Travel Nurse Level II RN - OR - Operating Room
Rochester, NY
Bluebix Solutions
3x12 hrs, Days
Referral Bonus

Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) – Operating Room, Robotics

Location: Rochester, New York

Pay Range for Travel Candidates: Up to $100 per hour.

Weekly Hours: 36 hours per week

Schedule: Three 12-hour shifts per week. No weekends required. Evening on-call coverage and rotating holiday assignments are required.

Duration: 13 weeks contract with potential for extension based on facility needs.

1. Position Overview

Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY, is seeking two highly skilled Registered Nurse First Assistants (RNFAs) with robotic surgery experience to join its Operating Room team. This position combines RN First Assistant responsibilities with circulating and scrubbing duties in a perioperative environment.

The RNFA collaborates with surgeons and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals to promote safe surgical care and optimal patient outcomes. Candidates must possess an active New York State RN license, CNOR certification, and completion of an accredited RN First Assistant program. Experience with the da Vinci robotic surgical system across multiple specialties is required.

2. Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with surgeons and the surgical team to ensure safe, efficient operative procedures and optimal patient outcomes.
• Perform RN First Assistant duties under the direction and in collaboration with the operating surgeon.
• Provide perioperative nursing care throughout the surgical experience, including preoperative preparation, intraoperative assistance, and postoperative coordination as appropriate.
• Assist surgeons during robotic surgical procedures, including tissue handling, exposure, hemostasis, suturing, and other duties within the RNFA scope of practice.
• Perform circulating and scrubbing duties when not assigned to the RNFA role.
• Support robotic surgical procedures using the da Vinci system in accordance with facility protocols and competency requirements.
• Maintain a sterile field and follow aseptic technique, infection prevention, and surgical safety standards.
• Verify patient identity, surgical site, procedure details, and required safety checks.
• Monitor patient safety and collaborate with the surgical team to address intraoperative concerns.
• Ensure appropriate handling of surgical instruments, equipment, supplies, and specimens.
• Communicate effectively with surgeons, anesthesiologists, perioperative nurses, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Maintain accurate perioperative documentation and comply with hospital policies and professional standards.
• Participate in evening on-call coverage and rotating holiday assignments as scheduled.

3. Required Qualifications – Education

• Graduate of an accredited Registered Nursing program.
• Completion of an accredited RN First Assistant (RNFA) educational program offered through a college or university.
• Demonstrated knowledge of perioperative nursing practice and surgical assisting principles.
• Additional robotic surgery training and documented competency with the da Vinci system.

4. Licensure and Certifications

• Active New York State Registered Professional Nurse (RN) license. New York licensure is required.
• Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) certification — required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) — required.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) — preferred.

5. Experience and Requirements

• Minimum of two years of operating room nursing experience.
• Level I trauma center experience preferred.
• Required experience with the da Vinci robotic surgical system.
• Robotic surgical experience in the following specialties:
  • Robotic urology.
  • Robotic gynecology (GYN).
  • Robotic colorectal surgery.
  • Robotic surgical oncology, including procedures such as Whipple procedures, gastrectomies, and hernia repairs.
  • Robotic thoracic surgery.
  • Robotic general surgery, including cholecystectomies and appendectomies.
• Proficiency in perioperative nursing practice, including circulating and scrubbing duties.
• Demonstrated competence in RNFA procedures and intraoperative surgical assistance.
• Ability to work collaboratively with surgeons and multidisciplinary operating room teams.
• Willingness to participate in evening call and rotating holiday coverage.
• Ability to meet facility credentialing, background screening, and clinical competency requirements.

6. Skills and Competencies

• Robotic Surgery Expertise: Practical experience assisting with da Vinci robotic procedures across multiple surgical specialties.
• RNFA Clinical Skills: Ability to provide skilled first-assistant support during operative procedures.
• Perioperative Nursing: Proficiency in circulating, scrubbing, sterile technique, and surgical safety practices.
• Surgical Anatomy Knowledge: Understanding of anatomy, surgical procedures, and intraoperative requirements.
• Critical Thinking: Ability to anticipate surgical needs and respond appropriately to changing clinical situations.
• Patient Safety: Commitment to infection prevention, sterile technique, and established surgical safety protocols.
• Team Collaboration: Ability to coordinate effectively with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and operating room staff.
• Communication: Clear, timely communication during complex surgical procedures.
• Attention to Detail: Accurate handling of instruments, supplies, documentation, and surgical safety checks.
• Adaptability: Ability to support different surgical specialties and perform combined RNFA, circulating, and scrubbing duties.
• Professional Judgment: Ability to practice within RNFA scope, facility policies, and applicable professional standards.