Professional Staff Nurse- Evaluation Referral Center/Emergency Department

UPMC • Pittsburgh, PA

18d • Onsite

About The Position

Join Our Team at UPMC Mercy as a Full‑Time Nurse in our Evaluation Referral Center (ERC). Are you passionate about caring for patients with psychiatric and substance use disorders? UPMC Mercy is seeking a full‑time, experienced Registered Nurse to join our Evaluation Referral Center (ERC) team. This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus up to $15,000 paid out in a one lump sum within your first 90 days! The ERC is an extension of UPMC Mercy’s Emergency Department and provides a secure, locked setting for patient evaluation by skilled clinicians. The ERC serves patients experiencing acute and/or chronic behavioral health or substance use disorders. Our interdisciplinary team collaborates to assess patients, determine the appropriate level of care, and provides therapeutic interventions to patients in crisis. We coordinate admissions, transfers, or discharges, working closely with Emergency Department staff. The ERC also supports involuntary commitments. Staff identify clinically appropriate alternatives to hospitalization such as intensive outpatient therapy.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse with at least 1 year of prior clinical experience
• Must have experience in one or more of the following: Addiction medicine, Emergency medicine, Psychiatric / behavioral health nursing
• All nursing degrees welcome
• At least one year of nursing experience in Addiction Medicine, Emergency Medicine or Behavioral Health required.
• 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.
• Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse either in the state where the facility is located or in a state covered by a licensure compact agreement with the state where the facility is located.
• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.
• ACLS and PALS required within 1 year of hire or transfer
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Registered Nurse (RN) OR Temporary Practice Permit (TPP)
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• UPMC approved national certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• sign-on bonus up to $15,000
• Overnight shifts receive a $2.00/hour differential
• Career Growth: Advance your nursing practice in behavioral health within a specialized, high‑acuity setting.
• Flexible Shifts: Primarily 12‑hour shifts with 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM start times.
• Supportive Environment: ERC nurses practice with a high level of autonomy while being fully supported by an experienced interdisciplinary team.
• Cross‑Training Opportunity: ERC nurses will be cross‑trained to assist in the Emergency Department as operational needs require.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree