Registered Nurse First Assistant Jobs

Registered Nurse First Assistant jobs are open across hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and health systems, with specializations in perioperative care, surgical assistance, and wound closure, at every level from staff RNFA to lead and senior roles. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles180+
Top stateFlorida
Top employerUC Health
Top citySaint Petersburg, FL
Work type93% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 180+ Registered Nurse First Assistant jobs

Registered Nurse (RN), Full Time, First Shift, Internal Med-Cardiology
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New 22h ago
Registered Nurse (RN), Full Time, First Shift, Internal Med-Cardiology
UC Health
Cincinnati, Ohio
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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Rn- Cn I-ONA, Infusion, Part Time, First Shift
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Added 1d ago
Rn- Cn I-ONA, Infusion, Part Time, First Shift
UC Health
Cincinnati, Ohio
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
PALS Certification
10,000+

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RN Case Manager, Clinical Case Management, Full Time, First Shift
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Added 1d ago
RN Case Manager, Clinical Case Management, Full Time, First Shift
UC Health
West Chester, Ohio
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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RN Care Coordinator, Ambulatory Hypertension Management Program, Full Time, First Shift
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Added 1d ago
RN Care Coordinator, Ambulatory Hypertension Management Program, Full Time, First Shift
UC Health
Cincinnati, Ohio
Customer Service
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Overseeing health insurance pre-certification
10,000+

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Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room, Part-time, First Shift
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Added 1d ago
Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room, Part-time, First Shift
UC Health
Cincinnati, Ohio
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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Registered Nurse First Assistant Job Market

Who's Hiring

  • UC Health12
  • BayCare Health System6
  • Mercy5
  • Valley Health5
  • Piedmont Healthcare5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services33
  • Consulting & Professional Services3
  • Technology & Software2
  • Non-Profit & Social Services2
  • Education1

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in registered nurse first assistant jobs.

  • Active RN licensure in the state of practice with no restrictions
  • Completion of an accredited RNFA program recognized by AORN
  • CNOR certification required or expected within a defined period
  • Minimum of two years perioperative or scrub experience before first-assist
  • ACLS certification current at time of hire
  • Demonstrated proficiency in tissue handling, suturing, and hemostasis techniques

Tips for Your Registered Nurse First Assistant Job Search

List your surgical specialty experience clearly

Hiring managers scan for specific procedure types, so name the surgical specialties you've scrubbed and assisted in, whether orthopedics, cardiovascular, general surgery, or others. Vague terms like 'surgical experience' won't distinguish you from scrub techs.

Lead with your RNFA certification credentials

Put your CNOR and RNFA credentials immediately after your name on your resume. Many job listings filter candidates at the screening stage, and burying certifications in a skills section means reviewers may miss them before moving on.

Target postings that specify first-assist duties

Some listings use 'perioperative RN' interchangeably with RNFA, but the scope differs significantly. Read the job description carefully to confirm first-assist responsibilities are explicitly listed before you apply, so you're not walking into a circulator-only role.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists registered nurse first assistant openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Prepare for competency-based interview questions

Expect interviewers to ask about how you've handled intraoperative complications, coordinated with surgeons under pressure, or managed a case where your first-assist role required independent clinical judgment. Prepare two or three specific examples before your interview.

Negotiate for schedule and case volume alignment

When you receive an offer, ask about average weekly case volume and the mix of elective versus emergent procedures. These details directly affect your skill development and workload, and they're often negotiable at mid-to-senior levels.

Registered Nurse First Assistant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most registered nurse first assistants?

UC Health, BayCare Health System, and Mercy are hiring the most registered nurse first assistants right now, with openings concentrated in Florida, California, and Ohio, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Health systems and ambulatory surgery center networks account for the largest share of active postings.

How many registered nurse first assistant jobs are remote?

About 7% of registered nurse first assistant openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on surgical nature of most roles. The small remote share is concentrated in clinical education, perioperative consulting, and policy or quality improvement positions that don't require direct patient contact.

How do you become a registered nurse first assistant?

You start with an active RN license and earn your CNOR certification by passing the perioperative nursing exam. From there, you complete an accredited RNFA education program, which includes both didactic coursework and supervised clinical hours in the OR. After completing the program, you can apply for RNFA certification through CRNFA credentialing, which demonstrates your competency to employers as a first assistant.

Can you get hired as a registered nurse first assistant with limited experience?

Most employers require at least two years of perioperative RN or scrub experience before considering you for a first-assist role, because independent intraoperative judgment depends on deep procedural familiarity. If you're earlier in your career, focus on building your CNOR and logging a wide variety of surgical cases across specialties, then apply to facilities with formal RNFA training programs that develop candidates internally.

What does the registered nurse first assistant interview process look like?

Most RNFA interviews include an initial phone or video screen with HR followed by a panel interview with the OR manager, a lead surgeon, and sometimes a senior perioperative RN. You'll be asked about specific case types you've assisted with, how you handle intraoperative complications, and your familiarity with the facility's surgical specialties. Some employers add a skills assessment or a shadowing day before extending an offer.

Where can I find and apply to registered nurse first assistant jobs?

You can find and apply to registered nurse first assistant jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your specialty, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to each one that fits.

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