Clinician - Emergency Department

UPMC Altoona is hiring a Clinician to lead and elevate patient care in our Emergency Department! We are looking for a Registered Nurse with at least 2 years of experience who exemplifies strengths in communication, teamwork, and flexibility.

This is a night shift position with shifts being 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM + 8 hours of office time every 2 weeks. Must have weekend and holiday availability.

Generous Sign-On Bonus: Sign-on bonus up to $15,000 available for eligible candidates who commit to a two-year work agreement

*Note: Candidate will be placed into the appropriate salary grade and job title based on experience and education.

Purpose of the Role

The Clinician is a highly skilled nurse leader who plays a pivotal role in shaping a culture of excellence. As a role model of professional nursing practice, you will guide and support your team, elevate clinical standards, and ensure exceptional patient care. Under the direction of the Unit Director or department leadership, you will oversee hiring, evaluations, and daily performance for your direct reports. You will also provide clinical expertise, education, and support for staff, while stepping in to deliver patient care when needed.

What You'll Lead & Influence

Team Leadership & Professional Development

• Build strong, positive working relationships across the unit and organization.

• Mentor and coach staff, fostering uplifting communication, cultural awareness, and a healthy work environment.

• Support colleagues through change by identifying learning needs, providing guidance, and modeling resilience.

• Serve as a preceptor and mentor for students, interns, new nurses, and developing preceptors.

• Participate in shared leadership and take on formal leadership responsibilities such as onboarding, evidence-based practice, or quality initiatives.

• Complete performance evaluations and support ongoing staff development.

Quality, Safety & Continuous Improvement

• Apply performance improvement tools to enhance patient care and the work environment.

• Integrate research, best practices, and system goals into daily operations.

• Share successful improvements across units and the broader organization.

• Promote patient safety, quality outcomes, and an exceptional patient experience.

Clinical Expertise & Patient Care

• Provide service-based education, orientation, and clinical consultation for staff.

• Use the nursing process and Relationship-Based Care to meet the clinical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of patients and families.

• Demonstrate strong critical thinking and communicate clearly with patients, families, and the care team.

• Ensure comprehensive documentation that supports seamless communication between caregivers.

• Maintain shift accountability for patient care when needed.

Communication, Collaboration & Professionalism

• Model professional communication and healthy team dynamics.

• Address workplace challenges such as horizontal violence and impairment with professionalism and compassion.

• Demonstrate accountability in time management, safe work hours, and personal well-being.

• Share new knowledge through presentations, posters, or publications.

Clinician Fellow Requirements:

• Minimum 2 years of nursing experience.

• If BSN not at time of hire, must be enrolled in a program within one year of hire/transfer date and completed within three years of enrollment.

• MSN or CNL preferred.

Clinician Requirements:

• Minimum 3 years of nursing experience

• BS/BSN required.

• If BS degree not in nursing, a master's or higher degree in Nursing is required.

• Master's degree preferred.

Sr. Clinician Requirements:

• Four years of nursing experience required.

• Prior progressive leadership experience strongly preferred for external hires.

• BS/BSN required

• Master's degree in nursing required if BS degree not in nursing or master's degree in a related field if BSN is held

• Employees with a BSN may substitute a master's degree with a UPMC approved nursing certification required within 1 year of hire/transfer and must be maintained.

Other Qualifications:

• Demonstrated competence as a Professional Staff Nurse.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Exemplary 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:

• Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in practicing state.

• National Certification preferred.

• 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)

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

• 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