Local Contract Nurse RN - CVOR First Assist
Akron, OH
Encode INC
5x8 hrs, Days
Referral Bonus

Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) – Cardiovascular Operating Room (CVOR)

Location: Summa Health – Akron Campus, Akron, OH
Department: Operating Room (OR)
Position Type: Long-Term Assignment (LTA)
Contract Duration: July 5, 2026 – October 3, 2026
Shift: Monday – Friday | 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
On-Call: Required
Openings: 1
Experience Required: Minimum 2 years of RNFA/CVOR experience
Interview Required: Yes
 

Position Overview

Summa Health is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) with specialized Cardiovascular Operating Room (CVOR) experience to join its surgical team at Akron Campus. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience serving as the primary surgical assistant during complex open-heart procedures and demonstrate expertise in vein harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

This role requires collaboration with cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, and multidisciplinary surgical teams to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care throughout the perioperative process.
 

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary RN First Assistant during cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgical procedures.
• Assist surgeons during complex open-heart surgeries, including:
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
  • Aortic Valve Repair and Replacement
  • Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement
  • Tricuspid Valve Repair and Replacement
  • Ascending Aorta Replacement
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) procedures
• Perform endoscopic and/or open vein harvesting for CABG procedures.
• Provide surgical exposure, tissue handling, hemostasis, suturing, and wound closure.
• Maintain sterile technique and adherence to perioperative standards of care.
• Monitor patient status and collaborate with the surgical team to ensure optimal outcomes.
• Participate in on-call rotations and respond to emergent cardiovascular surgical cases as required.
• Ensure compliance with hospital policies, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements.
• Accurately document patient care and surgical activities in the electronic medical record.

Required Qualifications

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• RN First Assistant (RNFA) certification/training.
• Minimum 2 years of recent Cardiovascular Operating Room (CVOR) and RNFA experience.
• Demonstrated experience assisting in open-heart surgical procedures.
• Proven experience with vein harvesting for CABG surgeries.
• Strong knowledge of cardiovascular surgical anatomy, procedures, and perioperative nursing standards.
• Excellent communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.

Required Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) – AHA
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• NIH Stroke Certification