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

Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) – Open Heart Surgery

Location: Akron, Ohio
Facility: Acute Care Hospital
Assignment Length: 13 Weeks (Potential Extension)
Schedule: 40 Hours per Week
Shift: Monday–Friday | 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
On-Call: Required
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
 

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) with specialized Cardiovascular/Open Heart Surgery experience to join a high-performing Operating Room team. The ideal candidate will serve as the primary first assistant during complex cardiac surgical procedures, working alongside cardiovascular surgeons to provide exceptional patient care throughout the perioperative process.
 

Key Responsibilities

• Function as the Primary First Assistant during cardiovascular surgical procedures.
• Assist with complex open heart surgeries, including:
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)
  • Aortic Valve Repair & Replacement
  • Mitral Valve Repair & Replacement
  • Tricuspid Valve Repair & Replacement
  • Ascending Aorta Replacement
  • ECMO procedures
• Perform endoscopic or open vein harvesting for CABG procedures.
• Maintain a sterile surgical environment and ensure adherence to infection prevention standards.
• Collaborate effectively with surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, and the multidisciplinary surgical team.
• Monitor patient status before, during, and after surgical procedures.
• Accurately document surgical interventions and patient care.
• Participate in the on-call rotation as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Graduate of an accredited RN program.
• Completion of an accredited Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) program.
• Minimum 2 years of recent RNFA experience with extensive Open Heart/Cardiovascular Surgery experience.
• Demonstrated experience serving as the primary assistant in cardiac surgical procedures.
• Experience harvesting veins for CABG procedures is required.

Required Certifications

• BLS (AHA)
• ACLS (AHA)
• PALS
• NIH Stroke Certification

Required Skills

• Open Heart Surgery
• Cardiovascular Operating Room
• CABG
• Valve Repair & Replacement
• ECMO
• Vein Harvesting
• Sterile Surgical Technique
• Intraoperative Patient Care
• Critical Thinking
• Team Collaboration