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Rn First Assistant Jobs in Reno, NV (NOW HIRING)

We continually invest in technology and process improvements to develop new and better ways of delivering clinical care Learn more at northernnevadahealth.com This Registered Nurse - First Assist ...

We continually invest in technology and process improvements to develop new and better ways of delivering clinical care Learn more at northernnevadahealth.com This Registered Nurse - First Assist ...

We continually invest in technology and process improvements to develop new and better ways of delivering clinical care Learn more at northernnevadahealth.com This Registered Nurse - First Assist ...

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Rn First Assistant information

See Reno, NV salary details

$35.4K

$106.5K

$184.5K

How much do rn first assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for rn first assistant in Reno, NV is $106,493.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,800.00 and $129,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a registered nurse first assistant do?

A registered nurse first assistant (RNFA) provides intraoperative patient care by assisting surgeons during surgeries, including tissue handling, suturing, and maintaining a sterile environment. They work closely with surgical teams, often requiring specialized training and certification in surgical assisting. RNFAs help improve surgical efficiency and patient outcomes in operating rooms.

How much does an RN first assist make?

An RN First Assistant typically earns between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and healthcare facility. They assist surgeons during procedures and require specialized training and certification, which can influence salary levels.

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 are RN First Assistants?

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.

Is becoming an RNFA worth it?

Becoming a Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) can enhance career opportunities by allowing nurses to assist directly in surgical procedures, often leading to higher earning potential and expanded responsibilities. It requires additional certification and clinical experience, but it can be a valuable credential for those interested in perioperative care and surgical support roles.

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.

Can an RN be a first assist?

Registered nurses (RNs) can become first assistants in surgical procedures if they complete specialized training and certification, such as a perioperative nursing certification or a surgical assisting program. The role typically requires additional education, experience in the operating room, and adherence to state and institutional regulations. Not all RNs are qualified to serve as first assistants without these credentials and training.

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

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 Reno, NV? For Rn First Assistant jobs in Reno, NV, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Rn First Assistant jobs in Reno, NV look for? The top searched job categories for Rn First Assistant jobs in Reno, NV are:
What cities near Reno, NV are hiring for Rn First Assistant jobs? Cities near Reno, NV with the most Rn First Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Rn First Assistant job openings in Reno, NV as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,493 per year, or $51.2 per hour.

RN - FIRST ASSIST (CERT), Per Diem L&D

Sierra Medical Center

Reno, NV

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Responsibilities

Sierra Medical Center is part of Northern Nevada Health System, a regional multi-facility system that has excelled at offering quality care to residents of the greater Truckee Meadows. Sierra Medical Center is a 170-bed acute care hospital offering services including 24/7 ER care, cardiology, oncology, labor and delivery, level II NICU, surgical and orthopedic services, and much more. Learn more at northernnevadahealth.com

What we at Sierra Medical Center value:
• Compassion: We treat everyone with kindness and warmth because we genuinely care about every patient, employee and physician like they are family.
• Empathy: We put ourselves in our patient’s shoes and deliver clinical care with a personalized touch.
• Teamwork: We foster a caring and friendly work environment to bring the best possible outcomes in our patient’s lives.
• Quality: We strive to provide excellence in clinical care.
• Ethics: We conduct our business with the highest ethical and moral standards.
• Respect: We promise to honor the dignity, individuality and rights of everyone.
• Service Excellence: We provide personalized and professional service that exceeds the expectations of those we serve.
• Innovation: We continually invest in technology and process improvements to develop new and better ways of delivering clinical care

Learn more at northernnevadahealth.com

This Registered Nurse - First Assist opportunity is per diem and offers a convenient schedule.  We are looking for a dynamic individual who serves as a Specialized Registered Nurse who provides the surgical team with assistance within the Operating Room and other similar settings.  Assists the surgeon with specific intraoperative procedures that are beyond the scope of practice for registered nurses without RNFA education and training.  Functions interdependently with the surgeon and applies knowledge, skill, and judgment necessary to assist the surgeon in performing a safe operation that yields optimal results for the patient.  Functions within the state laws regarding surgical assisting and state nursing practice act.   The Certified RNFA does not concurrently function as the Scrub Nurse.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Performs first assisting role interdependently with surgeon.
  • Assists with room set-up and tear down to facilitate patient flow.
  • Assists in maintaining hemostasis by direct pressure, use of appropriate surgical instrument for the task, placement of ties, placement of suture ligatures, application of chemical hemostatic agents, or other measures under direct supervision of surgeon

  • Performs immediate post-operative subcutaneous injection of local anesthetic agent or cocktail before dressing application.

  • Provides hemostasis, and other intraoperative technical functions that assist a physician in performing a safe operation with optimal results for the patient.  This includes the ability to provide local infiltration or the topical application of a local anesthetic at the operative site

Benefits for full and part time employees:

  •  Challenging and rewarding work environment
  •  Competitive Compensation & Generous Paid Time Off 
  •  Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Plans
  •  401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan
  •  Tuition Reimbursement/Repayment Program
  •  Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300+ Subsidiaries! 
  •  More information is available on our Benefits Guest Website: benefits.uhsguest.com 

If you would like to learn more about the position before applying, please contact Jenn Samudio, Recruiter @ michelle.lopezreyes@uhsinc.com

About Universal Health Services:

One of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. During the year, UHS was again recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune; and listed in Forbes ranking of America’s Largest Public Companies. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related se


Qualifications
  • Current NV License
  • Current OR certification [CNOR] from the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) certification
  • CRNFA or RNAS-C. Must maintain currency with both CNOR and CRNFA or RNAS-C certifications for employment.
  • Nurses currently employed without a bachelor’s degree may be grandfathered into this job description if currency with both CNOR and RNAS-C certification.
  • Current American Heart Association BLS, ACLS, and PALS (if applicable)
  • NRP if working in obstetrical areas

EEO Statement

All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success.

Avoid and Report Recruitment Scams

At UHS and all our subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates by matching skill set and experience with the best possible career path at UHS

and our subsidiaries. During the recruitment process, no recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (e.g., Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) from you via email. Our recruiters will not email you from a public webmail client like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, etc.

If you suspect a fraudulent job posting or job-related email mentioning UHS or its subsidiaries, we encourage you to report such concerns to appropriate law enforcement. We encourage you to refer to legitimate UHS and UHS subsidiary career websites to verify job opportunities and not rely on unsolicited calls from recruiters.