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Nurse Practitioner First Assistant Jobs in Decatur, AL

... Practitioners (NP) and Physician Assistants (PA) Job Type: Full-time Schedule: No nights | No ... put patients first while supporting our providers with the tools and environment they need to ...

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Nurse Practitioner First Assistant information

See Decatur, AL salary details

$74.5K

$119.7K

$165K

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

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for nurse practitioner first assistant in Decatur, AL is $119,696.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,200.00 and $132,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Nurse Practitioner First Assistant, and why are they important?

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.

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 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.

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 cities near Decatur, AL are hiring for Nurse Practitioner First Assistant jobs? Cities near Decatur, AL with the most Nurse Practitioner First Assistant job openings:

Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner-CVOR-FT-1st Shift

Huntsville Hospital Health System

Huntsville, AL

$108K - $139K/yr

Other

Posted 10 days ago


Huntsville Hospital Health System rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 202 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

713th of 870 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Overview

The CVOR Physician Assistant/Nurse Practioner will work in the OR only. There are 5 CVOR's, where there are 800+ open heart surgeries and 500+ thorasic surgeries performed per year.

*Highly competitive pay. Sign on bonus and relocation bonus.*

The physician assistant/nurse practioner works in any setting that is within the scope of his or her supervising physician's practice.  The supervising physician delegates only tasks and procedures that are within their scope of practice, which is defined for the purpose of this summary as those tasks and procedures that the supervising physician is qualified by training or experience to perform.  The decision to permit the physician assistant/nurse practioner to perform a task or procedure under direct or indirect supervision is made by the supervising physician based on reasonable medical judgment.  It is the supervising physician's responsibility to ascertain if the physician assistant/nurse practitioner is knowledgeable and skilled in performing the tasks and procedures assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Experience required:

Education & Licensure:  Graduate of a Board approved Surgical Physician Assistant program. Healthcare Provider BLS is required within the orientation period. ACLS required one year from hire.

Requires current license to practice as a Physician Assistant in the state of Alabama.  Successful completion of the Physician Assistants National Certifying Examination is highly preferred.

Nurse Practitioner must have completed RN First Assistant Program (RNFA) and completion of Nurse Practitioner Masters of Science in Nursing from an accredited college or university. Successful completion of a National Certification Exam for NP, current registration through the Alabama board of Nursing and Board of Medical Examiners, and approval of the Huntsville Hospital credentialing board.

Experience: Minumum 2 years CV Surgery experience required. Endoscopic Vein Harvesting experience required. Endoscopic Radial Artery Harvesting strongly preferred. 

Additional Skills/Abilities: Ability to communicate in English with people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Ability to use effective interpersonal relation skills when working with a variety of people and situations. Ability to work in a fast paced environment and adjust to continuing changes in the daily work schedule. Absolute integrity in the accurate performance and reporting of surgical procedures. Must be able to display a positive attitude, cheerfulness, and the willingness to assist when communicating with the public.

Employment Type: OTHER

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