OR Surgical Specialist

OR Surgical Specialist Full-Time | UPMC Hamot

UPMC Hamot is seeking a dedicated Operating Room (OR) Surgical Specialist to join our team!

This full-time role consists of four 10-hour day shifts (typically MondayFriday), day off opposite the assigned Clinician, and includes on-call and holiday requirements.

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

• General, Robotics, Colorectal, Urology, Renal Transplant
• Cardiovascular, Thoracic, Vascular

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.

• Minimum Experience: 4 years of professional nursing experience required.
• Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Professional Development:
  • Annual completion of a professional contribution aligned with department, hospital, or system goals, as approved by the Unit Director.
  • One of the following must be obtained within 1 year of hire/transfer and maintained thereafter:
    • UPMC-approved nursing certification
    • Certification from the UPMC Wolff Learning Academy Center for Nursing Excellence
    • Master's degree in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
    • If a BSN is held, a Master's degree in a related field may substitute for certification.

Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive, compassionate relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary/support staff, other departments, and patients/families.
• Proven effectiveness in navigating complex environments, managing multiple and shifting priorities, and operating specialized equipment.
• Exemplary clinical judgment, critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills relevant to patient care.
• Strong leadership in applying and guiding others through the nursing process.
• Physical capabilities including mobility, visual/manual dexterity, and stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting, and patient positioning.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Required Certifications:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) must meet AHA standards, including both didactic and skills demonstration components, completed within 30 days of hire.
  • Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of employment or a multistate license under the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC).
    • Employees who relocate to the state where the facility is located must obtain state licensure within 60 days of residency change.
• Clearances:
  • Act 33 with renewal
  • Act 34
  • Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran