Location: Bakersfield, CA

Start Date: 03-02-2026

End Date: 06-08-2026

Contract Type: Travel Contract

Shift Type: Days — 10-hour shifts commonly (8, 10 or 12-hour shifts may be scheduled depending on unit needs); call required, every-other-weekend (EOW) call rotation; will float between Mercy Hospital Downtown and Mercy Southwest

Hours per Week: 40

Candidate Pay Rate: $99 per hour

About United Health Care Staffing

At United Health Care Staffing (UHC Staffing), we believe healthcare staffing should be more than just finding a job. We are here to connect amazing professionals with opportunities that make their careers exciting, rewarding, and meaningful. With us, you're not just signing up for a contract you are joining a team that's got your back, answers your calls, and maybe even cracks a joke or two to brighten your day. Think of us as the travel buddy who handles the logistics while you focus on what you do best helping people heal.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Provide expert first-assist support in the OR during orthopedic, neuro, gynecologic, urology and general surgical cases
• Perform perioperative patient assessment and participate in surgical planning as the RN First Assistant
• Use Cerner for accurate perioperative documentation and charting to maintain patient safety and continuity
• Assist with robotic cases (DaVinci) and other advanced surgical technologies — your robotics experience will shine here
• Respond to call rotations and provide reliable coverage when colleagues need support
• Float between Mercy Hospital Downtown and Mercy Southwest as needed to ensure consistent OR staffing
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia, and nursing team members to optimize patient outcomes

Qualifications

• Active RN license in the applicable state(s) and RN First Assistant (RNFA) experience
• Minimum 2 years of perioperative/OR experience (no first-time travelers — prior travel or facility experience expected)
• Demonstrated robotics experience (mandatory — deal-breaker if not present)
• Experience in orthopedics, neuro and gynecology (SW) strongly preferred
• Cerner charting experience required
• BLS and ACLS certifications current

Education

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) — BSN not required
• Completion of RNFA training or documented experience as a Registered Nurse First Assistant

Knowledge & Skills

• Proven perioperative nursing and OR First Assist techniques
• Hands-on experience with surgical robotics (DaVinci) and robot-assisted procedures
• Comfortable with a wide surgical case mix: ortho totals, scopes, TSAs, neuro spine/crani, GYN oncology, urology and general surgery
• Strong Cerner documentation skills and electronic charting accuracy
• Ability to manage call responsibilities and adapt to floating between two hospital sites
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and situational awareness in high-acuity OR settings

Benefits

• Travel assignment perks and support to make your move smooth — think housing assistance and travel reimbursement (typical for contract roles)
• Medical, dental & vision options to keep you healthy and happy
• Licensure assistance and reimbursement support so paperwork is less painful
• Paid orientation (12 hours provided) to get you up to speed in Cerner and the OR
• Professional growth — exposure to robotics, ortho, neuro, gyn and a wide surgical case mix
• A supportive perioperative team who values experienced RNFAs and fosters mentorship
• Flexible shift patterns (8/10/12 hour options) to fit your work-life balance
• The chance to work at two Mercy locations for varied experience and expanded networking

Travel Perks: Explore Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield is a great hub for Central California exploration. Enjoy local attractions like Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace and the Kern County Museum, stroll the Bakersfield Museum of Art, or unwind at Hart Memorial Park. Outdoor lovers can find hiking and wildlife viewing at nearby preserves and take weekend trips to Sequoia National Park, vineyards in Kern County, or the coastal beaches and cultural attractions a few hours away. Plenty of local eats and a warm community make after-shift downtime enjoyable.

Hashtags

#RNFAJobs #BakersfieldCAJobs #TravelNurse #PerioperativeNursing #ORJobs #CernerNurses #UHCCareers #MercyHospitalJobs #RoboticsNursing #NursingJobs