REGISTERED NURSE FIRST ASSISTANT (RNFA)

Company Description

• Renowned as the academic flagship of the University of Maryland Medical System, our Magnet®-designated facility is a nationally recognized, academic medical center with opportunities across the continuum of care.  Come join UMMC and discover the atmosphere where talents and ideas come together to enhance patient care and advance the science of nursing.  Located in downtown Baltimore near the Inner Harbor and Camden Yards, you won’t find a more vibrant place to work! 

Job Description

General Summary

Under general supervision of the Division Chief, Thoracic Surgery, assists in the performance of surgical procedures during Open Heart Surgery. During the intraoperative phase of open heart surgery, practices in collaboration with and at the direction of the cardiac surgeons to assist in the performance of the surgical procedures. The RN First Assistant does not concurrently function as a scrub nurse.

This role is aimed for the nurse who is a clinical and professional leader in their practice setting. He/she advances evidence based practices, leads unit governance initiatives, and mentors others to achieve and grow in the role of the professional nurse. As a senior member of the practice partnership in the perioperative setting, serves as a leader, change agent, and coordinator of patient care services within a specific service line. Takes a leadership role in overall design and implementation of a patient centered care delivery system that facilitates achievement of patient outcomes, supports continuity of care and patient flow between care delivery sites, and enhances patient and care giver satisfaction. Monitors the quality and cost effectiveness of nursing practice and governance systems at the unit level. Is accountable patients and families for the processes and outcomes of care during an episode of care. Is accountable to peers for the advancement of group practice and to the manager for the totality of work performance.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

Clinical Practice/Care Delivery

• Under the direct supervision of a surgeon, assists with the performance of surgical procedures and general patient care in the operating room in accordance with established nursing protocol, policor with established nursing protocol and the policies and procedures. Observable duties may include:

A. Assisting with positioning, prepping and draping of the patient.

B. Tissue handling including making incisions, retracting, dissecting, tying, ligating, stapling, suturing and providing hemostasis.

C. Endoscopic or open harvesting of the saphenous vein during coronary artery bypass procedures and preparation of the vein for bypass.

D. Preparing and loading the vein on an Aortic Connector System for proximal anastamosis.

E. Endoscopic or open harvesting of the radial artery during coronary artery bypass procedures, and preparation of the radial artery for bypass.

F. Setting-up cardiopulmonary bypass pump lines.

G. First or second assisting with cannulation, graft anastamosis, valve placement, decannulation, or any other phase of open heart procedures.

H. Installation of Intraortic Balloon Pump (IABP), femoral arterial lines, radial artery lines and femoral venous lines.

I. Chest tube insertion.

J.. Closure of the leg and chest incisions.

K. Defibrillation (internal or external) of patient as needed.

L. Assisting with emergency procedures and resuscitation as needed.

• Instructs and explains procedures to patients and families prior to surgery to assure an understanding of surgical procedure and ensure compliance with post-operative care.

A. Educates cardiothoracic patients regarding pre- and post-operative health care. Sees primarily adult patients undergoing open heart, lung, esophageal resection, dilatation procedures and repair procedures to the great vessels of the thorax.

• Serves as a clinical expert and professional resource for nurses; mentors and coaches other nurses to advance their developmen
•  Advances clinical practice; consistently integrates evidence into practice and uses this as a firm foundation for the practice setting; coaches staff
•  Utilizes clinical expertise to teach other nurses informally on the unit in a structured role or through formal teaching in classes

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