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First Assistant Nurse Jobs in Vermont (NOW HIRING)

Certified Nurse Midwife

Rutland, VT · On-site

$115K - $145K/yr

Certified Nurse Midwife A hospital-owned OB/GYN practice in Rutland, Vermont is seeking a full ... first assist at cesarean sections Experience working across both outpatient clinic and hospital ...

Certified Nurse Midwife

Rutland, VT · On-site

$115K - $145K/yr

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Compensation: $115,000 - $145,000 Job Type: Full-Time | On-Site ... Prior clinical experience serving as a first assist at C-sections * Professional background ...

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First Assistant Nurse information

See Vermont salary details

$23.4K

$40.2K

$57.4K

How much do first assistant nurse jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for first assistant nurse in Vermont is $40,231.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33,500.00 and $44,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a first assistant nurse?

First Assistant Nurses, also known as Registered Nurse First Assistants (RNFAs), are specially trained nurses who assist surgeons during surgical procedures. Their responsibilities include providing direct patient care, helping with surgical instruments, controlling bleeding, suturing incisions, and ensuring the safety of the patient throughout the operation. They work alongside surgeons, anesthesiologists, and surgical technologists to ensure procedures run smoothly and safely. Typically, First Assistant Nurses have advanced education and certification beyond the standard registered nurse (RN) credentials.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a first assistant nurse?

To thrive as a First Assistant Nurse, you need advanced clinical skills in perioperative care, surgical procedures, and patient assessment, typically supported by RN licensure and completion of a First Assistant training program. Familiarity with surgical instruments, sterile technique, and electronic medical records is essential, and certification such as CNFA (Certified Nurse First Assistant) is often preferred. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to work under pressure set outstanding First Assistant Nurses apart. These skills are crucial for ensuring patient safety, supporting surgeons efficiently, and maintaining optimal surgical outcomes.

What are some common challenges first assistant nurses face during surgical procedures, and how can they effectively address them?

First Assistant Nurses often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing surgical conditions, communicating efficiently with the surgical team, and managing instruments under pressure. To address these, it's important to stay organized, anticipate the needs of the surgeon, and maintain clear, assertive communication throughout the procedure. Continuous learning and building strong relationships with both surgeons and surgical technologists can also help improve adaptability and teamwork in the operating room.

What is the difference between First Assistant Nurse vs Surgical Technologist?

AspectFirst Assistant NurseSurgical Technologist
CredentialsRN license, specialized surgical trainingPost-secondary certificate or diploma, surgical tech certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, surgical centers, assisting during surgeriesOperating rooms, preparing surgical instruments, assisting surgeons
Employer & IndustryHospitals, clinics, healthcare facilitiesSurgical centers, hospitals, outpatient clinics
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

The First Assistant Nurse and Surgical Technologist both work in surgical settings, but the First Assistant Nurse holds an RN license and provides direct patient care and assistance during surgeries. Surgical Technologists mainly prepare the operating room and assist surgeons with instruments. While both roles support surgical teams, the First Assistant Nurse has a broader scope of practice and requires nursing credentials, making it a more advanced position in the surgical environment.

Is becoming a first assistant nurse worth it?

Becoming a first assistant nurse can be worthwhile for those interested in advanced clinical roles, as it often involves specialized training and certification, such as a surgical assisting certification. The position offers opportunities for increased responsibility, higher pay, and working closely with surgical teams in healthcare settings. However, it requires additional education and experience compared to standard nursing roles.

What are popular job titles related to First Assistant Nurse jobs in Vermont?

For First Assistant Nurse jobs in Vermont, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching First Assistant Nurse jobs in Vermont look for?

The top searched job categories for First Assistant Nurse jobs in Vermont are:

What cities in Vermont are hiring for First Assistant Nurse jobs?

Cities in Vermont with the most First Assistant Nurse job openings:

Infographic showing various First Assistant Nurse job openings in Vermont as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,231 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

RN First Assist - Mansfield Orthopaedics

Copley Hospital

Morrisville, VT • On-site

$32.09 - $35/hr

Other

Re-posted 16 days ago


Copley Hospital rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

601st of 1,064 rated hospitals


Job description

RN First Assistant

Mansfield Orthopaedics at Copley Hospital, located in Morrisville/Stowe VT, is in search of a RN First Assistant (RNFA) to join the team! This RNFA provides direct nursing care in accordance with established policies and procedures of the Hospital. In collaboration with the patient, the patient's family and other members of the health care team, the RNFA assumes responsibility for the management and delivery of patient care in the intraoperative setting utilizing the nurse process at the direction of the surgeon. The RNFA also assists the surgeon with patient-related care activities. The RNFA always works in collaboration with the surgeon and other health care team members to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

This is a Full-Time position (PT available). Copley Hospital has a variety of shifts available across Full-Time, Part-Time, and Per Diem needs. Please consider applying to discuss how your availability may align.

Compensation: $32.09-35/hour. The posted salary range reflects compensation for candidates with limited experience. An offer may vary based on factors such as experience, education, skills, internal equity, and market data. An offer of employment may be outside of the posted range based on those factors.

Responsibilities
  • Meets Copley Hospital standards related to telephone etiquette, customer service, comportment, inter intra departmental relations, confidentiality, corporate compliance, patient provider rights, UOR reporting mechanism, QI, Code of Conduct.
  • Develops and maintains human care relationships & integrates the influence of the human experience of health, illness &/or healing. Adapts care for diverse populations, assists colleagues with care delivery, refers all concerns/issues to appropriate resource.
  • Incorporates teaching in delivery of care and demonstrates competence in health promotion & disease prevention. Provides information to patient family appropriately, assesses for barriers to learning, uses colleagues as a learning resource.
  • Applies leadership skills appropriately. Coordinates care within the multi-disciplinary team, interacts in a professional manner, communicates directly, verbalizes scope of practice for self and others.
  • Supports the organizational values: Compassion and respect for Human Dignity, Commitment to Professional Competence, Commitment to a spirit of service, Honesty, Confidentiality, and Good Stewardship careful administration.
  • Notifies direct supervisor of infractions of policy, procedure, laws and regulations as they are identified. Notifies supervisor manager of same issue if supervisor does not correct or resolve issue within a reasonable time frame. Notifies Corporate Compliance Officer of any issues that continue to be unresolved.
  • Will promote the practice's public image both in the practice and outside of the practice, consistent with the high-quality health services provided.
  • Will develop a professional relationship and support all staff to enhance patient care and efficient clinical operations, acting as a supervisor and role model for nursing support staff. Shall abide by the policies and procedures of the practice, the Copley Health Systems Physician Practices and the Copley Health Systems Hospital.
  • Will attend staff meetings and be responsible for their ongoing education pertinent to the practice. This will include attending conferences, reading current publications and actively seeking guidance and education from other sources.
  • Will counsel and teach patients on a variety of health care matters such as self-care appropriate to patient's medical problem.
  • Demonstrates the unit specific skills requisite for assigned service area.
  • Integrates various aspects of specific knowledge for the patient populations served within unit area of hire applies knowledge of expected norms in planning interventions. Demonstrates integration of knowledge, skills, and abilities for the patient populations served in unit of care.
  • Education, attendance, punctuality, meetings: Participates in continuing education programs & mandatory education to maintain competence and gain additional skills & documents attendance. Completes annual review and or training i.e. mandatory education, BLS renewal, etc. Attendance & punctuality expectations met. Attends unit staff mtgs or retrieves info from the same.
  • Applies critical thinking knowledge, integration skills and considers alternatives in a multitask workload. Collects integrates data from multiple sources, seeks assistance information appropriately.
  • Communicates with patients, team members, and management in an accurate, timely manner. Reports pertinent data, completes forms and charting, protects confidentiality, attends staff meetings or retrieves information from same, reads communications.
  • Functions as first assist in the OR under AORN scope of practice.
Qualifications

Education Required:

BSN

Experience Required:

Minimum of 1 year experience as a Registered Nurse First Assist

License and Certification Requirements:

RNFA certification

Current Vermont licensure and BLS.


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