Professional Staff Nurse - Oncology (West Shore)

UPMC•Mechanicsburg, PA

About The Position

The Professional Staff Nurse is a Registered Nurse and member of the care delivery team, responsible and accountable for the provision and quality of nursing care. The nurse manages and provides care for a group of patients and their families using independent judgment, communication, collaboration, leadership, partnership, and supervision. The role establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with physicians, other health care providers, patients, and families to achieve desired outcomes across the continuum of care, while demonstrating commitment to the community and nursing profession. The nurse applies the nursing process within Relationship Based Care, develops individualized plans and goals, identifies clinical and other patient needs, communicates patient conditions to the care team, and maintains comprehensive documentation. The role includes patient and family education, supporting the development of colleagues and students, participating in shared governance and quality improvement, and using research and evidence-based practice to improve care and the professional practice environment. The nurse must provide age-appropriate care and apply knowledge of growth and development across the lifespan. The position requires zero to two years of experience. Chemo administration training will be required at the one-year mark. A BSN and UPMC-approved national certification are preferred. Flexible shift programs, including primarily night or weekend shifts with premium pay differentials, may be available to qualifying employees; these programs require at least six months of nursing experience.

Requirements

Zero to two years of experience.
Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in the state where the facility is located or under an applicable multistate licensure compact; graduate nurses may hold a Temporary Practice Permit as specified.
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), with CPR training meeting AHA standards and including didactic and skills demonstration components within 30 days of hire.
Graduate nurses must complete the licensure examination within six months of hire or within one year of graduation, whichever comes first; UPMC requires the examination within six months of start date.
Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients and families.
Ability to work effectively in a complex environment, handle multiple or changing priorities, and work with specialized equipment.
Good clinical judgment, critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving abilities related to patient care.
Critical thinking skills necessary to exercise and lead others in applying the nursing process.
Mobility, visual manual dexterity, and physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting, and positioning patients.
Knowledge and skills to provide appropriate care and interaction for the ages served by the assigned unit, including knowledge of lifespan growth and development and the ability to assess and interpret age-specific patient needs.
Act 34 clearance.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
UPMC-approved national certification.

Responsibilities

Manage and provide patient care activities for a group of patients and their families.
Establish collaborative relationships with physicians, health care providers, patients, and families to achieve desired patient outcomes.
Maintain productive working relationships and communicate identified workplace safety hazards to peers and management.
Teach patients and families about their care and transitions, and support the development of students, new staff, and colleagues; may serve as a preceptor.
Apply the nursing process within Relationship Based Care to create a healing environment and develop patient-centered plans of care.
Identify clinical, social, safety, psychological, and spiritual patient needs; communicate patient conditions and recommend changes to care or unit practices.
Maintain comprehensive patient documentation that supports communication among caregivers.
Participate in unit-based shared governance, goal setting, change processes, and work to improve patient care and the professional practice environment.
Participate in department- or unit-specific quality improvement efforts and identify improvement opportunities.
Use research and evidence-based practice to support improvements in clinical care and patient plans of care.
Provide age-appropriate care by assessing patient status and interpreting information in light of age-specific needs.