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Nurse Practitioner First Assistant Jobs in Kentucky

$90 - $120/hr

Nurse Practitioner First Assist (NP FA) or Physician Assistant (PA) Key Responsibilities * Obtains and documents a health history; performs and documents complete, system-focused, or ...

$85 - $120/hr

These duties include but are not limited to: first assisting cardiovascular surgical procedures ... Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioner APRN Role Scope In consultation with the physician(s ...

$105 - $165/hr

Gynecologic Oncology APP | OR First Assist | Albuquerque, New Mexico Join a physician-led ... Licensed Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant * Interest or experience in gynecologic oncology ...

$145.50 - $210/hr

First Assist in adult cardiac surgery cases. * Endoscopic veining harvesting, utilizing Maquet ... PA/NP will first assist in the operating room and perform endovascular vein harvesting * Discusses ...

$105 - $135/hr

Northwest Medical Center - Houghton in Tucson, AZ is seeking an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner to ... Mix of Outpatient clinic, Inpatient rounding & OR First Assist * Monday-Friday schedule, daytime ...

$83 - $138/hr

Robotic surgery first-assist role * Long-term coverage preferred * Approximately five call shifts ... Must be a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant * Board Certified in Adult Nurse Practitioner ...

Phone-only call with nurse practitioner first call coverage * Patient census of 20 - 25 per day Compensation * Salary of $315,000 * Loan assistance Benefits * Comprehensive benefits Shift & Schedule

$128 - $144/hr

Job Title Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - General Surgery - Oneonta Surgical Associates ... Monday-Friday coverage - includes rotating first call responsibilities for AO Fox Hospital ...

$127.80 - $144.04/hr

Job Title Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - General Surgery - Oneonta Surgical Associates ... Monday-Friday coverage - includes rotating first call responsibilities for AO Fox Hospital ...

$115 - $160/hr

Registered Nurse License (California) AND Nurse Practitioner National Certificate AND Nurse ... First assist and OR experience * Only ACLS/BLS #J-18808-Ljbffr

$95 - $130/hr

The Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant is a skilled member of the health team who provides medical and educational services to patients under the supervision of a licensed physician. In this ...

$201 - $218/hr

Oncology Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant (NP) StartDate: ASAP Available Shifts: Day 8 Pay Rate: $97.00 - $105.00 This facility is seeking an Oncology Nurse Practitioner or Physician ...

$83 - $124/hr

Family Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant for SmartMED Drive-Thru Job Title: Family Nurse ... Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a patient-first approach to care. * Ability to ...

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Nurse Practitioner First Assistant information

See Kentucky salary details

$69K

$110.9K

$152.9K

How much do nurse practitioner first assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for nurse practitioner first assistant in Kentucky is $110,895.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,700.00 and $122,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a nurse practitioner first assistant?

A Nurse Practitioner First Assistant (NPFA) is an advanced practice registered nurse who assists surgeons during surgical procedures. In this role, they provide direct patient care before, during, and after surgery, and perform specific tasks such as suturing, controlling bleeding, and handling tissues under the supervision of a surgeon. NPFA professionals are required to have specialized training and certification in surgical first assisting, in addition to their nurse practitioner credentials. Their expertise helps ensure surgeries run smoothly and patients receive comprehensive care throughout the surgical experience.

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

To thrive as a Nurse Practitioner First Assistant, you need advanced clinical knowledge, surgical assisting expertise, and an active RN license with completion of a Nurse Practitioner program and a First Assistant certification (such as RNFA). Familiarity with surgical instruments, electronic health records (EHRs), and perioperative care protocols is essential. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills help ensure safe and efficient collaboration with surgeons and operating room staff. These competencies are crucial for optimizing patient outcomes and providing high-quality surgical support.

How does a nurse practitioner first assistant typically collaborate with surgeons and other operating room staff during procedures?

As a Nurse Practitioner First Assistant (NPFA), you work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and surgical nurses to ensure optimal patient outcomes during operations. Your responsibilities include providing direct surgical assistance, such as suturing, controlling bleeding, and handling tissues, as well as anticipating the surgeon's needs throughout the procedure. Effective communication and teamwork are crucial, as you help coordinate patient care before, during, and after surgery. This collaborative environment not only enhances patient safety but also offers valuable opportunities for professional development and skill-building within a multidisciplinary team.

What is the difference between Nurse Practitioner First Assistant vs Physician Assistant?

AspectNurse Practitioner First AssistantPhysician Assistant
CredentialsRegistered Nurse (RN) + specialized training or certification as a First AssistantMaster's degree in Physician Assistant Studies + certification (PANCE)
Work EnvironmentOperating rooms, surgical teams, hospitalsHospitals, clinics, surgical settings
Roles & ResponsibilitiesAssisting surgeons during procedures, pre- and post-operative carePerforming exams, diagnosing, assisting in surgeries

Both Nurse Practitioner First Assistants and Physician Assistants work closely in surgical settings, assisting during procedures and providing patient care. While Nurse Practitioner First Assistants typically have advanced nursing credentials and specialized surgical training, Physician Assistants hold a master's degree and are trained to perform a broad range of medical tasks. Understanding these differences helps clarify their roles in healthcare teams.

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

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

What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Nurse Practitioner First Assistant jobs?

Cities in Kentucky with the most Nurse Practitioner First Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Nurse Practitioner First Assistant job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,895 per year, or $53.3 per hour.

Physician Assistant - Pediatric CVOR

Ascension St Vincent

On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt's mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Organization

Ped Heart Institute Nursing

Job Summary

The Surgical Physician Assistant (PA) First Assist or Nurse Practitioner First Assist (NP FA) works in collaboration with a multidisciplinary health care team. The PA/NP provides healthcare in the surgical setting to include the responsibilities of the first and second assist to the surgeon. Other responsibilities may include pre-operative history and physical, progress notes, and education for the patient/family. The PA/NP has didactic education, clinical competency and national certification in identified area of clinical practice, including first assist competency. The PA/NP demonstrates medical knowledge, clinical judgment, technical competence, professionalism, interpersonal communication skills, timely and compliant documentation, and is responsible for professional development and competency validation. The PA/NP has an advanced knowledge of surgical interventions and the responsibilities of a first assistant in the operating room.

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Department Summary

Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital has one of the most experienced pediatric heart surgery teams in the nation. Our heart surgeries range from closures of septal defects to very complex procedures, including Norwood, Glenn and Fontan procedures, and heart transplantation. We provide dedicated holistic resources to help children and families navigate their heart repair journey. The Pediatric Cardiac surgery program at Monroe Carell performs more than 400 operations each year. The Pediatric Heart Institute at Monroe Carell is consistently ranked among the best pediatric heart programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

  • Nurse Practitioner First Assist (NP FA) or Physician Assistant (PA)
Key Responsibilities
  • Obtains and documents a health history; performs and documents complete, system-focused, or symptom‑specific physical examination, assessment, and plan of care.
  • In collaboration, provides healthcare services for primary, acute, and complex care of patients and manages patient's overall care, identifying expected outcomes for diagnoses specific to the surgical area.
  • Performs first assistant role in the surgical environment (is there something from the FA job description)
  • Orders, performs, interprets, and collects data using appropriate assessment techniques, relevant supporting diagnostic information and diagnostic procedures where indicated.
  • Forms differential diagnoses and treats acute and chronic conditions.
  • May prescribes therapeutic interventions both pharmacologic, non‑pharmacologic and surgical, needed to achieve expected outcomes.
  • Utilizes evidence‑based, approved practice protocols in planning and implementing care.
  • Initiates appropriate referrals and consultations
  • Provides specialty specific consultation services upon request and within specialty scope of practice.
  • Facilitates the patient's transition between operative area and appropriate unit or recovery areas.
Technical Capabilities
  • Health Systems and Policy Management (Advanced): Demonstrates sufficient fundamental proficiency in behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, and a responsible attitude toward their patients, their profession and society. Participates in professional organizations and activities that influence advanced practice.
  • Clinical Knowledge and Practice (Advanced): Demonstrates established and evolving biomedical, clinical and social sciences, and the application of their knowledge to patient care and the education of others. Demonstrates knowledge of population focus but also other sciences that support his/her field of practice. Demonstrates knowledge of common and important health issues affecting society and other societies around the globe. Demonstrates commitment in maintaining current evidence based knowledge through continuous learning. Educates patients, families, students and other members of the healthcare team in clinical topics and application of clinical knowledge.
  • Patient and Family Centered Care (Advanced): Demonstrates care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, treatment of disease and care at the end of life. Within scope of licensure and certification, manages previously diagnosed and undiagnosed patients. Uses health assessment skills to differentiate between normal, variations of normal, and abnormal findings. Employs screening and diagnostic strategies in the development of diagnoses. Prescribes medications within scope of practice. Manages health/illness status of patients and families over time and across the continuum. Provides patient‑centered care and the patient or designee as a full partner in decision making. Creates a climate of patient-centered care to include confidentiality privacy, comfort, emotional support, mutual trust, and respect. Incorporates cultural and spiritual preferences, values and beliefs into health care. Preserves the patient's control over decision making by negotiating a mutually acceptable plan of care. Integrates ethical principles into decision making. Uses electronic health record to capture data on variables for the evaluation and management of patient care. Clearly documents findings, assessment and plan of care.
  • Interpersonal and Communication Skills (Advanced): Demonstrates interpersonal and communication skills that enable them to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, families, and other members of health care teams. Communicates practice knowledge effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Practice-Based Scholarly Inquiry and Integration (Advanced): Demonstrates the use of scientific evidence and methods to investigate, evaluate and improve patient care practices. Anticipates variations in practice and is proactive in implementing interventions to improve quality. Uses best available evidence to continuously improve quality of clinical practice. Generates knowledge from clinical practice to improve practice and patient outcomes. Reviews data and evidences to improve advanced practice. Integrates knowledge from the humanities and sciences within the context of nursing science.
  • Professionalism (Advanced): Demonstrates behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, and a responsible attitude toward their patients, their profession and society. Participates in medical center committees, professional organizations and activities that influence advanced practice.
Our Nursing Philosophy

We believe highly skilled and specialized nursing care is essential to Vanderbilt University Medical Center's mission of quality in patient care, education and research. We believe nursing is an applied art and science focused on helping people, families and communities reach excellent health and well‑being. As a Vanderbilt University Medical Center employee, you make a difference to our patients and their families by bringing compassion and care to those in need of hope and healing.

Please see our current employee benefits offered:

  • Affordable High Quality Health Plan Options
  • Dental and /or vision plan
  • 403 (b) retirement plan
  • Paid Time off (flex PTO)
  • Tuition Reimbursement and adoption assistance (maximums applied)
  • Short-Long term disability
  • Subsidized backup childcare
  • And many more... Ask us about our current inpatient nursing supplemental Pay Program!
Achieve the Remarkable

Learn more about VUMC Nursing here.

Core Accountabilities

Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

Core Capabilities

Supporting Colleagues:- Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.- Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services:- Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.- Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.- Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.- Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation:- Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.- Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.- Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Position Qualifications Responsibilities Certifications

LIC-Physician's Assistant Certified - TennesseeTennessee

Work Experience

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level

1 year

Education

Master's

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well‑being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.

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