Clinician – Days – Surgical Trauma/Oncology

UPMC Altoona is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse who is ready to take the next step in their career as a nursing leader. If you are interested in growing your career, and leading other nurses with the support of a leadership team, UPMC Altoona has an opportunity for someone like you to serve as a Clinician or Clinician Fellow on our Tower 14 Surgical Trauma/Medical Oncology & Palliative Care unit! 

This position is eligible for a generous sign-on bonus! External candidates are eligible for $20,000 in exchange for a 2-year work commitment!

About Tower 14 – Surgical Trauma/Medical Oncology & Palliative Care

• Tower 14 front: Surgical/Trauma is a fast-paced, 23-bed unit specializing in the care of post-surgical adults and low acuity trauma patients. Our unit specializes in caring for patients who have undergone a wide range of abdominal surgeries, as well as general medical cases such as sepsis, renal insufficiency, respiratory conditions, pancreatitis, and a variety of acute and chronic illnesses. Tower 14 is also able to provide medical telemetry monitoring for those patients who require this type of care.
• Tower 14 back: Medical Oncology & Palliative Care is an 18-bed medical telemetry unit that provides specialized care to both oncology and palliative care patients. There are 5 palliative care suites to accommodate our patients with palliative care needs. Nurses are trained and certified to administer chemotherapy and provide care to patients who may require telemetry monitoring, require neutropenic precautions, and numerous other conditions. Each plan of care for our patients is tailored to meet each of their unique care needs.

What is a Clinician/Clinician Fellow?

• A highly developed role model of professional nursing practice with focused expertise and accountabilities in one or more of the following: expert clinical practice, teaching/development, and/or evidence-based practice. This role partners with management in the achievement of a culture of excellence in professional nursing practice and patient care. 
• Under the direction of the Unit Director or Department Manager, assists in the completion of employee evaluations, selection and hiring of staff, and performance management. This role has the authority, responsibility, and shift accountability for the delivery of nursing care through the use of the nursing process. 
• Applies superior clinical knowledge and skills to achieve quality patient care outcomes.
• Responsible for providing service-based education and clinical expertise for staff including orientation and training, consultation on practice issues, and general coordination of clinical activities on a shift basis. 
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills to provide care that is relevant to patients under their care, as well as apply principles of growth and development over the life span. 
• Must possess the ability to assess and interpret patient data needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs. 

*The qualified candidate will be placed into the appropriate job title (Clinician or Clinician Fellow) and salary grade based on years of experience and education*

Responsibilities:

• Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by building teams and relationships through mentoring and modeling uplifting and positive communication. Coaches colleagues on cultural diversity and addresses workplace horizontal violence and impairment. Demonstrates accountability to self and others for safe work hours, time management and healthy lifestyles.
• Demonstrates knowledge of performance improvement tools and techniques. Continuously improves the quality of care and the work environment of outcomes and the integration of research and best practices into daily work. Shares learning from improvements with other units and/or spreads across the business unit or system.
• Demonstrates interest in the development of others and positively impacts the lives of patients/families, peers, and members of the healthcare team through mentoring, education, and knowledge sharing. Actively participates in the role of preceptor for student nurses, nurse interns, graduate and experienced nurses and assists with the development of new preceptors in their role. Mentors and role models quest for continuous learning through formal education and the development of others. Seeks opportunities to share expertise with other members of the healthcare team within and beyond the clinical unit/department.
• Incorporates national professional organization as well as business unit and health system’s goals to improve patient safety, quality, and satisfaction of the patient experience in daily work. Creates a caring and compassionate patient focused experience by building healing relationships with patients, families, and colleagues. Disseminates new knowledge and innovations through presentations, posters, and publications.
• Applies nursing knowledge and skills within the framework of Relationship Based Care, using the nursing process to meet the clinical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of the patient and family. Demonstrates critical thinking in the analysis of clinical, social, safety, psychological and spiritual issues for the patient care within an episode of care. Practices solid verbal and written communication skills and can 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. Ensures patient documentation is comprehensive and promotes communication between caregivers.
• Serves as a leader in clinical nursing practice, identifying patient and staff focused opportunities for improvement and leading the change process. Identifies, educates, and supports the psychological and learning needs of staff during change and transition. Practices participatory leadership and is an active member of shared leadership at the unit, facility, or system level. Assumes formal leadership responsibilities for one or more of the following: quality improvement, evidence-based practice, GN or new hire on-boarding. Completes and/or assists with staff performance evaluations for direct reports as applicable.