RN First Assist - Full Time - Evenings - New Brunswick

Job Title: RN First Assist

Location: Morris Cancer Center

Department Name: Operating Room

Req #: 0000237303

Status: Hourly

Shift: Evening

Pay Range: $73.72 - $75.72 per hour

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

RWJBarnabas Health is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) to support surgical services across both the Morris Cancer Center and the Main Operating Room at our Level I Trauma Center on the New Brunswick campus,

This advanced perioperative role is designed for a clinically strong nurse who excels in high-acuity environments and brings demonstrated expertise in robotic-assisted surgery,

The RNFA will function as a critical surgical partner in complex oncology procedures as well as trauma and specialty surgical cases within a nationally recognized academic medical center,

This position reflects our commitment to Magnet-aligned nursing excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based surgical care,

Position Summary

The RN First Assist provides direct patient care during the intraoperative phase, functioning in an expanded perioperative nursing role under the direction of the attending surgeon,

This role supports advanced minimally invasive, robotic-assisted, trauma, and specialty surgical procedures across two highly specialized surgical environments,

The RNFA must demonstrate advanced technical skill, strong surgical anatomy knowledge, sound clinical judgment, and the ability to anticipate surgical needs in complex and high-pressure situations,

Qualifications

Required

Current Registered Nurse (RN) license State of New Jersey

Completion of an accredited RN First Assist program

Minimum 2 years Operating Room experience

Robotic surgery experience required

BLS and ACLS certification

Comprehensive knowledge of perioperative standards, sterile technique, and surgical anatomy

Preferred

CNOR certification

Experience in oncology, trauma, or high-acuity surgical services

Participation in quality initiatives or shared governance

Schedule

40 hours per week

11:00 AM 9:30 PM shift

Possible weekends, holidays, and on-call responsibilities as assigned

Coverage will include scheduled and on-call support across both the Morris Cancer Center and the Main Operating Room,

Key Responsibilities

Function as First Assist during surgical procedures, including robotic-assisted, oncology, and trauma cases

Provide exposure, tissue handling, hemostasis, suturing, and wound closure within scope of practice

Assist with patient positioning, prepping, and maintenance of the operative field

Anticipate surgeon needs to promote surgical efficiency and patient safety

Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and perioperative teams across service lines

Uphold AORN standards, hospital policies, and regulatory requirements

Accurately document intraoperative care and maintain compliance with quality metrics

What Sets This Role Apart

Dual practice environment: advanced oncology surgery and Level I trauma services

Exposure to complex robotic, minimally invasive, and emergent surgical cases

Practice within a collaborative, academic medical center committed to nursing excellence

Opportunities for specialty certification support and professional advancement

At RWJBarnabas Health, RNFAs are recognized as expert clinicians and essential members of the surgical team,

This position offers the opportunity to practice at an advanced level across two dynamic surgical platforms while making a measurable impact on patient outcomes,