Unit Director - T14 Oncology

UPMC Altoona is seeking a Registered Nurse with leadership experience for the Unit Director role on our T14 Surgical Trauma/Oncology unit. This position maintains 24-hour accountability for leading and managing the assigned area, ensuring an outstanding experience for patients and employees by continuously improving the quality of patient care, creating a healthy workplace for staff, and overseeing clinical and administrative/business functions.

About the Unit

Tower 14 at UPMC Altoona consists of two areas:

• Tower 14 Front (Surgical Trauma): A fast-paced, 23-bed unit specializing in the care of post-surgical adults and low-acuity trauma patients. The unit cares for patients who have undergone a wide range of abdominal surgeries, as well as general medical cases such as sepsis, renal insufficiency, respiratory conditions, pancreatitis, and other acute and chronic illnesses. The unit also provides medical telemetry monitoring.
• Tower 14 Back (Oncology & Palliative Care): An 18-bed medical telemetry unit providing specialized care to oncology and palliative care patients. There are 5 palliative care suites to accommodate patients with palliative care needs. Nurses are trained and certified to administer chemotherapy and provide care to patients requiring telemetry monitoring, neutropenic precautions, and other conditions. Each patient’s plan of care is tailored to their unique needs.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with medical staff to monitor patient outcomes; sets clinical quality priorities, recommends and implements professional improvements, and initiates unit-based patient safety initiatives.
• Monitors dashboard indicators and quality metrics to meet organizational goals; develops action plans to address specific concerns and improve quality.
• Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to support improvement in clinical care; shares learning from improvements with other units or across the system.
• Analyzes nurse and patient satisfaction outcome data; develops action plans to address areas of concern.
• Supports and encourages staff involvement in the development and implementation of evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives.
• Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by building teams and modeling positive communication.
• Resolves and manages conflict effectively and in a timely manner; extends trust by acknowledging contributions, listening, creating transparency, and clarifying expectations.
• Plans department work schedules in collaboration with team members to support safety, appropriate worked hours, and a healthy lifestyle.
• Conveys information clearly through a variety of media to engage audiences and ensure understanding and retention.
• Coaches staff on cultural diversity and addresses workplace horizontal violence and impairment.
• Creates an environment that recognizes and values differences in staff, physicians, patients, and communities.
• Develops a shared vision for the unit/department using critical thinking, financial and quality data, and conceptual knowledge; involves staff and key stakeholders in the process.
• Orchestrates complex change and acknowledges the psychological impact on self and others; involves stakeholders and experts in planning and redesigning change.
• Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifies behavior to accommodate tasks, situations, and individuals.
• Supports staff during difficult transitions and demonstrates ability to influence the external environment through professional and advocacy organizations.
• Establishes a culture of caring by promoting patient-centered decisions within the framework of Relationship Based Care; ensures nurses practice in accordance with established clinical standards.
• Applies national best practices and evidence-based care to build a culture of excellence in patient care.
• Promotes interdisciplinary partnership and consultation through participation in committees and related activities.
• Sets clinical, financial, and human resources priorities for improvement in alignment with organizational goals; demonstrates fiscal responsibility in budget management.
• Manages flexible staffing patterns to meet patient care needs and holds staff accountable for efficient resource use.
• Sets high standards of performance for self and others; fosters innovation, optimism, and professional growth.
• Creates developmental paths for staff to increase expertise; initiates innovation in staff development, clinical orientation, and continuing education.
• Supports specialty certification and develops a best-practice climate for the growth of students and new nurses; actively recruits nursing students through exceptional clinical experiences.
• Supports shared governance through a unit-based professional practice council and utilizes staff feedback to improve care, nursing practice, and/or the work environment.
• Leads and develops Clinician(s) who report directly, building leadership and communication skills, and providing mentorship in daily responsibilities.
• Supports Clinician(s) in oversight of direct reports, including difficult conversations, performance reviews, and recruitment.
• Assists with planning, implementing, and verifying that all direct care providers and staff have the required knowledge, skills, and competencies to address gaps.
• Oversees the Trauma/Medical Oncology section of the unit.

Requirements

• BS/BSN required at time of hire; master’s degree/MSN required. If BS degree is not in nursing, a Master’s or higher degree in Nursing is required. If Master’s degree is not in nursing, a BSN is required.
• If the 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.
• Minimum of 4 years of progressive leadership experience required; relevant clinical experience preferred.
• Leadership ability to develop staff, establish and maintain standards of performance, and comply with administrative requirements.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills to effectively build relationships and support a healing environment with patients, families, staff, physicians, and hospital personnel.

Qualifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.
• Chemo certification and Trauma certification required within one year of hire.
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure; Act 34 clearance.
• 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 located will have 60 days to apply for licensure within that state.

Benefits

• Primarily a Monday-Friday schedule with day shifts for work/life balance.
• Competitive wages.
• Incomparable benefits package (valued 20% higher than other healthcare employers in the market).
• 100% tuition reimbursement for BSN/MSN degrees through approved universities.
• Generous vacation accrual.
• Eligible for a $20,000 sign-on bonus for external applicants in exchange for a 2-year work commitment.