Unit Director - Operating Room

UPMC Altoona is seeking a Registered Nurse with leadership experience for an exciting opportunity as a Unit Director for our Operating Room! Our Operating Room consists of 12 surgical suites, 1 procedure room, and 1 cysto room. We see an average of 800 cases a month and we do specialties including heart, neuro, and robotics!


In this challenging and rewarding position, the Unit Director maintains 24-hour accountability for leading and managing the assigned area in order to ensure an outstanding experience for patients and employees by continuously improving the quality of patient care, creating a healthy workplace for staff, and overseeing clinical, and administrative/business functions.


Why choose UPMC Altoona?

• Work/Life Balance - primarily a Monday-Friday schedule, dayshifts
• Competitive wages
• An incomparable benefit package (found to be 20% higher in value than other healthcare employers in our market!)
• 100% Tuition Reimbursement for your BSN/MSN degree through approved Universities.
• Generous vacation accrual
• Plus, this position is eligible for a generous Sign-On Bonus! External applicants will receive $15,000 in exchange for a 2-year work commitment!

Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with medical staff to monitor patient outcomes, set clinical priorities, recommend improvements, and implement safety initiatives.
• Monitors dashboard indicators to meet organizational goals and develops action plans to enhance quality.
• Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to improve clinical care and shares learning across units or the system.
• Analyzes nurse and patient satisfaction data, creating action plans to address concerns.
• Encourages staff involvement in evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives.
• Builds productive relationships through mentoring, positive communication, and effective conflict resolution.
• Establishes trust by recognizing contributions, fostering transparency, and setting clear expectations.
• Collaborates on scheduling for safety, work-life balance, and appropriate hours.
• Communicates clearly through various media to engage and inform audiences.
• Coaches staff on cultural diversity and addresses workplace challenges.
• Creates an inclusive environment that values staff, physicians, patients, and communities.
• Develops a shared vision, utilizing critical thinking, financial data, and quality metrics to shape department strategy.Involves staff and stakeholders in vision-setting within a shared governance model.
• Manages complex change by incorporating stakeholder input and supporting staff through transitions.
• Uses interpersonal techniques to gain acceptance of plans and adapts to situational needs.Influences the external environment through participation in professional organizations.
• Establishes a culture of patient-centered care using Relationship-Based Care and nursing standards.
• Ensures adherence to clinical performance standards and applies national best practices for excellence.
• Promotes interdisciplinary partnerships through committee involvement.
• Sets priorities for clinical, financial, and human resource improvements aligned with organizational goals.
• Manages department budget responsibly, ensuring efficient resource use.
• Sets high performance standards, fostering innovation and professional growth.
• Develops staff expertise through tailored developmental paths, clinical orientation, and specialty certification.
• Supports nursing student recruitment and shared governance via professional practice councils.
• Leads and mentors Clinician(s), guiding communication, leadership, and oversight responsibilities.
• Ensures all direct care providers possess required competencies through assessment and training.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 4 years of progressive leadership experience required with relevant clinical experience preferred.
• BS/BSN required at time of hire and master's degree/MSN required. If BS degree not in nursing, a Master's or higher degree in Nursing is required. If Master's degree not in nursing, a BSN is required.
• If the Master's degree/MSN is not present at time of hire, must be enrolled in a Master's or MSN program within one year of hire/transfer date and completed within three years of enrollment.
• Analytical ability necessary to evaluate staff, address and improve clinical issues and devise solutions to complex problems. Leadership ability to develop staff, establish and maintain standards of performance within a national context for professional nursing practice and comply with administrative requirements. Superior interpersonal and communication skills sufficient to effectively create relationships to support a healing environment with patients, families, staff, physicians and hospital personnel including senior management in both written and verbal communication.
• The individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately to the ages of the patients served by his/her assigned unit as specified below. They must also demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs and to provide the care needs as described in the department policy and procedures.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

*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.


UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran