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Rn First Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Astrana Health Management

RN First Assist

Tustin, CA · On-site

$90 - $117/hr

RN First Assist Department: 7420-Surgery & Recovery Employment Type: Full Time Location: 14662 Newport Ave, Tustin, CA 92780 ("HOSPITAL") Reporting To: Glenda Luce Compensation: $65.00 - $85.00 ...

New

Astrana Health, Inc.

RN First Assist

Tustin, CA · On-site

$65 - $85/hr

Description About the Role The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is a highly skilled perioperative nurse who utilizes the nursing process to assess, plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate ...

Astrana Health

RN First Assist

Tustin, CA · On-site

$65 - $85/hr

About the Role The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is a highly skilled perioperative nurse who utilizes the nursing process to assess, plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate patient care ...

Trustaff

Travel Nurse RN - Oncology

Irvine, CA · On-site

$2.2K - $3.0K/wk

Trustaff is seeking a travel nurse RN Oncology for a travel nursing job in Irvine, California ... M/S Oncology About Trustaff Our nurse-first attitude has set us apart from other travel nursing ...

Trustaff

Travel Nurse RN - Oncology

Irvine, CA · On-site

$2.2K - $3.0K/wk

Trustaff is seeking a travel nurse RN Oncology for a travel nursing job in Irvine, California ... M/S Oncology About Trustaff Our nurse-first attitude has set us apart from other travel nursing ...

Trustaff

Travel Nurse RN - Case Management

Orange, CA · On-site

Trustaff is seeking a travel nurse RN Case Management for a travel nursing job in Orange ... Case Management About Trustaff Our nurse-first attitude has set us apart from other travel nursing ...

TNAA TotalMed RN

Travel Nurse RN - Telemetry

Loma Linda, CA · On-site

$2.0K - $2.8K/wk

TNAA TotalMed RN is seeking a travel nurse RN Telemetry for a travel nursing job in Loma Linda ... They offer local and travel jobs and match caregivers with the right organization to assist both ...

TNAA TotalMed RN

Travel Nurse RN - Telemetry

Loma Linda, CA · On-site

$2.0K - $2.8K/wk

TNAA TotalMed RN is seeking a travel nurse RN Telemetry for a travel nursing job in Loma Linda ... They offer local and travel jobs and match caregivers with the right organization to assist both ...

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All JobsRn First JobsRn First Assistant JobsRn First Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA

Rn First Assistant information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$37K

$111.4K

$193K

How much do rn first assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for rn first assistant in Riverside, CA is $111,427.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,400.00 and $135,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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.

Is it worth it to become an RN First Assistant?

Becoming an RN First Assistant allows registered nurses to perform advanced surgical assisting duties, often leading to higher compensation and expanded responsibilities. It requires additional training, certification, and experience in surgical settings, making it a valuable career advancement for RNs interested in perioperative care.

What are popular job titles related to Rn First Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA?

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

What job categories do people searching Rn First Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Rn First Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Rn First Assistant jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Rn First Assistant job openings:

Rn First Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Rn First Assistant job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,427 per year, or $53.6 per hour.

RN First Assist

Astrana Health Management

Tustin, CA • On-site

$90 - $117/hr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New

Key responsibilities

  • Provide advanced clinical support to the surgeon during operative procedures to ensure patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes.

  • Perform preoperative assessments, intraoperative first-assist responsibilities, and postoperative evaluations of care.

  • Demonstrate expertise in aseptic techniques, infection prevention practices, and operating room standards.

Job description

RN First Assist

Department: 7420-Surgery & Recovery

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: 14662 Newport Ave, Tustin, CA 92780 ("HOSPITAL")

Reporting To: Glenda Luce

Compensation: $65.00 - $85.00 / hour


DescriptionAbout the Role
The Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) is a highly skilled perioperative nurse who utilizes the nursing process to assess, plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate patient care throughout the surgical experience. The RNFA ensures the delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centered care for individuals undergoing operative procedures. This role may function as a scrub nurse or circulating nurse, demonstrating expert knowledge of aseptic techniques, infection prevention practices, and established operating room standards.
Who We Are
Serving Tustin, Santa Ana and other surrounding communities, Foothill Regional Medical Center is a fully accredited acute care hospital, licensed for 177 beds—120 beds for general acute care, 15 intensive care beds and 42 pediatric sub-acute beds. Our surgeons are supported by state-of-the-art robotics.
Our Values
  • Put Patients First
  • Empower Entrepreneurial Provider and Care Teams
  • Operate with Integrity & Excellence
  • Be Innovative
  • Work As One Team

What You'll Do

The RNFA functions as an integral member of the surgical team, providing advanced clinical support to the surgeon during operative procedures to ensure patient safety and achieve optimal surgical outcomes. Utilizing specialized perioperative nursing knowledge and skills, the RNFA independently performs preoperative assessments, intraoperative first-assist responsibilities, and postoperative evaluations of care. This role requires sound clinical judgment, professional accountability, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered surgical care across the perioperative continuum.


Qualifications
  • Active, current, and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of California.
  • Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
  • At least three (3) years of perioperative nursing knowledge experience.
  • Current Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) certification.
  • Successful completion of an RN First Assistant (RNFA) education program that includes a supervised clinical component.
  • Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
  • Current American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.
  • Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
  • Ability to work flexible schedules, including on-call shifts, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain composure, adaptability, and professionalism in a fast-paced, changing environment.
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
  • Bilingual communication skills to effectively interact with patients and their families.
  • Current American Heart Association (AHA) Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.

Enviornmental Job Requirements and Working Conditions
  • Our organization follows an in person work structure where the expectation is to work onsite on a weekly basis. The hospital is located at 14662 Newport Ave, Tustin, CA 92780.
  • The total compensation target pay range for this role is $65.00 - 85.00 per hour. The salary range represents our national target range for this role.

Astrana Health is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff… We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. If you require assistance in applying for open positions due to a disability, please email us at humanresourcesdept@astranahealth.com to request an accommodation.

Additional Information:

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

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