Description

UPMC Altoona is seeking a full-time Registered Nurse to join our Surgical Trauma/Medical Oncology & Palliative Care team! This position will work day shifts, 7am-7pm including rotating weekends and holidays.

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 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.

Purpose:
Provides direct and indirect care to patients utilizing the nursing process. Provides leadership for the nursing team, and contributes to the education of a variety of members of the staff and students.

Responsibilities:

• Implementation:a. Utilizes nursing care protocols and standards.b. Carries out and documents procedures according to Hospital Policy.c. Performs technical skills safely and accurately, and demonstrates a working knowledge of equipment.d. Transcribes and implements physicians' orders appropriately.e. Demonstrates knowledge of the physiological basis for the nursing care delivery.f. Demonstrates knowledge of medication and IV therapy administration according to policy.g. Initiates and coordinates health teaching for patients and families/significant other based on individual needs.
• Engages the medical staff and other professionals in discussion of patient care problems resulting in mutually developed plans of care.
• Utilizes Bed Management System, Alpha, CPOE, and all other computer systems appropriately,
• Assessmenta. Assesses patient and family needs and documents this information appropriately in the computer or on appropriate form.b. Reassesses patient every eight hours, and, as necessary.
• Planning:a.Includes the patient and family/significant other in the formulation of the plan of care.b. Prioritizes patient's needs appropriately.c. Plans, conducts, and documents patient care conferences.d. Maintains a current plan of care for each assigned patient.e. Utilizes appropriate community agencies and other health care professionals in planning care.
• Evaluationa.Revises plan of care, as necessary based on daily evaluation of patient.b.Evaluates patient's outcome based on previously defined goals.c.Evaluates and documents the patient's response to care, teaching, and treatment.
• Adheres to universal precautions.Identified potential problems and initiates appropriate measures.Identifies environmental factors which deter effective patient care, initiates action, and contributes ideas towards resolution.
• Complies with established occupational exposure policies.
• Completes annual competency validation activities.
• Maintains proficiency and competency in point of care testing as defined in the evaluation criteria established by the laboratory.
• Demonstrates professionalism in providing patient care.
• Serves as a consultant to other members of the health-care team.

Qualifications

Education and Formal Training Required:

• Must hold a current license to practice nursing in the State of Pennsylvania.
• Must satisfactorily complete the Nursing Department's orientation program and probationary period.
• Must complete NIHSS education prior to end of orientation period, if required.

Experience Required: None.

When assigned to STICU, T14-Surgical, T11, 5E, SPCU, must complete the Trauma Nurse Course within one year of hire. Must maintain six stroke and six trauma competencies per year. Must attend Trauma Symposium yearly.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

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