Staff Nurse- Prepare for Critical Care

Prepare for Critical Care at UPMC McKeesport

Do you have a career goal to become a skilled Emergency or Critical Care nurse? UPMC McKeesport, a community centered facility, invites you to explore our Prepare for Critical Care pathway! Gaining experience in our acute care units will better prepare nurses to transition into the Emergency Department, Stepdown or ICU.

Our Prepare for Critical Care pathway is designed to equip you with the skills that you need to become a successful and confident ICU/Emergency nurse. You will start on one of our acute care units based off your area of interest. In this time, it is our goal to help new graduates and experienced nurses gain the knowledge and skill set needed to care for the diverse and high-acuity patient population of our ICU or Emergency Departments at UPMC.

About Our Acute Care Units

3M- 3 Mansfield is a 19-bed Medical-Surgical Telemetry Unit that provides specialized care for adult observation patients with complex renal, pulmonary, and cardiac conditions, as well as general medical-surgical needs. This unit is equipped to manage patients requiring continuous cardiac monitoring (telemetry) and supports timely interventions for patients with rapidly changing clinical statuses. The unit focuses on a diverse patient population, including those with acute and chronic kidney disease, peritoneal dialysis, chemotherapy treatments, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and a range of pulmonary conditions such as COPD, asthma, and pneumonia. Our skilled interdisciplinary team delivers individualized, evidence-based care with an emphasis on clinical stabilization, early discharge planning, and patient education.

4M- 4 Mansfield is a 24- bed telemetry med-surg unit that cares for patients with a variety of disease processes including COPD, heart failure, diabetic wound management, and addiction medicine. The unit is also a designated stroke unit which requires all nurses to be NIH stroke scale certified. 4 Mansfield offers nurses the opportunity to hone their skills and continue to advance their careers in a variety of disciplines.

Sign-On Bonus Details

• Sign-on bonuses may be available for eligible candidates

Here's How We Support Our Nurses

• UPMC McKeesport's brand-new Monthly Loan Repayment program, for new graduates! Offering $15,000* in loan repayment paid over three years. (*Eligible to full-time or flex full-time RN roles to receive prorated amount).
• Dedicated career ladders, including a brand-new nursing career ladder added just this year, allowing you to achieve your highest potential while rewarding you for your experience and advanced education.
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $6,000 per academic school year at any accredited institution, available to employees and their dependents (plus discounts for UPMC employees including no-cost RN-BSN/MSN options).

Purpose

The Professional Staff Nurse is a Registered Nurse is a member of the care delivery team. The Professional Staff Nurse is responsible to set the standards for the level and quality of care. The Professional Staff Nurse has responsibility, authority and accountability for the provision of nursing care. The Professional Staff Nurse manages and provides patient care activities for a group of patients and their families through the application of independent judgment, communication and collaboration with all team members. The role of the Professional Staff Nurse encompasses leadership, partnership, collaboration and supervision. The Professional Staff Nurse establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with physicians, other health care providers, patients and their families, to achieve desired patient outcomes throughout the continuum of care. The Professional Staff Nurse demonstrates a commitment to the community and to the nursing profession.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates knowledge of adult learning principles (and/or teaching children if applicable) and applies in teaching of patients, families, students and new staff. Provides detailed and appropriate teaching to patients and families to effectively guide them through the episode of care as well as transition to another level of care and/or home. Supports the development of students, new staff and colleagues, may serve as a preceptor. Creates an environment of open dialogue, inquiry and continuous development by asking for feedback and improving practice.
• Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation and commitment to patients and colleagues. Demonstrates an understanding of cultural differences and holds peers accountable for healthy relationships. Maintains a conscious balance between work and personal life. Models safe work hours, time management and healthy lifestyle. Communicates with peers and management any safety hazards identified in the workplace.
• Applies the nursing process within the framework of Relationship Based Care to create a healing environment. Formulates daily goals and a plan of care for patients that involves the patient as partner and considers the individual needs of the patient in a holistic manner. Demonstrates critical thinking in the identification of clinical, social, safety, psychological and spiritual issues for the patient care within an episode of care. Practices solid communication skills, and is able to articulate and translate the patient's condition to other care providers and to negotiate and make recommendations for changes in patient care and unit practices. Patient documentation is comprehensive and promotes communication between caregivers. Incorporates national professional organization as well as business unit and health system's goals to improve patient safety, quality and satisfaction. Creates a caring and compassionate patient focused experience by building healing relationships with patients, families and colleagues.
• Actively participates in department or unit-specific quality improvement efforts. Identifies opportunity for quality improvement to colleagues and management. Takes personal responsibility in improving patient satisfaction with the quality of care and service. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to support improvement in clinical care: identifies research issues or articles related to clinical specialty or areas of interest, discusses opportunities for quality improvement at multidisciplinary rounds, and influences patients' plans of care.
• Demonstrates accountability for professional development that improves the quality of professional practice and the quality of patient care. Actively participates in unit-based shared governance, goal setting and supports the change and transition process to improve quality of care and the practice environment. Serves as a highly engaged and full partner on the care team and responds willingly to care team member needs for assistance and partnership. Participates in work that improves patient care and the professional practice environment. Adapts to change and demonstrates flexibility with the change process.

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. Minimum 6 months experience. BSN preferred. Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients/families. Ability to work productively and effectively within a complex environment, handle multiple/changing priorities and specialized equipment. Good clinical judgment with critical thinking, analytical and problem solving abilities required as related to various aspects of patient care. Critical thinking skills necessary to exercise and to lead others in application of the nursing process. Mobility and visual manual dexterity. Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting and positioning of patients.Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances: NIH Certification will be required within 6 months of hire for the following units: ED, CVU, ICU and 5M.CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hireNIH required within 6 months of hire.

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIH)
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran