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Rn First Assistant Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Community Health Systems

RN First Assist

Powell, TN · On-site

Job Summary The RN First Assist (RNFA) provides advanced perioperative nursing care, assisting surgeons during operative procedures to ensure optimal patient outcomes. This role includes pre ...

Covenant Health

RN FIRST ASSISTANT I

Knoxville, TN

Registered Nurse, First Assistant, Surgery Part Time, 48 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift Parkwest Overview: Parkwest Medical Center, Covenant Health's flagship facility in West Knoxville, combines ...

Covenant Health

RN FIRST ASSISTANT II

Knoxville, TN

Registered Nurse First Assistant, Surgery Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift Parkwest Overview: Parkwest Medical Center, Covenant Health's flagship facility in West Knoxville, combines ...

Covenant Health

RN FIRST ASSISTANT I

Knoxville, TN · On-site

Overview Registered Nurse, First Assistant, Surgery Part Time, 48 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift Parkwest Overview: Parkwest Medical Center, Covenant Health's flagship facility in West Knoxville ...

Covenant Health

RN FIRST ASSISTANT II

Knoxville, TN · On-site

Overview Registered Nurse First Assistant, Surgery Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift Parkwest Overview: Parkwest Medical Center, Covenant Health's flagship facility in West Knoxville ...

TNAA TotalMed RN

Travel OR RN

Powell, TN · On-site

The right RN should have 1-2 years recent acute care experience as a circulating nurse, and/or scrub nurse, and potentially RN first assistant. Read below for more requirements. As an OR Travel Nurse ...

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All JobsRn First JobsRn First Assistant JobsRn First Assistant Jobs in Tennessee

Rn First Assistant information

See Tennessee salary details

$32.2K

$96.9K

$167.9K

How much do rn first assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for rn first assistant in Tennessee is $96,939.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,800.00 and $117,500.00 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 Tennessee?

For Rn First Assistant jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Rn First Assistant jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Rn First Assistant jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Rn First Assistant jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Rn First Assistant job openings:

Rn First Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Rn First Assistant job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, and 31% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $96,939 per year, or $46.6 per hour.

RN First Assist

Community Health Systems

Powell, TN • On-site

Other

Posted 12 days ago

Community Health Systems rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 276 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

459th of 887 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Job Summary

The RN First Assist (RNFA) provides advanced perioperative nursing care, assisting surgeons during operative procedures to ensure optimal patient outcomes. This role includes preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative responsibilities, supporting a variety of surgical specialties and units. The RNFA collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, utilizing advanced skills in tissue handling, wound management, and surgical techniques while maintaining compliance with regulatory and institutional standards.

Essential Functions

  • Provides advanced surgical assistance to the operating surgeon, including tissue handling, suturing, and wound management.

  • Collaborates with the surgical team to plan, implement, and evaluate individualized perioperative care plans.

  • Ensures the operative field is maintained aseptically, adhering to infection control protocols and surgical standards.

  • Assesses patient needs preoperatively and postoperatively, providing education and emotional support as needed.

  • Monitors and manages intraoperative patient status, responding to changes and communicating effectively with the surgical team.

  • Maintains accurate and thorough documentation of perioperative care in compliance with organizational policies.

  • Provides mentorship and education to nursing staff and students, promoting best practices in perioperative care.

  • Collaborates with various units and specialties to provide RNFA support tailored to specific surgical procedures and patient populations.

  • Performs other duties as assigned.

  • Maintains regular and reliable attendance.

  • Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

  • 2-4 years of perioperative nursing experience in an operating room setting required

  • 1-2 years of experience as a certified RN First Assist providing intraoperative surgical assistance preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Advanced knowledge of surgical techniques, aseptic principles, and perioperative nursing practices.

  • Strong clinical decision-making and problem-solving skills in high-pressure environments.

  • Excellent communication and teamwork abilities for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

  • Proficiency in surgical instruments, technologies, and documentation systems.

  • Commitment to patient safety and quality improvement in the surgical setting.

Licenses and Certifications

  • RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure required and

  • CRNFA - Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant required

  • BCLS - Basic Life Support required and

  • ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support required

  • CNOR - Certified Operating Room Nurse preferred

Equal Employment Opportunity

This organization does not discriminate in any way to deprive any person of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect the status of any employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, or military or uniformed services, in accordance with all applicable governmental laws and regulations. In addition, the facility complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to: hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. If you are an applicant with a mental or physical disability who needs a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, contact the director of Human Resources at the facility to which you are seeking employment; Simply go to http://www.chs.net/serving-communities/locations/ to obtain the main telephone number of the facility and ask for Human Resources.

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