22 Tex. Admin. Code § 217.18 - Assisting at Surgery
(a) Nurse First
Assistants.
(1) A registered nurse who wishes
to function as a first assistant (RNFA) in surgery shall meet the following
requirements:
(A) Current licensure as a
registered nurse in the State of Texas or a current, valid registered nurse
license with a multi-state privilege in a party state;
(B) Completion of a nurse first assistant
educational program approved or recognized by an organization recognized by the
Board; and
(C) Is either:
(i) currently certified in perioperative
nursing by an organization recognized by the board (CNOR certification in
perioperative nursing); or
(ii)
currently recognized by the board as an advanced practice nurse and qualified
by education, training, or experience to perform the tasks involved in
perioperative nursing.
(2) When collaborating with other health care
providers, the RNFA shall be accountable for knowledge of the statutes and
rules relating to RNFAs and function within the scope of the registered nurse.
Advanced practice nurses functioning as first assistants under the authority of
(a)(1)(C)(ii) of this subsection shall function within the scope of the
advanced role and specialty for which they hold authorization to practice from
the board.
(3) A registered nurse
(including an advanced practice nurse) functioning as a first assistant in
surgery shall comply with the standards set forth by the AORN.
(b) Assisting at Surgery by Other
Nurses.
(1) A nurse who is not a nurse first
assistant as defined in subsection (a) of this section may assist a physician,
podiatrist, or dentist in the performance of surgery if the nurse:
(A) Has current licensure as a nurse in the
State of Texas or a current, valid nursing license with a multi-state privilege
in a party state;
(B) Assists under
the direct personal supervision and in the physical presence of the physician,
podiatrist, or dentist;
(C) Is in
the same sterile field as the physician, podiatrist, or dentist;
(D) Is employed by:
(i) the physician, podiatrist, or
dentist;
(ii) a group to which the
physician, podiatrist, or dentist belongs; or
(iii) a hospital licensed or owned by the
state; and
(E) Is
qualified by education, training, or experience to perform the tasks assigned
to the nurse.
(2) A
nurse assisting in the performance of surgery under this subsection shall not
use:
(A) The title "nurse first assistant" or
"registered nurse first assistant,"
(B) The abbreviation "R.N.F.A.," or
(C) Any other title or abbreviation that
implies to the public that the person is qualified as a nurse first assistant
under subsection (a) of this section.
Notes
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