RN First Assistant (RNFA) job description.
An RN First Assistant provides direct surgical assistance to the operating surgeon, including tissue handling, hemostasis, and wound closure. Working as an advanced practice perioperative nurse, they support surgical teams in the operating room to improve efficiency and patient outcomes during procedures.
The RN First Assistant (RNFA) job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: RN First Assistant (RNFA) Reports to: Surgeon or OR Nursing Director
An RN First Assistant provides direct surgical assistance to the operating surgeon, including tissue handling, hemostasis, and wound closure. Working as an advanced practice perioperative nurse, they support surgical teams in the operating room to improve efficiency and patient outcomes during procedures.
- Assist the surgeon with exposure, tissue handling, and hemostasis during surgery
- Perform wound closure and suturing under surgeon supervision
- Prepare and position patients for surgical procedures
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
2 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Surgeon or OR Nursing Director
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Assist the surgeon with exposure, tissue handling, and hemostasis during surgery
- Perform wound closure and suturing under surgeon supervision
- Prepare and position patients for surgical procedures
- Coordinate with the surgical team on instrumentation and supplies
- Monitor patient status intraoperatively and communicate changes
- Maintain sterile technique throughout procedures
- Provide pre- and post-operative patient education and support
- Document surgical assistance and patient care activities accurately
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Current licensure/certification as required by state and employer
- RNFA certification through an accredited program
- Prior experience as an operating room registered nurse
- Strong knowledge of surgical procedures and sterile technique
- Specialization in a surgical subspecialty (orthopedics, cardiac, general surgery)
- CNOR certification
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the RN First Assistant (RNFA) job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this RN First Assistant (RNFA) job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The senior band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Surgeon or OR Nursing Director) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What certification is required to work as an RNFA?
- Candidates should hold current RN licensure plus RNFA certification from an accredited perioperative training program.
- How does an RNFA differ from a surgical technologist?
- An RNFA is a licensed registered nurse with advanced surgical assisting training who can perform tasks like suturing, whereas a surgical technologist primarily manages instruments and the sterile field.
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This RN First Assistant (RNFA) job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.