Staff Nurse Opportunities – Medical Stepdown Unit

Company: UPMC
Location: Altoona
Posted on: May 31, 2021

Job Description:

Description

The Medical Stepdown Unit at UPMC Altoona (also referred to as Tower 12 or Medical Progressive) is ready for you to join their dedicated team of nurses!  We have a variety of full-time opportunities available now!  This is the perfect unit to find a balance between med/surg and ICU.  See below for an overview of the unit plus our exciting upgrades to our incentive program!

This position is eligible for a generous sign-on bonus!  Whether you’re a recent Graduate Nurse looking to launch your nursing career, or a seasoned RN seeking a change, now is your moment to find your place at UPMC!

Sign-On Bonus Details (Full Time or Flex Full Time status)

• $15,000 sign-on bonus available for nurses with over two years of experience
• $10,000 sign-on bonus available for Graduate Nurses and nurses with less than two years of experience
• If you are eligible for the $10,000 sign-on bonus, then you may be eligible to receive an additional $5,000 loan repayment incentive!

*Part Time status positions are also eligible for sign-on bonus at a prorated amount - $7,500 for experienced nurses with over 2 years of experience, and $5,000 for GNs and nurses with less than 2 years of experience

GN level candidate starting rates:

• ASN/ADN:  $26.31

• BSN:  $27.56

Experienced RN starting rate:

• Starting rate based on education and minimum rates above + experience

When you are ready to take your career to the next level, UPMC Altoona has a RN Career Ladder, which allows you to enhance your practice and receive additional compensation!  Ask your recruiter for details!

The Medical Stepdown Unit (MPCU – Tower 12), is a fast paced 45 bed medical stepdown/progressive care unit. We serve the adult population with acute diagnoses that are too unstable for a general medical floor, or who are newly transferred out of ICU. We provide care to a wide variety of patients – we are the unit of choice for cardiac dysrhythmias, heart failure, myocardial infarction, sepsis, multisystem organ failure and respiratory compromise requiring BiPAP and high flow oxygenation. We are ACLS certified and are trained to care for patients requiring cardiac drips and complex rhythm interpretation. We provide postop cardiac care to patients after pacemaker insertion, ablation, cardiac catherization, and watchman procedures.

What makes Medical Stepdown a great place to work? We have an incredible team of nurses, patient care technicians, respiratory therapists, physicians, and case managers that collaborate to provide exceptional patient care. Our unit provides a unique environment to hone your organizational and time management skills and a wide variety of clinical experiences to expand your knowledge base, whether you are a new graduate or an experienced RN.

As a new staff member on MPCU, you will enjoy the flexibility of self-scheduling, nursing leadership that is invested in your growth, and a team of professionals that will support you as you develop your nursing career. Come join us and be a part of this amazing team!

As a member of this team, you will provide direct and indirect care to patients utilizing the nursing process, provide leadership for the nursing team, and contribute to the education of a variety of members of the staff and students.

Responsibilities:

• Adheres to universal precautions.  Identifies potential problems and initiates appropriate measures.  Identifies environmental factors which deter effective patient care, initiates action, and contributes ideas towards resolution.
• Complies with established occupational exposure policies.
• Completes annual competency validation activities.
• Maintains proficiency and competency in point of care testing as defined in the evaluation criteria established by the laboratory.
• Demonstrates professionalism in providing patient care.
• Serves as a consultant to other members of the health-care team.
• Engages the medical staff and other professionals in discussion of patient care problems resulting in mutually developed plans of care.
• Utilizes Bed Management System, Alpha, CPOE, and all other computer systems appropriately.
• Implementation:  a. Utilizes nursing care protocols and standards.  b. Carries out and documents procedures according to Hospital Policy.  c. Performs technical skills safely and accurately and demonstrates a working knowledge of equipment.  d. Transcribes and implements physicians' orders appropriately.  e. Demonstrates knowledge of the physiological basis for the nursing care delivery.  f. Demonstrates knowledge of medication and IV therapy administration according to policy.  g. Initiates and coordinates health teaching for patients and families/significant other based on individual needs.
• Assessment:  a. Assesses patient and family needs and documents this information appropriately in the computer or on appropriate form.  b. Reassesses patient every eight hours, and, as necessary.
• Planning:  a. Includes the patient and family/significant other in the formulation of the plan of care.  b. Prioritizes patient's needs appropriately.  c. Plans, conducts, and documents patient care conferences.  d. Maintains a current plan of care for each assigned patient.  e. Utilizes appropriate community agencies and other health care professionals in planning care.
• Evaluation:  a. Revises plan of care, as necessary based on daily evaluation of patient.  b. Evaluates patient's outcome based on previously defined goals. c. Evaluates and documents the patient's response to care, teaching, and treatment.

Qualifications

Experience Required:

• None (Graduate Nurses & Registered Nurses are welcome to apply and be considered!)

Education and Formal Training Required:

• Must hold a current license to practice nursing in the State of Pennsylvania
• Must satisfactorily complete the Nursing Department's orientation program and probationary period.
• Must complete NIHSS education prior to end of orientation period, if required.
• For all positions in Critical Care: CCRN is required within two years of hire date. RN-C or CCRN required for MPCU and SPCU within two years of hire date.
• ACLS preferred, BLS required. PALS for specific units.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Certification
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

Keywords: UPMC, Altoona , Staff Nurse Opportunities – Medical Stepdown Unit, Other , Altoona, Pennsylvania