UPMC Hamot is hiring 4 full-time OR Surgical Specialists!

The hours are Monday-Friday, 10-hour day shift, day off opposite of Clinician, and full call and holiday requirements

 Each OR Surgical Specialist will assist with one of the following surgical service groupings:

1. Neurosurgery, ENT, Maxillofacial, Eyes
2. Orthopedics, Hand, Podiatry
3. General, Robotics, Colorectal, Urology

4. Cardiovascular, Thoracic, Vascular, Transplant

    

    

   The OR Surgical Specialist will serve as an informal leader in the department, providing support to the Clinicians and designated service lines.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Leadership & Professional Practice

• Serves as a role model of professional nursing practice and a recognized leader in one or more areas: clinical expertise, education, resource specialization, and evidence-based practice.
• Provides constructive feedback to healthcare team members and actively participates in nursing peer review, including evaluation of core surgical specialty team performance.
• Promotes and leads change initiatives that enhance patient care quality and the OR environment.
• Demonstrates advanced clinical assessment and analytical skills within the framework of Relationship-Based Care.
• Participates in shared governance at the unit level and contributes to hospital-wide councils.

Quality Improvement & Innovation

• Identifies opportunities for clinical quality improvement, cost-effective supply management, and workplace enhancements.
• Applies evidence-based practices consistently and leads or participates in teams that implement innovations in patient care and workforce well-being.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration and respect, addressing issues such as horizontal violence and impairment.
• Maintains a healthy work-life balance through effective prioritization and delegation.

Education & Mentorship

• Demonstrates a passion for developing others by precepting students, graduate nurses, and new hires.
• Identifies learning opportunities to improve clinical and behavioral practices.
• Actively seeks performance feedback and engages in continuous professional development.
• Supports ongoing learning by sharing research, presenting educational materials, and facilitating journal clubs.

Patient Care & Communication

• Applies the nursing process to create a healing environment, utilizing strong communication skills to advocate for patient needs and coordinate care.
• Maintains comprehensive documentation that supports effective communication among caregivers.
• Demonstrates critical thinking in identifying and addressing clinical, social, psychological, and spiritual needs.
• Aligns daily practice with national professional standards and organizational goals to improve patient safety, quality, and satisfaction.

OR Specialty Team Leadership

• Demonstrates expert knowledge of the OR environment, equipment, and procedures.
• Leads service line specialty teams, which may span multiple specialties based on volume and complexity.
• Ensures availability of appropriate vendor trays, instrumentation, implants, and specialty products.
• Enforces compliance with approved vendor and product use policies; reports violations to the OR Nurse Manager.
• Participates in the Value Analysis Team (VAT) process.
• Educates staff on service line-specific equipment and updates.
• Supports onboarding and evaluation of new service line staff.
• Coordinates with Supply Chain Management to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date preference cards.
• Performs charge nurse duties and manages service line operations in the absence of the clinician.

Additional Responsibilities

• Performs scrub role (required for RNs hired on or after July 1, 2023).
• Participates in at least one department or hospital committee.
• Demonstrates understanding of departmental fiscal responsibilities.
• Contributes to decision-making regarding surgical equipment, instruments, and supply acquisition.
• Collaborates in developing surgical budgetary requirements.
• Organizes and coordinates effective use of personnel and materials.
• Develops and delivers continuing education topics and courses.