Unit Director - 3 South

Full-Time Unit Director – 3 South | UPMC Hamot UPMC Hamot is seeking a Full-Time Unit Director to lead 3 South, our Observation/Short Stay Acute Care Unit . This leadership opportunity is ideal for a motivated, self-driven nursing leader who takes a team-first approach and is passionate about developing staff, strengthening workplace culture, and supporting excellent patient care. The Unit Director provides clinical, operational, and administrative leadership for the department and maintains 24/7 accountability for the unit .

Schedule Hours: Monday through Friday

Primarily daylight/first shift with 24/7 accountability for the unit On-Call

Yes, including weekend on-call coverage for the medical-surgical group About 3 South: Observation/Short Stay Acute Care Unit 3 South is a 23-bed adult medical-surgical observation unit caring for patients who require short-term hospitalization following unsuccessful outpatient treatment, emergency department evaluation, or medical procedures. The unit focuses on patient stabilization, clinical reassessment, and determining the most appropriate next level of care, whether that is discharge home or admission for continued treatment.

The unit: Provides personalized, compassionate inpatient nursing care for medical-surgical patients. Uses an interdisciplinary care model that brings together physicians, advanced practice providers, registered nurses, and patient care technicians (PCTs). Promotes communication and coordination of the patient’s plan of care through practices such as bedside shift report and patient communication boards.

Emphasizes a strong patient and family experience through nurse leader rounding and regular communication. Uses hourly rounding to proactively address patient needs, comfort, and safety. Adjusts staffing based on patient needs, census, acuity, unit geography, and the skill level and mix of staff, consistent with UPMC Hamot nursing staffing guidelines.

The Unit Director maintains 24-hour accountability for leading and managing the assigned area, with a focus on providing an outstanding experience for both patients and employees. This leader works to continuously improve the quality of patient care, foster a healthy and collaborative workplace, and oversee the clinical, operational, and administrative functions of the department. The Unit Director collaborates with medical staff to monitor patient outcomes and establish clinical quality priorities; supports shared governance through a unit-based professional practice council; and uses staff feedback to identify opportunities for professional practice and patient safety improvements.

This leader also plays an important role in the growth and development of the team, including oversight of staff selection and hiring, department orientation, ongoing performance management, employee evaluations, and department budget responsibilities. What We’re Looking For We are looking for a leader who is self-driven, motivated, and committed to a team-first approach . The ideal candidate will be prepared to continue shaping and growing the team and its culture while providing strong clinical, operational, and administrative leadership.

The successful candidate will: Develop, coach, mentor, and recognize staff while creating opportunities for continued professional growth. Foster a positive, collaborative culture where team members are supported and empowered to succeed. Promote reliable use of key unit care practices, including nurse leader rounding, bedside shift report, hourly rounding, and patient communication tools.

Bring an innovative mindset and the ability to lead with autonomy and accountability. Be motivated by the opportunity to develop employees and see the impact of their leadership on the team, patient care, and overall unit culture. a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb; } tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6; } tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5; } Why UPMC? UPMC is committed to investing in nurses like you, financially, personally, and professionally, beginning on day one of your career.

From assistance with student loans to opportunities for continued education and career advancement, UPMC provides resources designed to support you throughout your nursing career. Here’s how we support our nurses: Generous Sign-On Bonus: Experienced nurses may be eligible for a sign-on bonus of up to $20,000 , with eligibility and bonus amount based on the nursing role and candidate experience. Generous Paid Time Off: Up to five and a half weeks of Paid Time Off annually , plus seven paid holidays each year .

Tuition Assistance: Tuition reimbursement of up to $6,000 per academic year at any accredited institution, available to eligible employees and their dependents. Education

Additional educational discounts and opportunities are available to UPMC employees, including no-cost RN-BSN and MSN options .

Collaborates with medical staff to monitor patient outcomes; set clinical quality priorities, recommend and implement professional improvements and initiatives and implement unit-based patient safety initiatives. Monitors dashboard indicators and quality in unit/department to meet organizational goals and 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 and/or spreads across the business unit or system. Analyzes nurse and patient satisfaction outcome data and develops action plan to address as needed. Supports and encourages involvement of staff nurses 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 relationships through mentoring and modeling uplifting and positive communication. Resolves and manages conflict effectively and in a timely manner. Extends trust by acknowledging the contributions of others; listens first, creates transparency in communications, confronts reality, and clarifies expectations.

Cares for patients and self by planning a department work schedule in collaboration with team members that supports safety, appropriate worked hours, and a healthy lifestyle. Conveys information and ideas clearly through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message. Coaches staff on cultural diversity and addresses workplace horizontal violence and impairment.

Creates an environment which recognizes and values differences in staff, physicians, patients, and communities. Demonstrates the ability to create a shared vision applies critical thinking skills and utilizes financial and quality data and conceptual knowledge in the development of the department vision and operational plan. Involves staff and key stakeholders in the development of a vision for the unit/ department within a shared governance model of practice.

Orchestrates complex change and acknowledges the psychological transition on self and others. Involves stakeholders and experts in planning, designing, and redesigning change. Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one/s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations and individual involved.

Supports staff during times of difficult transitions. Demonstrates ability to influence the external environment through participation in professional and advocacy organizations. Establishes a culture of caring by promoting decisions that are patient centered and within the framework of Relationship Based Care, using the nursing process that meets the clinical, psychological and spiritual needs of the patient, family and staff.

Ensures that nurses practice in accordance with established Clinical Standards of Performance as defined by organization, system, professional and regulatory organizations. Applies national best practices and uses evidence-based practice to build a culture of excellence in patient care. Promotes interdisciplinary partnership and consultation of hospital staff and health care team through participation in committees and related activities to ensure appropriate care and services for patients and families.

Sets clinical, financial, and human resources priorities for improvement in concert with organizational goals. Demonstrates sound fiscal responsibility in the development and management of the department budget and holds staff accountable for the efficient use of resources including but not limited to managing flexible staffing patterns to meet patient care needs. Sets high standards of performance for self and others by imposing standards of excellence and development of inquiry skills that are innovative, optimistic, and supportive of professional growth.

Creates developmental paths and plans for staff to increase the expertise and caliber of staff. Initiates innovation in staff development, clinical orientation, continuing education, and supports specialty certification. Develops a best practice climate for the growth and development of students as well as new nurses.

Actively recruits nursing students through the establishment of exceptional clinical experiences. Supports shared governance through a unit-based professional practice council and utilization of staff feedback to make changes to improve care, nursing practice, and /or the work. The Unit Director is expected to lead and develop all Clinician(s) that report directly to them to build strong leadership and communication skills, as well as mentorship in daily leadership responsibilities.

Supports Clinician(s) in their role of oversight of direct reports, including difficult conversations, performance reviews, and recruitment. Assist with planning, implementing, and verifying that all direct care providers and direct care staff have the required knowledge and skills/attitude-based competencies assessed to address gaps and verified. 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.

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. Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances: Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in practicing state. ACLS within one year of hire or transfer NIH Stroke within 6 months of hire or transfer.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Basic Life Support (BLS) NIH Stroke Scale (NIH) Registered Nurse (RN) Act 34 *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.

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran