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First Assist Rnfa Jobs in Irvine, CA (NOW HIRING)

Astrana Health Management

RN First Assist

Tustin, CA · On-site

$65 - $85/hr

RN First Assist Department: 7420-Surgery & Recovery Employment Type: Full Time Location: 14662 ... The RNFA ensures the delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centered care for individuals ...

Astrana Health, Inc.

RN First Assist

Aliso Viejo, CA · On-site

$65 - $85/hr

RN First Assist Department: 7420-Surgery & Recovery Employment Type: Full Time Location: 14662 ... The RNFA ensures the delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centered care for individuals ...

Astrana Health

RN First Assist

Tustin, CA

$65 - $85/hr

The RNFA ensures the delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centered care for individuals ... Successful completion of an RN First Assistant (RNFA) education program that includes a supervised ...

Astrana Health, Inc.

RN First Assist

Tustin, CA · On-site

$65 - $85/hr

The RNFA ensures the delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centered care for individuals ... Successful completion of an RN First Assistant (RNFA) education program that includes a supervised ...

All JobsFirst Assist Rnfa JobsFirst Assist Rnfa Jobs in Irvine, CA

First Assist Rnfa information

See Irvine, CA salary details

$712

$2.3K

$4.1K

How much do first assist rnfa jobs pay per week?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average weekly pay for first assist rnfa in Irvine, CA is $2,336.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $1,784.62 and $2,621.15 per week, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a First Assist RNFA?

A First Assist RNFA, or Registered Nurse First Assistant, is a specialized registered nurse who assists surgeons during surgical procedures. They play a crucial role in the operating room by providing direct patient care, including handling tissues, using instruments, and suturing incisions under the supervision of a surgeon. RNFAs also help with preoperative and postoperative care, ensuring patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes. To become an RNFA, a nurse must have advanced education and training in perioperative nursing and first assisting.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a First Assist RNFA?

To thrive as a First Assist RNFA, you need advanced perioperative nursing skills, a solid understanding of surgical procedures, and completion of a Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) program with current RN licensure. Familiarity with surgical instruments, sterile techniques, and documentation systems is essential, along with certifications such as CNOR or RNFA credentialing. Strong communication, teamwork, and critical thinking abilities help you anticipate surgeon needs and respond quickly to changes during surgery. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensuring patient safety, efficient surgical workflows, and positive outcomes in the operating room.

What are some common challenges First Assist RNFAs encounter in the operating room, and how can they effectively address them?

First Assist RNFAs often face challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing surgical environments, managing intraoperative complications, and communicating efficiently with surgeons and surgical teams. To address these, it’s important to stay updated on surgical protocols, maintain strong situational awareness, and proactively communicate any concerns or observations. Building trust with the surgical team and participating in ongoing training can also help RNFAs handle high-pressure situations and contribute to positive patient outcomes.

What is the difference between First Assist Rnfa vs Surgical Technologist?

AspectFirst Assist RnfaSurgical Technologist
CredentialsRN license, First Assist certificationPost-secondary education, surgical tech certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, surgical centers, assisting during surgeriesOperating rooms, assisting surgeons, preparing instruments
Employer & IndustryHospitals, surgical clinics, healthcare providersHospitals, outpatient surgical centers, clinics

First Assist Rnfa and Surgical Technologists both work in surgical settings, but First Assist Rnfa typically holds an RN license and provides direct patient care during surgeries, while Surgical Technologists focus on preparing the operating room and assisting surgeons with instruments. The roles overlap in the surgical environment but differ in scope and credentials.

Is a First Assist RNFA in demand?

First Assist RNs (RNFAs) are in increasing demand due to the growing need for skilled perioperative professionals in surgical teams. They typically require specialized training and certification, and their role enhances surgical efficiency and patient outcomes, making them a valuable asset in hospitals and surgical centers.

Is becoming a first assist RNFA worth it?

Becoming a first assist RNFA can enhance surgical career opportunities by providing advanced perioperative skills and increasing earning potential. It requires additional certification and training, but it can lead to more responsibilities and job satisfaction in surgical settings.
First Assist Rnfa jobs near you
Infographic showing various First Assist Rnfa job openings in Irvine, CA as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $121,523 per year, or $58.4 per hour.

RN First Assist

Tustin, CA • On-site

Astrana Health Management
See more jobs at Astrana Health Managementexternal

$65 - $85/hr

Other

Posted 10 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Provide advanced clinical support to the surgeon during operative procedures to ensure patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes.

  • Perform preoperative assessments, intraoperative first-assist responsibilities, and postoperative evaluations of care.

  • Demonstrate expertise in aseptic techniques, infection prevention practices, and operating room standards.

Job description

RN First Assist

Department: 7420-Surgery & Recovery

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: 14662 Newport Ave, Tustin, CA 92780 ("HOSPITAL")

Reporting To: Glenda Luce

Compensation: $65.00 - $85.00 / hour


DescriptionAbout the Role
The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is a highly skilled perioperative nurse who utilizes the nursing process to assess, plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate patient care throughout the surgical experience. The RNFA ensures the delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centered care for individuals undergoing operative procedures. This role may function as a scrub nurse or circulating nurse, demonstrating expert knowledge of aseptic techniques, infection prevention practices, and established operating room standards.
Who We Are
Serving Tustin, Santa Ana and other surrounding communities, Foothill Regional Medical Center is a fully accredited acute care hospital, licensed for 177 beds—120 beds for general acute care, 15 intensive care beds and 42 pediatric sub-acute beds. Our surgeons are supported by state-of-the-art robotics.
Our Values
  • Put Patients First
  • Empower Entrepreneurial Provider and Care Teams
  • Operate with Integrity & Excellence
  • Be Innovative
  • Work As One Team

What You'll Do

The RNFA functions as an integral member of the surgical team, providing advanced clinical support to the surgeon during operative procedures to ensure patient safety and achieve optimal surgical outcomes. Utilizing specialized perioperative nursing knowledge and skills, the RNFA independently performs preoperative assessments, intraoperative first-assist responsibilities, and postoperative evaluations of care. This role requires sound clinical judgment, professional accountability, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered surgical care across the perioperative continuum.


Qualifications
  • Active, current, and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of California.
  • Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
  • At least three (3) years of perioperative nursing knowledge experience.
  • Current Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) certification.
  • Successful completion of an RN First Assistant (RNFA) education program that includes a supervised clinical component.
  • Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
  • Current American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.
  • Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
  • Ability to work flexible schedules, including on-call shifts, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain composure, adaptability, and professionalism in a fast-paced, changing environment.
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
  • Bilingual communication skills to effectively interact with patients and their families.
  • Current American Heart Association (AHA) Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.

Enviornmental Job Requirements and Working Conditions
  • Our organization follows an in person work structure where the expectation is to work onsite on a weekly basis. The hospital is located at 14662 Newport Ave, Tustin, CA 92780.
  • The total compensation target pay range for this role is $65.00 - 85.00 per hour. The salary range represents our national target range for this role.

Astrana Health is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff… We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. If you require assistance in applying for open positions due to a disability, please email us at humanresourcesdept@astranahealth.com to request an accommodation.

Additional Information:

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

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