Current UPMC employees must apply in HR Direct.

Magnet and Nursing Excellence Specialist – West Central PA Region

Job ID: 240002XJ
Status: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Shift: Day Job
Facility: UPMC Shadyside
Department: Office of Patient Exp
Location: 2323 Broad Avenue, Altoona, PA
Union Position: No
Salary Range: $ 43.38-65.07 USD

Join Our Team as a UPMC Experience and Nursing Excellence Specialist!

Are you passionate about creating positive experiences for patients and employees? We’re looking for a dedicated Specialist to lead and execute strategies that enhance our mission of delivering exceptional care and support within the West Central PA Region. In this role, you’ll provide coaching and professional development to our staff, ensuring continuous improvement in patient and employee experiences. If you’re a proactive leader with a commitment to excellence, we want to hear from you!

Job Summary:

The UPMC Experience and Nursing Excellence Specialist is a Full-Time opportunity and will support four hospitals in the West Central PA Region (UPMC Altoona, UPMC Bedford, UPMC Somerset, and UPMC Western Maryland).

This role Reports directly to the Senior Director, UPMC Experience & Nursing Excellence and indirectly to the hospital CNO. This role is deeply embedded into the culture of the hospital and practices.

The Specialist ensures the mission of UPMC Experience is done through direction, oversight, coordination, and execution of prescribed strategies that support positive experiences for our patients and employees. The Specialist also provides coaching and professional development related to experience improvements to staff within UPMC Altoona, UPMC Bedford, UPMC Somerset, and UPMC Western Maryland.

Responsibilities:

  • Provide oversight of the UPMC Experience program through monitoring, reporting, and activities to meet/exceed goals.
  • Operational liaison for patient experience.
  • Develop and maintain positive working relationships with Executive, Senior and Operating management team within assigned business unit(s).
  • Excellence in Nursing practice working within the framework of the ANCC Nursing Excellence model.
  • Responsible to develop and lead the annual planning process of the nursing and organizational strategic plan; identify critical issues/opportunities in nursing practice; develop strategic recommendations for optimizing growth, reducing turnover and professional development of the nursing division.
  • Through an iterative approach, lead teams to increase employee engagement and implement those ideas through the development of an agile framework to support the patient and employee experience.
  • This individual will be viewed as the expert in the field by employees, in particular as it relates to organizational development, evidence-based practice, nursing research, Magnet and/or Pathways designation and redesignation program and the development patient experience work to promote a culture to demonstrate patients are the priority.
  • Collaborate with the CNO and other directors in the development, implementation and evaluation of the System strategic plans, objectives, and standards.
  • Support excellence in the delivery of all services to patients and professional practice within scope.

Managing:

  • Provide leadership and direction for the goals of shared leadership councils that are consistent with the priorities of the organization.
  • Establish processes necessary to assure timely implementation of the strategic goals for the nursing division.
  • Direct the activities related to career development of employees.
  • Provide leadership for patient care service lines beyond inpatient nursing.

Leadership:

  • Ensure that the values, mission, and established standards of the hospital are aligned with the patient experience work.
  • Resource expert and coach for UPMC experience tactics.
  • Promote happy work/life balance, strategies that have been shown to increase productivity and employee loyalty to support employee engagement.
  • Establish timely and effective communication with leadership within and outside of the Department of Nursing and inform them of important issues and trends.
  • Model behavior that is conducive to positive patient and employee relations and consistent with organizational values.

Care Delivery:

  • Ensure that operational excellence projects maintain patient care as the center of the work.
  • Influence staff acceptance of recommended practice changes by articulating the contribution to clinical improvements established patient care goals.
  • Seek out and integrates cost saving opportunities into clinical practice changes.

Professional Growth:

  • Role models appropriate and effective methods for data analysis, problem solving, communication negotiation and persuasion skills.
  • Maintain accountability for ongoing self-development activities, especially related to presentation facilitation, change management and application of quality improvement activities.
  • Provide mentorship for individuals at the department/unit/team level.
  • Participate in professional organization activities to enhance personal growth and cultivate relationships in the field at a regional and national level.
  • Communicate unit operational excellence efforts and accomplishments via formal presentations and or publications at local, regions and national forums when available.

Collaborative Practice:

  • Consult with essential stakeholders to finalize and advance the patient experience goals.
  • Establish and maintain positive working relationships with staff, medical staff leaders and other support areas.
  • Elicit input and advise on UPMC Experience work

  • *Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.
  • *Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • 4 years of progressive nursing leadership experience with extensive clinical and operational knowledge
  • Master’s degree required
  • PHD or DNP preferred
  • Skillful in driving accountability of the UPMC Experience work
  • Knowledge and Experience in Magnet and or Pathways models in support of excellence
  • Knowledge of the NDNQI and quality reports
  • Understanding of goal setting, action planning & promoting leadership accountability to key behaviors
  • Board certified NE-BC/NEA-BC preferred
  • Exceptional problem-solving, listening, and leadership, conflict resolution and change management skills
  • Superior writing and verbal communication skills
  • Strong self-motivation and enthusiasm for coaching others to meet goals

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

  • Registered Nurse (RN)
    • Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state.
    • Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

CAREER GROWTH

Grow Your Nursing Career

Spanning over 20 clinical specialties and more than 50 unique nursing roles, every nurse at UPMC can achieve and advance their goals with the My Nursing Career Ladder. Whether you’re looking to progress to an elevated role or continue your education, UPMC equips nurses with the resources, feedback, leadership, and benefits to help you succeed and achieve your career goals. Here’s how a few nurses have grown their careers through the years at UPMC:

Clyde C.

As a Professional Staff Nurse, Expert at UPMC Muncy, Clyde is a great example of someone who has taken advantage of UPMC’s My Nursing Career Ladder to grow his career while remaining in the same hospital location.

Clyde’s Career Journey:

⦁ 2017: Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Muncy
⦁ 2021: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Muncy
⦁ 2022: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse II – UPMC Muncy
⦁ 2022-present: Professional Staff Nurse, Expert – UPMC Muncy

Male nurse stands in front of hospital, smiling at the camera.

Michelle B.

In her current role as a Professional Staff Nurse, Expert at UPMC Presbyterian, Michelle cares for patients with chronic and ongoing health issues as part of a Medical-Surgical unit. Michelle enjoys the daily change that Med-Surg nursing brings, and has found a career path that is interesting, meaningful, and full of opportunity.

Michelle’s Career Journey:

⦁ 2019: Staff Nurse – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2020: Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2021: Professional Staff Nurse, BSN – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2021: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse, BSN – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2022: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse II, BSN – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2023: Professional Staff Nurse, BSN, Expert – UPMC Presbyterian

Michelle, a blonde nurse, smiles at the camera outside of a hospital setting.

Jouli H.

Born in Syria, Jouli H. had a childhood dream of becoming a nurse. After moving to the United States and initially pursuing a different career, Jouli decided to return to school when she turned 30, returning to the hope and dream she had as a little girl. After attending UPMC Mercy School of Nursing, Jouli has continued her UPMC career journey, even becoming a mother along the way.

Jouli’s Career Journey:

⦁ 2020: Staff Nurse – UPMC Mercy
⦁ 2020: Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Mercy
⦁ 2021: Professional Staff Nurse, BSN – UPMC Mercy
⦁ 2022: Professional Staff Nurse, BSN, Casual – UPMC Mercy
⦁ 2023: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse, BSN, Casual – UPMC Mercy

Jouli wears blue scrubs in a hospital room, looks at camera with a soft smile on her face.

INSURANCE SERVICES DIVISION OF UPMC

Advance Your Future

A career with UPMC means more than just caring for patients – when you’re a part of UPMC Insurance Services Division, it means caring for more than four million insurance members, too. UPMC Insurance Services Division offers a full range of health insurance products and services to our network across the country, providing peace of mind, better health, and financial security to our members, along with limitless career opportunities and a rewarding mission to those on our team.

About UPMC Insurance Services Division

As an integrated health care provider-insurer, UPMC goes beyond patient care to provide insurance products and services to millions of members. Our team partners with UPMC and community network providers to deliver knowledge and expertise that provides the highest quality care at the most affordable price, supporting our members through service, communication, and more.

Fast Facts:

  • We provide insurance products and services to over more than four million members.
  • UPMC’s Insurance Services Division offers a full range of health insurance options including UPMC Health Plan, Workpartners, UPMC for Life, UPMC for You, UPMC for Kids, UPMC Community HealthChoices, and Community Care Behavioral Health.
  • UPMC Health Plan is among the nation’s fastest-growing health plans.

Opportunities on Our Team

We’ve got a job that’s just right for you! UPMC Insurance Services Division team offers a vast array of career paths and opportunities, from career areas like customer service, data analytics, and information technology and even patient care roles like social work, nursing, and care management.

Whether in non-clinical or patient-facing roles, our team impacts patients and members by providing quality experiences before, during, and after their care, building relationships in a unique and meaningful way.

Recognized for Excellence

Be a part of an award-winning team! UPMC Insurance Services Division has been recognized for outstanding care and service with awards that include:

  1. U.S. News and World Report named UPMC for Life a “Best Insurance Company for Medicare Advantage” in Pennsylvania for 2024.
  2. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has named UPMC Health Plan an “Equality 100 Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion” for 2023–2024.
  3. UPMC for Life ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction* among Medicare Advantage Plans in Pennsylvania by J.D. Power.
  4. The Ethisphere Institute named UPMC as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the sixth consecutive year.

*Results are based on award-eligible plans in Pennsylvania by J.D. Power. For J.D. Power 2024 award information visit, jdpower.com/awards.

Jump-Start Your Career

Looking to launch a career with longevity and opportunity? With countless entry-level opportunities for recent graduates, along with tools and resources that empower you as you learn and grow, UPMC Insurance Services Division is the perfect place to get a career started.

Interested in taking your career to new heights? Our career paths and advancement opportunities will provide you with chances to achieve your goals at every step.

BENEFITS AND LIFE AT UPMC

Why Work Here

We know that you have many options when choosing where to build your career. So why choose UPMC? We can think of a few reasons.

Work-Life Balance

Finding the ideal balance to manage the important elements in your life.

Development & Opportunities

Enhancing your career through continued learning opportunities and/or advancement.

Compensation

Receiving competitive pay for the work that you do – base pay, merit, and premium pay.

Performance & Recognition

Rewarding performance that supports the goals and mission of UPMC.

Benefits

Providing assistance and security to meet the current and future needs of you and your family.

Work-Life Balance

Finding the ideal balance to manage the important elements in your life.

Development & Opportunities

Enhancing your career through continued learning opportunities and/or advancement.

Compensation

Receiving competitive pay for the work that you do – base pay, merit, and premium pay.

Performance & Recognition

Rewarding performance that supports the goals and mission of UPMC.

Benefits

Providing assistance and security to meet the current and future needs of you and your family.

Benefits that Matter to You

We’re committed to providing benefits that meet your needs and support your well-being in all areas of life.

  • Earn over 5 weeks of paid time off every year
  • Affordable medical, dental & vision coverage
  • Student loan assistance and tuition reimbursement options
  • Earn up to 8% of your eligible pay in retirement contributions from UPMC
  • Employer-paid life insurance

Benefits that Matter to You

We’re committed to providing benefits that meet your needs and support your well-being in all areas of life.

  • Earn over 5 weeks of paid time off every year
  • Affordable medical, dental & vision coverage
  • Student loan assistance and tuition reimbursement options
  • Earn up to 8% of your eligible pay in retirement contributions from UPMC
  • Employer-paid life insurance

Benefits that Matter to You

We’re committed to providing our employees with benefits that meet their needs and support their well-being in all areas of life.

  • Earn over 5 weeks of paid time off every year
  • Affordable medical, dental & vision coverage
  • Student loan assistance and tuition reimbursement options
  • Earn up to 8% of your eligible pay in retirement contributions from UPMC
  • Employer-paid life insurance

Support for You – and Your Family

Your career doesn’t impact just you, but the people you care about, too. We’re making sure your career works for the whole family.

  • Two weeks of paid parental leave
  • Family planning resources
  • Tuition assistance for dependents
  • Comprehensive health care for dependents
  • Emergency child and elder care options
  • Flexible work arrangements

Support for You – and Your Family

Your career doesn’t impact just you, but the people you care about, too. We’re making sure your career works for the whole family.

  • Two weeks of paid parental leave
  • Family planning resources
  • Tuition assistance for dependents
  • Comprehensive health care for dependents
  • Emergency child and elder care options
  • Flexible work arrangements

Support for You – and Your Family

Your career doesn’t impact just you, but the people you care about, too. We’re making sure your career works for the whole family.

  • Flexibility to choose the shifts and work arrangements work best for your lifestyle
  • Two weeks of paid parental leave
  • Family planning resources
  • Comprehensive health care for dependents
  • Emergency child and elder care options

A Culture That Cares

At UPMC, you can find a home among people who share your passions and care about who you are.

A Culture That Cares

At UPMC, you can find a home among people who share your passions and care about who you are.

A Culture That Cares

UPMC is a place where you can find a home, no matter your gender, race, sexual orientation, age, or culture, and where you can meet people who share your passions and care about you.

Tools to Reach Your Potential

Once you become a member of our team, the journey doesn’t stop there. UPMC is committed to supporting your growth and helping you build the career of your dreams.

  • Up to $6,000 of annual tuition assistance
  • Ongoing learning via LinkedIn Learning
  • Accelerated career pathways for growth
  • Robust instructor-led education and learning pathways

Tools to Reach Your Potential

Once you become a member of our team, the journey doesn’t stop there. UPMC is committed to supporting your growth and helping you build the career of your dreams.

  • Up to $6,000 of annual tuition assistance
  • Ongoing learning via LinkedIn Learning
  • Accelerated career pathways for growth
  • Robust instructor-led education and learning pathways

Tools to Reach Your Potential

Once you become a member of our team, the journey doesn’t stop there. UPMC is committed to supporting your growth and helping you build the career of your dreams.

  • Unlimited educational possibilities, including no-cost BSN and MSN programs
  • Robust career ladders for every nurse – no matter your specialty, location, or career stage
  • Up to $6,000 of annual tuition assistance
  • Ongoing learning opportunities

Expansive Opportunity

Where do you want to go with your career? Wherever it is, UPMC can take you there.

Expansive Opportunity

Where do you want to go with your career? Wherever it is, UPMC can take you there.

Expansive Opportunity

Where do you want to go with your career? Wherever it is, UPMC can take you there.

* Note: Benefits described may not be applicable to all staff.

Read More about Nursing at UPMC

Keshon, a younger male nurse, wears blue scrubs outside a hospital, looks at camera with a soft smile on his face.

Through tuition assistance and mentorship by coworkers, Keshon launched his nursing career in his hometown of McKeesport.

Jouli wears blue scrubs in a hospital room, looks at camera with a soft smile on her face.

Since growing up in Syria, Jouli H.’s story has been one that inspires all of us to remember how empowerment can truly change someone’s life.

Collage of four photos of medical-surgical nurses, all smiling.

We asked our nurses to shed some light on what Med-Surg nursing means to them. Get to know Med-Surg nursing – in four words – from UPMC nurses!

Read More about UPMC Insurance Services Division

Collage of four photos of medical-surgical nurses, all smiling.

In UPMC Insurance Services Division, analysts work to understand, innovate, and improve the products and services UPMC provides.

Young man smiles at camera in a studio setting.

Eddie S. shares how his passion for football, fishing, and friendship shapes his life and his career with UPMC Health Plan.

Veteran outside hiking.

We asked our nurses to shed some light on what Med-Surg nursing means to them. Get to know Med-Surg nursing – in four words – from UPMC nurses!

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