UPMC·Altoona, Pennsylvania
Provide direct nursing care to open heart surgery patients, including medication administration and the development of comprehensive care plans. Coordinate with interdisciplinary medical teams and maintain safety compliance through rigorous documentation and patient assessment.
Patient Care Provide Direct Care: Use nursing protocols and standards to perform and document procedures safely and accurately. Administer medications and IV therapy following policy. Assess and Reassess: Evaluate and document patient and family needs. Reassess patients every eight hours or as needed. Plan Care: Involve patients and families in creating care plans. Prioritize needs, conduct care conferences, and maintain up-to-date care plans. Coordinate with community agencies and other professionals. Coordination and Communication Engage in Team Discussions: Work with medical staff and other professionals to discuss and develop patient care plans. Utilize Systems: Use Bed Management System, Alpha, CPOE, and other relevant computer systems efficiently. Education and Leadership Teach and Educate: Initiate health teaching for patients and families based on their needs. Contribute to the education of staff and students. Consult and Lead: Offer guidance and support to other healthcare team members. Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions. Safety and Compliance Follow Precautions: Adhere to universal precautions and occupational exposure policies. Identify and address potential problems and environmental factors affecting patient care. Maintain Competency: Complete annual competency validation and stay proficient in point-of-care testing as per lab criteria. Maintains proficiency and competency in point of care testing as defined in the evaluation criteria established by the laboratory. Demonstrates professionalism in providing patient care. Serves as a consultant to other members of the health-care team.
Must hold a current license to practice nursing in the State of Pennsylvania; must satisfactorily complete the Nursing Department's orientation program and probationary period. Must complete NIHSS education prior to end of orientation period, if required.
Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Registered Nurse (RN) Act 33 with renewal Act 34 with renewal Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal *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
Must hold a current Pennsylvania nursing license and certifications in BLS/CPR and ACLS. Requires completion of specific clearances (Act 33, 34, 73, and FBI) and a nursing degree.
Market context
Pennsylvania nursing roles are typically in steady demand across hospitals, outpatient settings, and long-term care, especially for RNs with current state licensure and BLS certification. These positions are competitive because employers often prefer candidates with a BSN and recent medical-surgical experience, and this platform’s AI-summarized requirements and benefits help you review the original posting faster. Before applying, confirm your Pennsylvania RN license, BLS status, and whether your experience matches the unit’s preferred background.