Tower 14 is a 41 bed fast paced adult medical/surgical, palliative and oncology unit with telemetry monitoring capabilities. We are the preferred unit to receive and care for low acuity trauma patients. Our nurses are required to obtain trauma education and certification within one year of hire. We are the only inpatient unit in the hospital trained to administer and monitor chemotherapy. The nurses are provided with education and training to acquire a chemotherapy certification within one year of hire.  We are also the only unit in the hospital equipped with five palliative care suites to accommodate our palliative patients and their families. We are the unit of choice for abdominal surgeries, including but not limited to colon resections, cholecystectomies, and appendectomies as well as general medical cases such as renal failure, pancreatitis, and acute on chronic illnesses.

What makes Tower 14 an exceptional place to work? We have a team of amazing team members who collaborate to provide excellent care to our diverse patient population. Our wide variety of patients offers each nurse the opportunity to experience various clinical experiences on a daily basis.

As a team member on Tower 14, you will enjoy a supportive team environment, a leadership team that is invested in your growth, and diverse learning opportunities. Come join our team and rise with us on Tower 14.

UPMC is hiring a .9 fulltime Registered Nurse to help support the Medical/Surgical and Palliative Oncology Unit for its UPMC Altoona Tower 14 location.  As a member of this team, you will provide 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:

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