Licensed Practical Nurse, 8 South Neurology

Licensed Practical Nurse Opportunity

UPMC Hamot is hiring a Licensed Practical Nurse to join our 8 South Neurology unit! This position is full-time, rotating day and night shifts. One year of practical nursing experience highly preferred.

Neurology and Neurosurgical Acute Care Unit

8 South is a 20-bed unit who cares for adult and geriatric neurological or neurosurgical patients. Within the 20 beds are 9 beds capable of accommodating intermediate care patients and 2 beds capable of accommodating epilepsy monitoring patients (EMU). The unit provides service to patients with neurological conditions that include cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs), seizures, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), multiple sclerosis (MS), and other neurological disorders. The unit also provides for patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures, which include craniotomies, back surgeries, spinal cord stimulators, deep brain stimulators, cranial nerve decompressions, and aneurysm coilings/clippings. This unit has a 6:1 nurse-patient ratio every shift.

Sign-On Bonus Details (Full Time Status)

• $12,500 sign-on bonus available for nurses with over one year of experience
• $10,000 sign-on bonus available for graduate nurses

UPMC is committed to investing in nurses like you financially, personally, and professionally starting on day one of your career. From tackling student loans to advancing your career later in life, UPMC is the partner you need to succeed and thrive in your nursing career.

Here's how we support our nurses:

• Up to five and a half weeks of Paid Time Off annually, plus seven paid holidays each year
• Dedicated career ladders, including a self-promoting nursing career ladder, allowing you to achieve your highest potential while rewarding you for your experience and advanced education
• A highly rated benefits package, including tuition reimbursement
• Top clinicians, leading researchers, and the most modern equipment and technology in health care today

Purpose: Act as a member of the health-care team by exercising sound nursing judgment based on preparation, knowledge, experience in nursing and competency and able to provide care and IV therapy following UPMC LPN Practice Guidelines and policies, and the State Board Regulations. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) participates in the planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care using focused assessment in settings where nursing takes place under the direction of a Registered Nurse or other licensed UPMC provider. In this role, the LPN must take nurse assignment at the top of their license in a med/surg/tele or Emergency Department setting.

Responsibilities:

• Licensed to function as a member of the healthcare team using sound nursing judgment, preparation, and experience. Participates in planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care through focused assessments in clinical settings.
• Communicates with RNs and healthcare team when patient needs exceed LPN scope, skill level, or when there is a significant change in condition. Seeks guidance when patients become unstable, unresponsive to therapy, or require immediate assistance.
• Obtains instruction and supervision when performing new or unfamiliar procedures. Adheres to UPMC policies, LPN Practice Guidelines, and the State Practice Act.
• Practices within LPN guidelines including IV therapy and uses Relationship-Based Care to create a healing environment. Develops daily goals and care plans with patient involvement, considering individual and holistic needs.
• Maintains comprehensive documentation to support communication among caregivers and ensure continuity of care.
• Incorporates national standards and organizational goals to improve patient safety, quality, and satisfaction. Builds compassionate relationships with patients, families, and colleagues.
• Provides appropriate education to patients and families throughout care and during transitions. Supports orientation and development of new LPNs and care support staff.
• Seeks feedback and engages in continuous professional development. Participates in learning programs and identifies opportunities for clinical and workplace improvement.
• Collaborates with healthcare team, patients, and families to achieve desired outcomes. Demonstrates accountability, motivation, and commitment to colleagues and patients.
• Promotes cultural awareness and healthy peer relationships. Maintains work-life balance and models safe work habits and time management. Reports safety hazards to peers and management.
• Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies and behaviors. Completes other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Successful completion and graduation from a Licensed Practical Nursing Program approved by the State Board of Nursing.
• 02 years of experience required.
• Completion of IV therapy curriculum required within 4 months of hire/transfer; must commit within 30 days of start.
• Graduates from 2012 onward have IV therapy included in PA State Board Approved Programs; those who graduated prior must provide official proof of completion.
• Must take nurse assignment at the top of LPN license in med/surg/tele or Emergency Department settings.
• Must demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide age-appropriate care based on unit assignment.
• Must understand principles of growth and development across the lifespan and assess patient needs accordingly.
• Ability to identify and participate in process improvement opportunities to enhance patient care.
• Collaborates with healthcare team, patients, and families to achieve desired outcomes.
• Builds and maintains positive, caring relationships with all levels of staff and patients/families.
• Able to work effectively in complex environments with changing priorities and specialized equipment.
• Requires mobility, visual/manual dexterity, and physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting, and patient positioning.
• Computer skills required to utilize the electronic health record system.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) within one year of hire or transfer.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
• LPN must maintain state licensure where they are practicing or in a state covered by a licensure compact agreement with the state where the facility is located. If graduated prior to 2012, the LPN will need to provide official proof of completion of IV therapy approved program within 4 months of hire/transfer.
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIH) within 6 months of hire or transfer.
• 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