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Rn First Assistant Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

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Rn First Assistant information

See Connecticut salary details

$33.8K

$101.6K

$176K

How much do rn first assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for rn first assistant in Connecticut is $101,603.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,200.00 and $123,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectRn First AssistantSurgical Technologist
CredentialsRegistered Nurse license, First Assistant certificationCertified Surgical Technologist (CST) or Tech certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, surgical centers, operating roomsOperating rooms, surgical suites, hospitals
Role FocusAssists surgeons during procedures, provides intraoperative supportPrepares operating rooms, sterilizes instruments, assists during surgery

While both roles support surgical teams, Rn First Assistants have advanced nursing credentials and directly assist surgeons during procedures, whereas Surgical Technologists prepare the surgical environment and assist indirectly. Rn First Assistants typically require more advanced certifications and have a broader scope of intraoperative responsibilities.

What is an RN First Assistant?

RN First Assistants (Registered Nurse First Assistants) are specialized registered nurses who work alongside surgeons and surgical teams during operations. They play a critical role in patient care by assisting with surgical procedures, providing direct patient care before, during, and after surgery, and helping to ensure the best possible outcomes. RNFAs are trained in advanced surgical techniques, such as suturing, controlling bleeding, and handling tissues, and they must have additional education and certification beyond standard registered nurse credentials.

What are the most common challenges faced by an RN First Assistant in the operating room?

As an RN First Assistant, one of the most common challenges is balancing direct surgical responsibilities with maintaining patient safety and effective communication within a fast-paced environment. You'll often need to anticipate the needs of the surgical team and adapt quickly to unexpected situations during procedures. Collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other OR staff is crucial, and handling stressful or high-pressure moments with composure is a key part of the role. Continuous learning and staying updated with surgical techniques also help in overcoming these challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an RN First Assistant?

To thrive as an RN First Assistant, you need advanced clinical knowledge in perioperative nursing, surgical procedures, and patient assessment, typically supported by RN licensure, perioperative experience, and CNOR or RNFA certification. Familiarity with surgical instruments, sterile technique, and electronic health records is essential for this role. Strong communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills help you collaborate effectively with surgical teams and respond quickly in high-pressure situations. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring patient safety, reducing complications, and supporting optimal surgical outcomes.
What are popular job titles related to Rn First Assistant jobs in Connecticut? For Rn First Assistant jobs in Connecticut, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Rn First Assistant jobs in Connecticut look for? The top searched job categories for Rn First Assistant jobs in Connecticut are:
What cities in Connecticut are hiring for Rn First Assistant jobs? Cities in Connecticut with the most Rn First Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Rn First Assistant job openings in Connecticut as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, and 31% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $101,603 per year, or $48.8 per hour.

$56.60 - $70.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 hours ago


Job description

**Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) required**

Who we are:  

Spire Orthopedic Partners is a growing national partnership of orthopedic practices that provides the support, capital and operational resources physicians need to grow thriving practices for the future. As a Management Services Organization (MSO), Spire provides the infrastructure for administrative operations that allows practices to operate at their highest level, so doctors can focus their efforts on what matters most – patient care. Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, the Spire network spans the Northeast with more than 165 physicians, 1,800 employees, 285 other clinical providers and 40 locations in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. 

What you’ll do:

Assists the surgeons with surgery, wound closure and dressing. Facilitates patient and procedure flow through the OR and ensures the provision of high-quality patient care on a day-to-day basis. The Operating Room Nurse First Assist practices within the Patient and Family Centered Care Model and will assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for patients, coordinate ancillary staff and collaborate with interdisciplinary health care team.

ACCOUNTABILITIES: (include, but are not limited to)

  • Assist Surgeon with surgery, wound closure and dressing
  • Surgical tasks include, but are not limited to, opening and closing surgical sites, exposure of the surgical site, harvesting grafts, dissecting tissue, removing tissue, implanting devices, and altering tissues
  • Positions the patient per the surgeon’s instruction
  • Provides visualization of the operative site by ensuring appropriate placement and securing of retractors with or without padding. Packs site with sponges, uses digital manipulation of tissue, suctions, irrigates and uses proper body mechanics to prevent obstruction of the surgeon’s view.
  • Utilizes appropriate techniques to assist with hemostasis by clamping or cauterizing vessels or tissue, tying or ligating clamped vessels or tissue, applying hemostatic clips and placing local hemostatic agents.
  • Participates in volume replacement or auto transfusion techniques as appropriate.
  • Utilizes appropriate techniques to assist with closure of body planes. Closes skin with method per surgeon’s directive (suture, staples, etc.).
  • Selects and applies appropriate wound dressings.
  • Provides assistance in securing drainage systems to tissue.
  • Safely and competently administers pharmaco-therapeutics, adhering to medication policies, procedures, practices and standards, and monitors the outcomes based on the patient’s response to treatment.
  • Demonstrates skill in the use of appropriate equipment.
  • Assists the surgeon during specific procedures. Performs other functions during surgery as directed.
  • Assists with the positioning, prepping and draping of the patient. May perform these actions independently, if directed by the surgeon.
  • Maintains knowledge of basic knot tying techniques to include two handed tie, one handed tie and instrument tie.
  • Assists the surgeon at the completion of the procedure by affixing and stabilizing all drains; cleaning the wound and applying dressings; assisting with the application of casts, splints, special dressings and abduction devices.
  • Removes sutures and/or skin staples/clips during intra-operative phase, at surgeon’s request.
  • Performs other duties as assigned

Who you are: 

Qualifications:

  • Minimum three years of recent operating room nursing first assist experience
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate professionally (i.e. using expressive vocabulary that communicates a complete and detailed message, avoiding spelling errors, employing a respectful tone)
  • Ability to maintain enthusiasm while facing a high volume and a large variety of duties
  • Ability and interest in learning procedures and software functionalities that could improve the effectiveness and efficiency of individual and department efforts
  • Organized, with the ability to prioritize and multi-task
  • Extremely reliable, patient and professional
  • Reacts calmly and effectively under stress
  • Interprets, adapts and applies guidelines and procedures appropriately
  • Ability to develop and maintain effective and professional working relationships with patients, medical staff, coworkers and the public by demonstrating empathy and tact
  • Must be a team player with a positive attitude, the ability to work effectively with a diverse population, and the ability to demonstrate patience and professionalism
  • Promotes teamwork through collaboration, represents the practice in a professional manner, and maintains the strictest confidentiality on all patient issues

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Active CT Registered Connecticut Nurse license
  • Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) required
  • Associate Degree in Nursing, BSN preferred
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support must be obtained within 90 days of employment start date
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support must be obtained within 30 days of employment start date
  • PALS Pediatric Adv Life Supt must be obtained within 90 days of employment start date

What we offer:  

  • Excellent growth and advancement opportunities  
  • Dynamic environment  
  • Access to a diverse network of practitioners  
  • Broad infrastructure of tools and programs to enhance the employee experience     
  • Competitive Compensation  
  • Generous PTO   
  • Benefits package: health, dental, vision, 401(k), etc.  

We are an equal-opportunity employer. Qualified Applicants are considered for positions and are evaluated without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances (referred to as “protected characteristics”).