Casual Professional Staff Nurse – 3B Step Down Unit

UPMC St. Margaret is currently hiring a Casual Professional Staff Nurse to support the 3B Stepdown Unit.

UPMC is dedicated to providing each patient with the right care, in the right way, at the right time, every time. Our Registered Nurses are essential partners in that mission, enhancing the patient experience at UPMC with positivity and integrity. Join us as we provide Life Changing Medicine to our community. 

About 3B Stepdown:

The UPMC St. Margaret 3B Stepdown Unit is a fast paced 34 bed unit that provides acute critical to medical and surgical patients requiring a higher level of cardiac and pulmonary monitoring. If you enjoy working in a diverse setting where you can utilize your critical thinking skills on every shift to care for a variety of complex medical conditions, then 3B is the unit for you.  Staff on this unit are focused on making a difference in the lives of their patients, and they do so by working together as a family-oriented team.  The culture on 3B is one of collaboration, teamwork, and support focusing on providing an outstanding patient and employee experience. Our 3B leadership team is committed to providing you with extensive educational opportunities to help you grow your professional nursing practice. 

Nurses on our 3B Stepdown unit support the medical and surgical needs of patients receiving continuous cardiac monitoring, close observation, and specialized nursing care. Common cases admitted to this unit include but are not limited to congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, initial subendocardial infarction, coronary atherosclerosis, pneumonia of unspecified origin, acute renal failure, pulmonary embolus/infarct, chest pain, sinoatrial node dysfunction, syncope resulting in collapse. Registered Nurses on this unit undergo a comprehensive 8 week orientation. They are required to complete the ACLS certification, NIH Stroke Scale certification, and a Progressive Care certification (after 2 years of experience).

About the casual Professional Staff Nurse Role:

Our casual nurses must meet certain hours requirements.  There are two casual titles that follow different program guidelines.

1.   Professional Staff Nurse Limited Casual: 30 shifts required each calendar year                                                                                                  

2.   Professional Staff Nurse Casual: A minimum of 36 hours in three pay periods, one holiday per year, and a minimum of 24 hours Off-Shifts or Weekend or Standby shifts in a quarter

The casual Professional Staff Nurse is a valued step in the UPMC casual nursing career ladder, with opportunities for continued growth and advancement. Title and salary will be determined based upon education and nursing experience.

*The qualified candidate will be placed into the appropriate job title (Professional Staff Nurse Limited Casual or Professional Staff Nurse Casual) and salary based on relevant experience, education, and hours requirements*

Purpose:
The Professional Staff Nurse is a Registered Nurse and a member of the care delivery team. The Professional Staff Nurse is responsible to set the standards for the level and quality of care. The Professional Staff Nurse has responsibility, authority and accountability for the provision of nursing care. The Professional Staff Nurse manages and provides patient care activities for a group of patients and their families through the application of independent judgment, communication and collaboration with all team members. The role of the Professional Staff Nurse encompasses leadership, partnership, collaboration and supervision. The Professional Staff Nurse establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with physicians, other health care providers, patients and their families, to achieve desired patient outcomes throughout the continuum of care. The Professional Staff Nurse demonstrates a commitment to the community and to the nursing profession.

Responsibilities:

• Applies the nursing process within the framework of Relationship Based Care to create a healing environment. Formulates daily goals and a plan of care for patients that involves the patient as partner and considers the individual needs of the patient in a holistic manner. Demonstrates critical thinking in the identification of clinical, social, safety, psychological and spiritual issues for the patient care within an episode of care. Practices solid communication skills, and is able to articulate and translate the patient’s condition to other care providers and to negotiate and make recommendations for changes in patient care and unit practices. Patient documentation is comprehensive and promotes communication between caregivers. Incorporates national professional organization as well as business unit and health system’s goals to improve patient safety, quality and satisfaction. Creates a caring and compassionate patient focused experience by building healing relationships with patients, families and colleagues.
• Actively participates in department or unit-specific quality improvement efforts. Identifies opportunity for quality improvement to colleagues and management. Takes personal responsibility in improving patient satisfaction with the quality of care and service. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to support improvement in clinical care: identifies research issues or articles related to clinical specialty or areas of interest, discusses opportunities for quality improvement at multidisciplinary rounds, and influences patients’ plans of care.
• Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation and commitment to patients and colleagues. Demonstrates an understanding of cultural differences and holds peers accountable for healthy relationships. Maintains a conscious balance between work and personal life. Models safe work hours, time management and healthy lifestyle. Communicates with peers and management any safety hazards identified in the workplace.
• Demonstrates knowledge of adult learning principles (and/or teaching children if applicable) and applies in teaching of patients, families, students and new staff. Provides detailed and appropriate teaching to patients and families to effectively guide them through the episode of care as well as transition to another level of care and/or home. Supports the development of students, new staff and colleagues, may serve as a preceptor. Creates an environment of open dialogue, inquiry and continuous development by asking for feedback and improving practice.
• Demonstrates accountability for professional development that improves the quality of professional practice and the quality of patient care. Actively participates in unit-based shared governance, goal setting and supports the change and transition process to improve quality of care and the practice environment. Serves as a highly engaged and full partner on the care team and responds willingly to care team member needs for assistance and partnership. Participates in work that improves patient care and the professional practice environment. Adapts to change and demonstrates flexibility with the change process.