Straight Nights Professional Staff Nurse- Neurology ICU (4 West)

Professional Staff Nurse

This position is part of UPMC's RN Night Program. Straight night RN assignments are eligible for a $2.00/ hour off-shift differential with an additional $2.00/ hour program differential. Straight Night Shift Nurses will earn $4.00 an hour extra for every night shift worked.

The Professional Staff Nurse is a Registered Nurse and 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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

• 1+ years of RN experience required.
• An Associates Degree in Nursing, BSN, or MSN is required.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to provide care and interact with all ages of patients. Understand the principles of growth and development over the lifespan.
• Establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with patients and their families, executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, and other departments.
• Work productively and effectively in an environment with changing priorities that require specialized skills.
• Think critically to analyze and problem-solve to deliver the best patient care. Use sound clinical judgment and problem-solving to deliver quality patient care when it matters most.
• Understand, apply, and champion nursing best practices.
• Ability to work productively and effectively within complex environments and handle multiple/changing priorities and specialized equipment.
• Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting, and positioning of patients.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• ACLS within 12 months of hire
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• CPR is required based on AHA standards that include both didactic and skills demonstration within 30 days of hire.
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• 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-approved national certification preferred.
• Act 34