RN Staff Nurse Opportunities - T10 Surgical Progressive Care

Job Description

Are you a Registered Nurse ready to take the next step in your career, or a new nurse eager to thrive in a supportive environment?  At UPMC Altoona, you’ll have the chance to deliver Life Changing Medicine alongside an interdisciplinary team of world-class professionals.  As part of our T10 Surgical Progressive Care Team, you’ll experience the excitement of a fast-paced, 28-bed surgical and trauma stepdown unit while building advanced skills in cardiopulmonary care, chest tube management, and complex post-surgical recovery.

We’re committed to your growth and well-being. With our Professional Development Program (career ladder), ongoing learning opportunities, and a premier benefits package designed to support you and your family, you’ll have the resources you need to succeed—both inside and outside of work. Most positions offer three 12-hour shifts per week with rotating day and night schedules, giving you balance and flexibility.

Join us in a role where your expertise makes a difference every day, and where your career can flourish in a culture of excellence, compassion, and innovation

Future Graduates & experienced Registered Nurses are encouraged to apply – future GNs can apply up to 1 year in advance of graduation.

Compensation: We offer competitive starting pay, with rates that reflect your nursing education and professional experience. UPMC Altoona RNs benefit from newly enhanced pay, with starting rates increasing by $4/hour, plus an additional $2 shift differential.*

Minimum starting pay rates:

$35.50 (BSN)

$34.00 (non-BSN)

Your title and salary will be determined based upon education and nursing experience.

Generous Sign-On Bonus: Sign-on bonuses up to $20,000 are available for eligible candidates who commit to a two-year work agreement

Tuition Assistance and Loan Repayment: UPMC’s monthly loan repayment program for eligible nursing graduates offers up to $15,000 in loan repayment paid over three years. Learn about the ways UPMC supports graduate nurses here:

Purpose & Responsibilities:

Patient Care

• Provide Direct Care: Use nursing protocols and standards to perform and document procedures safely and accurately. Administer medications and IV therapy following policy.

• Assess and Reassess: Evaluate and document patient and family needs. Reassess patients every eight hours or as needed.

• Plan Care: Involve patients and families in creating care plans. Prioritize needs, conduct care conferences, and maintain up-to-date care plans. Coordinate with community agencies and other professionals.

Coordination and Communication

• Engage in Team Discussions: Work with medical staff and other professionals to discuss and develop patient care plans.

• Utilize Systems: Use Bed Management System, Alpha, CPOE, and other relevant computer systems efficiently.

Education and Leadership

• Teach and Educate: Initiate health teaching for patients and families based on their needs. Contribute to the education of staff and students.

• Consult and Lead: Offer guidance and support to other healthcare team members. Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions.

Safety and Compliance

• Follow Precautions: Adhere to universal precautions and occupational exposure policies. Identify and address potential problems and environmental factors affecting patient care.

• Maintain Competency: Complete annual competency validation and stay proficient in point-of-care testing as per lab criteria.

Experience Required: 

• None

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.  

  Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
   

• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire

• Must obtain one of the eight certifications within two years of hire/transfer:

  • Acute/Critical Care RN (CCRN) OR Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses OR Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) OR Certified Flight Nurse OR Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse OR Certified Progressive Care Nurse OR Emergency Nursing Pediatric OR Trauma Certified Registered Nurse.

     

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• NIH Stroke Scale (NIH)

• Registered Nurse (RN)

• Act 34

*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.