Sr. Professional Staff Nurse - Med Surg/Telemetry/Stroke Unit (West Shore)

UPMC • Mechanicsburg, PA

1d

About The Position

The Senior Professional Staff Nurse is a Registered Nurse and member of the care delivery team, responsible for setting standards for the level and quality of care and accountable for providing 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 throughout the continuum of care. The nurse also demonstrates commitment to the community and nursing profession.

The role serves as a recognized unit leader in areas such as clinical expertise, teaching, specialized nursing resources, and evidence-based practice. It supports quality improvement, professional development, shared governance, patient safety, and a healthy workplace. The nurse applies Relationship Based Care and the nursing process to develop individualized plans, communicate patient needs, document care, and create a compassionate, healing experience.

The position requires providing care appropriate to the ages and developmental needs of patients on the assigned unit. Title and starting pay rate may vary based on years of experience.

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of experience.
• Current Registered Professional Nurse licensure in the state where the facility is located, or an eligible multistate license under the Nursing Licensure Compact.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, other providers, staff, departments, patients, and families.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex environment, handle multiple or changing priorities, and use specialized equipment.
• Exemplary clinical judgment, critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving abilities related to patient care.
• Critical thinking skills to apply and lead others in applying the nursing process.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills for care appropriate to the ages and developmental needs of patients served by the assigned unit.
• Mobility and visual-manual dexterity, with physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting, and positioning of patients.
• Maintain a Solid/Strong/Good or higher rating on annual performance evaluations to retain this level; this rating is also required for promotion to this level.
• Within one year of hire or transfer, complete an approved professional contribution or obtain a UPMC-approved nursing certification, and maintain the certification when applicable. Certification is not required for nurses holding a master's degree in nursing or a DNP; for those with a BSN, a master's degree in a related field may substitute for certification.
• Complete CPR within 30 days of hire according to AHA standards, including didactic and skills demonstration components.
• Maintain required Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Registered Nurse (RN), and Act 34 clearances.
• Employees with an out-of-state compact license who change residency to the state where the facility is located must apply for licensure in that state within 60 days.

Nice To Haves

• BSN preferred.
• UPMC-approved nursing certification preferred.
• Master's degree in nursing or DNP may satisfy the certification alternative; for BSN holders, a master's degree in a related field may substitute for certification.

Responsibilities

• Manage and provide patient care activities for a group of patients and their families.
• Set standards for the level and quality of nursing care and remain accountable for its provision.
• Identify opportunities for clinical quality and workplace improvement, apply evidence-based practice, and participate in or lead improvement teams.
• Serve as a professional role model and recognized unit leader in clinical expertise, teaching, specialized resources, and/or evidence-based practice.
• Give appropriate feedback to members of the health care team, participate in nursing peer review, and promote changes that improve patient care and the unit environment.
• Participate in shared governance at the unit level and serve on hospital-wide councils.
• Precept students, graduate nurses, and new hires; identify learning opportunities and support ongoing learning in the clinical area.
• Seek feedback and pursue continuous professional improvement.
• Use the nursing process within Relationship Based Care to formulate daily goals and individualized plans of care with patients as partners.
• Communicate and document patient conditions and care comprehensively, and make recommendations for changes in patient care and unit practices.
• Use critical thinking to identify clinical, social, safety, psychological, and spiritual issues, while advancing patient safety, quality, and satisfaction.
• Build healing relationships with patients, families, and colleagues and promote a caring, compassionate, patient-focused experience.
• Build and repair colleague relationships, demonstrate cultural awareness, and prevent and address horizontal violence and impairment.
• Maintain balance between work and personal life through prioritization and delegation.
• Complete an annual professional contribution aligned with department, hospital, or system goals and approved by the Unit Director, or meet the applicable certification requirement.

Benefits

• Sign-on bonus of up to $20,000, with amount and eligibility based on nursing role and candidate experience.
• Monthly loan repayment program for eligible 2026–2027 nursing graduates, offering $20,000 over three years; eligible flex full-time RN roles receive a prorated amount.
• Up to five and a half weeks of paid time off annually.
• Seven paid holidays each year.
• Dedicated career ladders, including a nursing career ladder that rewards experience and advanced education.
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $6,000 per academic year at an accredited institution for employees and their dependents.
• Employee discounts, including no-cost RN-BSN/MSN options.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed