Unit Director- 6 West General Surgery

Join Our Team at UPMC East!

Are you a compassionate leader ready to make a real impact? UPMC East is looking for a full-time Unit Director to guide our Ortho Unit and Admissions Team. This is your chance to inspire excellence, support your team, and shape patient care in a dynamic environment. If you're passionate about leadership and driven to make a difference, apply today!

Responsibilities : Quality and Patient Care

Collaborates with medical staff to monitor patient outcomes. Sets clinical quality priorities, recommends and implements professional improvements and initiatives, and implements 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 develop action plans to address as needed. Supports and encourages involvement of staff nurses in the development and implementation of evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives. Establishes a culture of caring by promoting decisions that are patient-centered and within the framework of Relationship-Based Care. 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 healthcare 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 managing flexible staffing patterns to meet patient care needs.

Staff Development and Leadership

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 that recognizes and values differences in staff, physicians, patients, and communities. 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 recruit 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.

Vision and Change Management

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. Involve 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; modifies one's own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations, and individuals involved. Support staff during times of difficult transitions. Demonstrates the ability to influence the external environment through participation in professional and advocacy organizations.

Qualifications

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. Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in practicing state.