Anderson Surgery Center. Work hours or shifts may be changed as necessary in order to provide adequate staffing for the department.
 

Education Requirements and Other Requirements:

Education Level:  Graduate of an accredited nursing program; Graduate of an accredited program in surgical assisting that includes didactic instruction and supervised clinical learning activities or on the job training.

Certification/Licensure:  Illinois licensed or eligible.  RNFA certification, CRNFA preferred, CNOR required.  CPR certification required; ACLS provider status required or completed within six months.

Experience Requirements: Minimum three years circulator/scrub experience.      

Working Conditions: Exposure Category I:  Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues.  All procedures or other job-related tasks that involve an inherent potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues, or a potential for spills or splashes of them, are Category I tasks.  Use of appropriate protective measures is required for every employee engaged in Category I tasks.
 

Physical Activity:

                                                                         NA       0-25%      26-75%        76-100%

Lift/Carry                                                                                                                X

Push/Pull                                                                                                               X                      

Reach Overhead                                                                             X

Climb                                                                               X

Squat/Bend/Kneel                                                                            X

Sit                                                                                    X

Stand                                                                                                                     X

Walk/Move About                                                                                                   X

The most significant duties have been included in this description.  Other duties may be assigned and the surgery center has the right to modify this job description as needed to accurately reflect assigned duties.