Unit Director, ICU and CVU

UPMC Western Maryland's Intensive Care And Cardiovascular Step-Down Units Are Looking For An Experienced Unit Director

The ICU and the CVU work together to provide critical care services, so this position will oversee both units. Prior Critical Care or Emergency experience is strongly preferred!

The ICU is an 18-bed critical care unit with a patient to nurse ratio of 2:1. The ICU manages any critical illness and/or injury including trauma, sepsis, stroke, cardiac, and multi-organ failure. They can provide:

• Specialty infusions
• Respiratory management and ventilators
• Continuous bedside dialysis
• Therapeutic hypothermia post cardiac arrest
• Invasive monitoring

The CVU is a 10 bed Cardiovascular step-down unit with a patient to nurse ratio of around 2:1. They can provide:

• CABG/Valve replacement (Surgery to discharge)
• Thoracotomy
• IABP
• TAVR
• Past cardiac arrest care
• Stemi care

This position is intended to work regular office hours Monday through Friday. No holidays or weekends!

If you are an experienced nurse with a passion for leadership looking to take the next step in your career, make sure to apply today!

Clinical Quality And Patient Safety:

• Collaborate with medical staff to monitor patient outcomes and set clinical quality priorities.
• Implement professional improvements and unit-based patient safety initiatives.
• Monitor dashboard indicators and quality metrics; develop action plans to address concerns.
• Utilize research and evidence-based practices to enhance clinical care.
• Share improvements across units and the business system.
• Analyze nurse and patient satisfaction data; develop action plans as needed.
• Encourage staff involvement in evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives.

Team Building And Communication:

• Build and maintain productive relationships through mentoring and positive communication.
• Resolve conflicts effectively and timely; foster trust and transparency.
• Plan department work schedules to support safety and a healthy lifestyle.
• Communicate clearly to engage and inform the audience.
• Coach staff on cultural diversity and address workplace issues.
• Create an inclusive environment valuing differences in staff, physicians, patients, and communities.

Leadership And Vision:

• Develop a shared vision and operational plan using critical thinking and data analysis.
• Involve stakeholders in planning and implementing changes.
• Support staff during transitions and influence the external environment through professional organizations.
• Promote patient-centered decisions within the framework of Relationship-Based Care.
• Ensure compliance with Clinical Standards of Performance.
• Apply national best practices to build a culture of excellence in patient care.
• Promote interdisciplinary partnerships and consultation.
• Set clinical, financial, and HR priorities aligned with organizational goals.
• Manage the department budget responsibly and ensure efficient resource use.

Professional Development:

• Set high performance standards and support professional growth.
• Create developmental paths for staff and support specialty certification.
• Recruit nursing students and provide exceptional clinical experiences.
• Support shared governance and use staff feedback to improve care and practice.
• Lead and develop clinicians, supporting their leadership and communication skills.
• Assist in planning and verifying competencies of direct care providers and staff.

Demonstrated knowledge and skills to provide care and interact appropriately with patients of all ages. Understanding of growth and development principles across the lifespan. Ability to assess patient data and interpret information to meet age-specific needs. Minimum of 4 years of progressive leadership experience required; relevant clinical experience preferred. Analytical skills to evaluate staff, address clinical issues, and solve complex problems. Leadership skills to develop staff, maintain performance standards, and comply with administrative requirements. Superior interpersonal and communication skills for effective relationships with patients, families, staff, physicians, and senior management. 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 master's degree/MSN is not present at time of hire, must enroll in a Master's or MSN program within one year of hire/transfer date and complete within three years of enrollment.

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