Licensed Practical Nurse

This position is eligible for a generous sign-on bonus

Sign-On Bonus Details:

$10,000 for new graduates with less than one year of experience

$12,500 for experienced LPNs with one or more years of experience

Candidates hired into a sign-on bonus eligible role will be asked to make a two-year work commitment.

UPMC Mercy is hiring full-time Licensed Practical Nurses to support its inpatient rehab departments

Title/salary will be determined based off of years of experience. Those with two or more years of experience may qualify for the Senior LPN title/pay. Salary range and responsibilities as shown is for regular LPN.

UPMC Mercy Rehabilitation Institute is one of the leading rehabilitation programs in the United States as well as a dedicated Comprehensive Stroke Center as accredited by the Joint Commission. Our patients have access to state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive services to assist with recovery. Our neuro/trauma inpatient rehabilitation departments provide an opportunity to build connections with patients and families as we foster a healing environment.

+ 6E Brain Injury: 6E is an 18-bed Traumatic Brain Injury Unit. We are ranked 7 th in the nation by Newsweek. We specialize in providing a multidisciplinary approach to those recovering from traumatic brain injury and patients who have undergone a stroke and other neurological disorders. Our goal is assisting patients to achieve their highest level of function with a focus on discharging to home. Staff work hand in hand with the top-rated physiatrist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech and language pathologist, and discharge plan managers to provide comprehensive care. We are also home to a phenomenally successful DOC (disorders of consciousness) program, that focuses on rehabilitation for this unique population. Some educational opportunities include endotracheal tube management, feeding tube management, and behavior management.

+ 6F Stroke: 6F is a 24-bed Acute Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation Unit. We are ranked 7th in the nation by Newsweek. We specialize in providing a multidisciplinary care approach for patients from across all specialties, which include trauma, stroke, acute brain injuries, burns, as well as those with general debility. The Rehabilitation Institute at UPMC Mercy Hospital has been designated by the Joint Commission as a Gold Seal of Approval for health care quality and safety. Criteria for patients to be admitted to Inpatient Rehab includes the ability to tolerate 3 hours in combination of intense physical, occupational and speech therapy daily. We work closely and collaboratively as an interdisciplinary team to assist the patient to achieve their highest level of function and we have the honor of seeing the patient make significant progress in mobility and self-care so that they can function in the communities.

+ 7A General Rehab: A 14-bed general rehabilitation unit, our integrated rehabilitation team identifies the patient's priorities and creates a customized, comprehensive treatment plan focused on healing and helping the patient regain independence after orthopedic surgery.

+ 7E Spinal Cord Injury: 7E is a 20-bed Spinal Cord Injury Unit and one of the only 14 programs in the U.S. designated as a spinal cord injury model system. At UPMC Mercy Rehabilitation Institute, our team of SCI and spine disease experts helps patients regain their independence. We are an interdisciplinary team of nurses, therapists and doctors who are highly specialized to teach our patients how to become independent again. Our patient's length of stay is 2 -6 weeks, so we really get to know our patients.

The LPN is licensed to function as a member of the health-care team by exercising sound nursing judgment based on preparation, knowledge, experience in nursing and competency. The LPN participates in the planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care using focused assessment in settings where nursing takes place. An LPN shall communicate with a licensed professional nurse and the patient's health care team members to seek guidance when:

+ The patient's care needs exceed the licensed practical nursing scope of practice.

+ The patient's care needs surpass the LPN's knowledge, skill or ability.

+ The patient's condition deteriorates or there is a significant change in condition, the patient is not responding to therapy, the patient becomes unstable or the patient needs immediate assistance.

An LPN shall obtain instruction and supervision if implementing new or unfamiliar nursing practices or procedures. An LPN shall follow the written, established policies and procedures of UPMC, UPMC LPN Practice Guidelines and the State Practice Act.

Responsibilities:

+ Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.

+ Performs other duties as assigned.

+ Incorporates national professional organization as well as business unit and health system's goals to improve patient safety, quality and satisfaction of the patient experience in daily work.

+ Creates a caring and compassionate patient focused experience by building healing relationships with patients, families and colleagues.

+ Actively participates in unit activities and willing to provide assistance to care team members.

+ Provides detailed and appropriate teaching to patients and families to effectively guide them through the episode of care as well as transition to another level of care and/or home.

+ Demonstrates a passion for developing others by supporting the orientation and developing new LPNs and patient care support staff.

+ Regularly seeks feedback on performance and applies continuous professional improvement.

+ Supports continuous learning in the clinical areas by participating in organizational and system programs.

+ Identifies opportunities for clinical quality as well as workplace improvement.

+ Seeks and participates in opportunities to assist in identification process improvement opportunities to improve patient care.

+ Partners and collaborates with the health care team and the patients and families to achieve desired patient outcomes.

+ Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation and commitment to patients and colleagues.

+ Demonstrates an understanding of cultural differences and holds peers accountable for healthy relationships.

+ Maintains a conscious balance between work and personal life.

+ Models safe work hours, time management and healthy lifestyle.

+ Communicates with peers and management any safety hazards identified in the workplace.

+ Acts within the LPN Practice guidelines including IVs and within the framework of Relationship Based Care to create a healing environment.

+ Formulates daily goals and a plan of care for patients that involves the patient as partner and considers the individual needs of the patient in a holistic manner.

+ Communicates the patient's condition to other care providers.

+ Patient documentation is comprehensive and promotes communication between caregivers.

+ 0 - 2 years of experience.

+ Successful completion and graduation from a Licensed Practical Nursing Program approved by the State Board of Nursing.

+ Successful completion of an IV therapy curriculum required within 4 months of hire/transfer. Must commit to obtain within 4 months of hire/transfer within 30 days of start. If graduated in 2012 to present day, IV therapy curriculum is included in the PA State Board Approved Programs. If graduated prior to 2012, the LPN will need to provide official proof of completion of IV therapy approved program.

+ Must take nurse assignment at the top of LPN license in a med/surg/tele or Emergency Department setting.

+ 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.

+ Ability to identify process improvement opportunities to improve patient care and encompasses collaboration with the health care team and the patients and families to achieve desired patient outcomes.

+ Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients/families.

+ Ability to work productively and effectively within a complex environment, handle multiple/changing priorities and specialized equipment.

+ Mobility and visual manual dexterity.

+ Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting and positioning of patients.

+ Computer skills required to utilize the electronic health record.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

+ 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.

+ Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran