Unit Director - Psychiatric Emergency Services

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

About The Position

Our Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) department is a highly specialized, high‑acuity service staffed by an experienced, multidisciplinary team providing 24/7 crisis assessment, stabilization, and disposition for patients with acute behavioral health needs. The ideal candidate has advanced leadership experience in behavioral health or acute psychiatric settings and a proven ability to lead teams in high‑acuity, fast‑paced environments. They bring strong people‑centered leadership, emotional intelligence, and communication skills, along with operational, staffing, and regulatory expertise. This role requires a visible, adaptable leader who collaborates effectively across disciplines, manages crisis‑driven workflows, and aligns unit operations with organizational priorities, even during periods of change. This position is eligible for a $15,000 sign on bonus with a 2-year work commitment!

Requirements

BS/BSN required at time of hire and master's degree/MSN required.
If BS degree not in nursing, a Master's or higher degree in Nursing is required.
If Master’s degree not in nursing, a BSN is required.
If the Master’s degree/MSN is not present at time of hire, must be enrolled in a Master’s or MSN program within one year of hire/transfer date and completed within three years of enrollment.
The individual must be able to 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.
They must also 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.
Minimum of 4 years of progressive leadership experience required with relevant clinical experience preferred.
Analytical ability necessary to evaluate staff, address and improve clinical issues and devise solutions to complex problems.
Leadership ability to develop staff, establish and maintain standards of performance within a national context for professional nursing practice and comply with administrative requirements.
Superior interpersonal and communication skills sufficient to effectively create relationships to support a healing environment with patients, families, staff, physicians and hospital personnel including senior management in both written and verbal communication.
Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in practicing state.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
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.

Responsibilities

Partners with medical and interdisciplinary leaders to drive patient outcomes, quality improvement, and unit‑based safety initiatives
Uses performance metrics, satisfaction data, and evidence‑based practice to identify gaps, implement action plans, and spread improvements
Builds trusting, inclusive teams through effective communication, mentoring, and timely conflict resolution
Promotes psychological safety, cultural competence, staff well‑being, and respectful workplace practices
Develops and leads a shared unit vision aligned with organizational goals using quality, financial, and operational data
Leads complex change initiatives with stakeholder engagement and supports staff through transition
Ensures compliance with clinical, regulatory, and professional standards while advancing patient-centered, interdisciplinary care
Manages budgets, staffing models, and resources responsibly to support safe, high-quality care
Sets high performance expectations and supports professional growth through coaching, education, certification, and shared governance
Develops direct‑report leaders, supports workforce competency validation, and oversees recruitment and performance management