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Nurse Practitioner First Assistant Jobs in Rio Rancho, NM

NP Now

Family Nurse Practitioner / FNP

Albuquerque, NM

$107K - $135K/yr

Thriving, independent, and collegial group is looking to hire a Family Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant in a Primary Care Setting serving HIV and HEP C Treatment in Albuquerque, New Mexico!

NP Now

Family Nurse Practitioner / FNP

Albuquerque, NM

$107K - $135K/yr

Thriving, independent, and collegial group is looking to hire a Family Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant in a Primary Care Setting serving HIV and HEP C Treatment in Albuquerque, New Mexico!

CVS Health

Nurse Practitioner

Albuquerque, NM

Nurse Practitioners practice in our outpatient practices on a collaborative care team composed of a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, medical assistants, a dedicated medical ...

Oak Street Health

Nurse Practitioner

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

Nurse Practitioners practice in our outpatient practices on a collaborative care team composed of a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, medical assistants, a dedicated medical ...

Oak Street Health

Nurse Practitioner

Albuquerque, NM

$87K - $187K/yr

Nurse Practitioners practice in our outpatient practices on a collaborative care team composed of a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, medical assistants, a dedicated medical ...

AlignMed

Nurse Practitioner

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$115K - $125K/yr

This position can be filled by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. New grads are welcome to apply. The base salary range for this position is $115,000 - $125,000 / year, plus our no-cap ...

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All JobsNurse Practitioner First JobsNurse Practitioner First Assistant JobsNurse Practitioner First Assistant Jobs in Rio Rancho, NM

Nurse Practitioner First Assistant information

See Rio Rancho, NM salary details

$74.8K

$120.1K

$165.5K

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

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for nurse practitioner first assistant in Rio Rancho, NM is $120,098.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,500.00 and $132,600.00 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 job categories do people searching Nurse Practitioner First Assistant jobs in Rio Rancho, NM look for? The top searched job categories for Nurse Practitioner First Assistant jobs in Rio Rancho, NM are:
What cities near Rio Rancho, NM are hiring for Nurse Practitioner First Assistant jobs? Cities near Rio Rancho, NM with the most Nurse Practitioner First Assistant job openings:
Nurse Practitioner First Assistant jobs near you
CV Surgery 1st Assist/Inpatient NP at the New Mexico Heart Institute | Up to 10K Commencement Bonus

CV Surgery 1st Assist/Inpatient NP at the New Mexico Heart Institute | Up to 10K Commencement Bonus

Lovelace Health System

Albuquerque, NM • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 8 days ago

Lovelace Health System rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 24 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

The renowned New Mexico Heart Institute is now hiring a Surgical First Assist Nurse Practitioner skilled in vein harvesting to join our Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery team in beautiful Albuquerque, NM. The ideal fit will be with a team-oriented and teachable PA or NP able to surgically 1st assist eight Cardiothoracic/Vascular Surgeon in the operating room and rounding on cardiothoracic and vascular surgery patients. Weekend rounding and rotating evening call (with excess pay) is part of the role. First Assist Physician Assistants or Nurse Practitioners with 1+ years of endoscopic vein harvesting experience/certification are encouraged to apply!
About this CV Surgery NP Job Opening:
  • Full-Time (1.0 FTE)
  • Single-Specialty Group, Inpatient-Only Setting
  • Join a team of 36 physicians, 7 physician assistants, 14 nurse practitioners, and an extensive support staff
  • Hospital Location: Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center
  • Onsite Testing (Echo, Vascular, Nuclear, and CT) and 3 Procedure Rooms available
  • Daily Patient Load: 4-10 (varies)
  • Q4- Call Coverage with Excess Call Pay: 1 weekend a month (approx. 4-10 patient encounters during call)
  • EMR: Epic
  • Smart Technology: See more patients without extending your day. Our providers use Epic EMR and Ambience AI scribe technology to automate documentation, reduce administrative burden, improve patient flow, and ensure accurate coding-leading to better work-life balance and revenue.

Minimum Requirements:
  • Board-Certified as 1st Assist or Nurse Practitioner
  • 1+ years of endoscopic vein harvesting experience/certification required

Recruitment Package may include:
  • Base Salary + wRVU production incentive
  • CME/CEU Allowance
  • Up to 10K commencement bonus
  • Medical debt assistance + Consultative services by Navigate Student Loans
  • Relocation allowance
  • Paid malpractice coverage
  • Health benefits + Retirement plan
  • Marketing + practice growth assistance

Student Loan Repayment Assistance: The New Mexico Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) provides eligible providers with up to $75,000 in repayment assistance for outstanding student loans.
Free Childcare: New Mexico now offers universal, no-cost childcare for all families, eliminating copays and income limits statewide-saving physicians and APPs an average of $12,000-$14,000 per child per year while providing access to any licensed childcare setting.
About Us:
Lovelace Medical Group is a multi-specialty provider group, including clinics, doctors, and advanced practice providers in various specialties and primary care. Lovelace Health System built the city's first hospital, and since our organization was founded 100 years ago, we have been committed to serving our community and creating the best quality of life possible for our patients.
As part of Lovelace Medical Group, New Mexico Heart Institute comprises a team of exceptional cardiologists, invasive/interventional cardiologists, and electrophysiologists. As the largest cardiovascular care team in New Mexico, our surgeons perform the most advanced vascular and endovascular procedures available, including arterial, venous, peripheral arterial, cerebrovascular, and aneurysmal.
  • Leapfrog Top 123 Hospital- Teaching Hospital
  • Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare
  • New Mexico Family-Friendly Workplace
  • Patient-Centered Medical Home

About Our Community:
Albuquerque is New Mexico's largest city and sits in the high desert. With 310 days of sunshine, the weather is perfect for outdoor activities, including biking, skiing, and hiking. ABQ is also the hot air ballooning capital of the world and home to the largest University in the state. At night, many enjoy the glow of the neon signs along historic Route 66. ABQ has fantastic cultural offerings, eclectic eateries and shopping, many activities and breathtaking landscapes. With affordable living, an international airport, and a combination of urban, suburban, and rural settings-- ABQ is a wonderful place to live and work.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

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