Surgical Assist, RNFA or Physician Assistant First Assist

Company: University Hospitals
Location: Willoughby
Posted on: March 18, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Description The Surgical Assistant works under the direction and supervision of the attending physician to provide aid in exposure, hemostasis, closure and other intraoperative technical functions that assist the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. Performs preoperative and postoperative duties to meet needs of the patient during the perioperative period. Provides technical 1st and 2nd assistance for surgical procedures. \n When you join UH, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, which includes, but is not limited to: \n \n Competitive salary \n $5,000 sign on bonus \n Medical, dental, and vision coverage \n Paid time off \n Retirement and pension plans \n \n Essential Functions \n \n Provides intraoperative technical functions in all facets of the first assistant role. \n Displays knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human body while delivering safe patient care. \n Establishes and maintains a safe perioperative environment. \n Supports the perioperative area or other duties as assigned per entity. \n \n The Physician Assistant (PA) is responsible for providing quality care for patients and increasing patient access and satisfaction. Standard tasks to be performed by a PA as specified by the Ohio State Board of Medicine and UH entity specific Medical Bylaws. \n What You Will Do- PA \n \n Initiates and maintains positive relationships w/pts/customers (10%) \n Initiates and maintains positive relationships w/co-workers (10%) \n Takes responsibility for self-development and supports a learning environment (10%) \n Displays commitment to the mission of the hospital and its values (10%) \n Performs patient assessment and assigns diagnosis based on recorded assessment data and current scientific and current research (20%) \n Establishes plan of care and implements interventions in accordance w/carepaths, protocols, and standards of care and current research (15%) \n Collaborates w/other health care providers in an interdisciplinary approach to provide care to the patient and family (5%) \n Contributes to the educational development of staff, patients, family and self (5%) \n Demonstrates progressive leadership and effective management (5%) \n Provides education through role modeling and in-services to meet identified learning needs and to promote professionalism (5%) \n Advances own professional development through self-directed learning, continuing education and participation in peer review (5%) \n \n Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities- PA \n \n Demonstrated leadership skills. (Required proficiency) \n Demonstrated skills in interpersonal relationships. (Required proficiency) \n Computer skills to access patient medical data from UHHS mainframe. (Required proficiency) \n Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Outlook. (Required proficiency) \n Demonstrated skills in related to Informatics Technology. (Required proficiency) \n \n \n Lifting - Frequently (50 lbs) \n Carrying - Frequently (50 lbs) \n Pushing - Frequently (50 lbs) \n Pulling - Frequently (50 lbs) \n \n The RNFA works under the supervision of the attending physician to assess manage and evaluate the surgical patient during the perioperative period. The RNFA provides technical 1st and 2nd assistance for surgical procedures. \n What You Will Do- RNFA \n \n Applies the nursing process in all facets of the nurse first assistant role. \n Displays knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human body while delivering safe patient care. \n Establishes and maintains a safe perioperative procedural environment. \n Offers education development opportunities to residents, nursing staff, students and any other appropriate persons in the specific surgery and patient management. \n Utilizes ongoing data collection perioperative, procedural, and follow-up information to aid in research care studies that promote effectiveness and quality of patient care. \n \n Skills and Abilities- RNFA \n \n Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, proper use of all instruments and equipment used during CT surgery procedures. (Required proficiency) \n High degree of hand/eye coordination and uniform mental attention (Required proficiency) \n \n Required For All Jobs \n \n Performs other duties as assigned. \n Complies with all policies and standards. \n For specific duties and responsibilities, refer to documentation provided by the department during orientation. \n Must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace. \n Qualifications Qualifications Education- Surgical Assistants Completion of an accredited Surgical Assistant Program or an equivalent program that meets the educational requirements of the designated national certifying body. (Required) Education- Physician Assistants Master's Degree from an accredited PA educational program – Required Education Qualifications- RNFA Graduation from an accredited RN Program -Required Completion of state approved RNFA program -Required Licenses and Certifications- RNFA Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) authorized by the Ohio Board of Nursing to practice as a registered nurse first assistant prior to April 1, 1998 and who holds as of October 1, 1998 certification as a CNOR. (Required) Work Experience- Surgical Assistants Physician relations experience -Strongly Preferred Work Experience- Physician Assistant 1 years as a PA -Strongly Preferred Experience Qualifications- RNFA 2 years Perioperative nursing experience -Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Excellent interpersonal skills-Required Detail oriented with excellent organizational and analytical skills-Required Demonstrated skills related to Informatics Technology-Required Working knowledge of equipment with the ability to troubleshoot issues for resolution. -Required Additional Licenses and Certifications- Surgical Assistant National Certification Required National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Required Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA) Required Licenses and Certifications-Physician Assistant Physician Assistant (PA) (Required) Basic Life Support (BLS) (Required) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) (Preferred) Passed the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (Required) Practice with a supervising physician (Required Upon Hire) Maintain national PA Certification (Required) Practice with a supervising physician (Required Upon Hire) Crawling Occasionally Reaching Frequently Handling Frequently Grasping Frequently Feeling Constantly Talking Constantly Hearing Constantly Repetitive Motions Constantly Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Constantly Lifting - Frequently (50 lbs) Carrying - Frequently (50 lbs) Pushing - Frequently (50 lbs) Pulling - Frequently (50 lbs) Physical Demands for all positions Standing Frequently Walking Frequently Sitting Rarely Lifting Frequently 50 lbs Carrying Frequently 50 lbs Pushing Frequently 50 lbs Pulling Frequently 50 lbs Climbing Occasionally 50 lbs Balancing Occasionally Stooping Frequently Kneeling Frequently Crouching Frequently Crawling Occasionally Reaching Frequently Handling Frequently Grasping Frequently Feeling Constantly Talking Constantly Hearing Constantly Repetitive Motions Constantly Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Constantly

Keywords: University Hospitals, Canton , Surgical Assist, RNFA or Physician Assistant First Assist, Healthcare , Willoughby, Ohio