OR Registered Nurse - First Assist

OR Registered Nurse - First Assist
Location: Portland, OR area (worksite in Happy Valley and Oregon City, OR)
Shift/Schedule: Full-time, onsite, operating room schedule with call per department needs
Pay/Compensation: $129,792 – $183,269 per year (equivalent to $62.40 – $88.11 per hour)

About the Role
A leading regional healthcare provider known for patient-centric care is hiring experienced Registered Nurse First Assistants for its surgical services team. These nurses work directly alongside surgeons to deliver safe, efficient care before, during, and after surgery. The organization offers strong pay, stable full-time schedules, and a collaborative operating room culture.

The ideal candidate is an experienced perioperative nurse who has already worked as a first assistant and is confident across a variety of surgical specialties. You anticipate the surgeon's needs, protect patient safety at every step, and communicate clearly with the entire operating room team.

This is a permanent, direct-hire opportunity presented by The Employee Connect. Qualified candidates will be contacted promptly to review the role, answer questions, and discuss next steps in the interview process.

Core Responsibilities

• Serve as first assistant to surgeons during a wide range of surgical procedures
• Provide exposure, hemostasis, tissue handling, and wound closure under surgeon direction
• Complete preoperative assessments and help prepare patients for surgery
• Collaborate with circulating nurses, scrub staff, and anesthesia to maintain patient safety
• Follow sterile technique, surgical counts, and time-out protocols on every case
• Document intraoperative care accurately in the electronic health record
• Support postoperative handoff and patient education as needed

Required Qualifications

• Active Oregon Registered Nurse license, or eligibility to obtain before start
• RNFA certification or completion of an accredited first assistant program
• Solid perioperative nursing experience in an operating room setting
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications
• Ability to stand for extended periods and wear protective equipment
• Willingness to participate in call as scheduled

Preferred Qualifications

• CNOR certification
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• First assist experience across general, orthopedic, or vascular surgery
• Experience within a large integrated health system
• Epic electronic health record experience

Benefits & Pay

• Pay: $129,792 – $183,269 per year (equivalent to $62.40 – $88.11 per hour)
• Overtime eligible per hospital policy
• Two full-time openings with stable operating room schedules
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits through the employer
• Collaborative surgical team with strong nursing support
• Long-term career growth within a large health system

Screening Questions

1. Do you hold RNFA certification, and how many years have you worked as a first assistant?
2. Which surgical specialties have you first assisted in most often?
3. Do you hold, or are you eligible for, an Oregon Registered Nurse license?