Purpose:The Unit Director maintains 24-hour accountability for leading and managing their assigned area in order to ensure an outstanding experience for patients and employees by continuously improving the quality of patient care, creating a healthy workplace for staff, and overseeing clinical, and administrative/business functions. The Unit Director is responsible for collaborating with medical staff to monitor patient outcomes and setting clinical quality priorities, supporting shared governance through a unit-based professional practice council and using staff feedback to implement professional and patient safety improvements, and developing a best practice climate for the growth and development of students as well as all unit employees. The Unit Director has responsibility for the oversight of selection and hiring of staff, department orientation, and fostering a culture of continuous performance management. This includes completing and delivering employee evaluations, managing daily unit and employee performance, as well as the department budget.
Responsibilities: - 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.
Qualifications: - 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 Masters degree/MSN required. If BS degree not in nursing, a Masters or higher degree in Nursing is required. If Masters degree not in nursing, a BSN is required. If the Masters degree/MSN is not present at time of hire, must be enrolled in a Masters 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. - 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 
