Surgical First Assist Nurse

As a Registered Nurse Surgical First Assistant (RN/STFA), you will play a vital role in supporting surgeons and the surgical team to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care throughout the perioperative experience. This role combines advanced clinical nursing practice with technical surgical assisting skills to support a wide range of surgical procedures.

Every day you will assist with preparing the operating room, ensuring the availability and proper functioning of surgical equipment and instrumentation, and maintaining a sterile and safe surgical environment. You will be expected to be both a circulating nurse and a surgical first assistant, you will collaborate closely with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and the surgical team to support optimal patient outcomes.

During surgical procedures, you will function as a Surgical First Assistant, providing direct intraoperative support to the surgeon. Responsibilities may include tissue handling, exposure, hemostasis, suturing, wound closure, and, when applicable, vein harvesting. You will anticipate the needs of the surgical team, assist in maintaining visualization of the operative field, and help facilitate efficient surgical workflow. In addition to assisting with surgery, you will use your nursing expertise to conduct comprehensive patient assessments, ensure adherence to perioperative safety standards, and advocate for the patient throughout the surgical experience. This includes supporting safe positioning, maintaining sterile technique, and ensuring compliance with established perioperative protocols.

To be successful in this role, you must demonstrate strong clinical judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced surgical environment. A collaborative mindset, attention to detail, and commitment to patient safety are essential to supporting both the surgical team and positive patient outcomes.

• Performs assessment/data collection in an on-going systematic manner, focusing on physiologic, psychosocial, cultural, spiritual and cognitive status; also nutrition, pain, patient/family education, family involvement and patient advocacy. Formulates a goal-directed plan of care that is prioritized and based on determined nursing diagnosis and patient outcomes. Able to plan and demonstrate the knowledge for the needs according to the age of the patient, infant, child, adolescent, adult and the elderly. Delivers care in a non-judgmental and non-discriminatory manner that preserves/protects patient autonomy, dignity and rights.
• Implements care in a thorough, skillful and consistent manner. Provides exposure, hemostasis, knot tying and suturing. Handles tissue and utilizes instruments as needed. Maintains proficiency in the scrub tech role.
• Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for own professional practice. Establishes priorities for patient care based on essential patient needs and available unit resources of time, personnel, equipment, and supplies.
• Evaluates effectiveness of care given by health care team members. Effectively communicate with patients, staff and providers. Identifies patient/family learning needs and implements appropriate measures, including teach-back.
• Documents patient care and unit activities in a timely, accurate, and concise manner. Demonstrates an awareness of and sensitivity to patient/family rights, age specific needs, cultural and ethical beliefs.
• Helps identify aspects of care or unit processes in need of quality improvement and monitoring, and participates in Performance Improvement/Continuous Quality Improvement activities as assigned.

Required

• Associate of Nursing and Nine (9) months of general RN or Skilled RN experience. 
• Two (2) years of scrub tech experience 
• Six (6) months of recent first assistant on-the-job experience and/or a letter of recommendation from surgeons for whom they have performed as a first assistant
• Successful completion of an approved First Assistant program with a curriculum that includes didactic and clinical training designed for first assisting the surgeon.
• Registered Nurse: AZ
• AHA Basic Life Support - CPR
• AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Preferred

• Bachelor's of Nursing and Nine (9) months of general RN or Skilled RN experience
• One (1) year of circulating or a combination of scrub and circulating experience; CVOR experience for Cardiac Surgery Service Team
• Electronic Medical Record experience.

Are you ready to join a healthcare family where your values align with ours? At Dignity Health – Yavapai Regional Medical Center (DH-YRMC), now a proud part of CommonSpirit Health, a not-for-profit integrated healthcare provider, our core mission guides every decision and every interaction.

Here, you'll discover more than just a job; you'll find rewarding career opportunities across a comprehensive network of inpatient and outpatient services. From a vibrant community hospital, YRMC has grown into a leading regional healthcare system.

Today, that means you could be making an impact at:

• Two state-of-the-art acute care hospitals
• A robust network of primary and specialty care clinics
• Modern outpatient health and wellness services
• Acclaimed cardiac diagnostic centers
• Advanced outpatient medical imaging facilities

Elevate your career without sacrificing your quality of life. As you grow with YRMC, you'll find the Prescott area isn't just a place to work – it's an inspiring community designed for living, thriving, and embracing the outdoors. Imagine a charming blend of bygone appeal and modern amenities, coupled with four distinct seasons and nearly year-round sunshine perfect for every adventure.

Say hello to a relaxed lifestyle that empowers you to prioritize both your professional growth and family time. YRMC extends this inviting spirit within our walls, fostering a strong sense of family, and belonging among our team members.

Come experience the exceptional quality of life that YRMC and Prescott offer. Work at the heart of #hellohumankindness and discover where your career and well-being truly connect.

Depending on the position offered, CommonSpirit Health offers a generous benefit package, including but not limited to medical, prescription drug, dental, vision plans, life insurance, paid time off (full-time benefit eligible team members may receive a minimum of 14 paid time off days, including holidays annually), tuition reimbursement, retirement plan benefit(s) including, but not limited to, 401(k), 403(b), and other defined benefits offerings, as may be amended from time to time. For more information, please visit our Total Rewards.

Unless directed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, applications for this position will be considered on a rolling basis. CommonSpirit Health cannot anticipate the date by which a successful candidate may be identified.