Unit Director

Lead with purpose and make a difference. UPMC Altoona is hiring a Unit Director to oversee our PACU, Surgical Pre-Testing, and Endoscopy Departments!

• Prior leadership experience & an active Registered Nursing license are required for this role.

As a Unit Director, you'll provide leadership and oversight for a patient care area, ensuring exceptional experiences for both patients and employees. In this role, you'll guide clinical operations, quality improvement efforts, staffing, and financial performance while fostering a positive, collaborative work environment.

Working closely with physicians and interdisciplinary teams, you'll help drive patient outcomes, support shared governance initiatives, and promote a culture of safety, professional growth, and continuous improvement. You'll also play a key role in recruiting, developing, and mentoring team members, ensuring employees have the resources and support they need to succeed while delivering outstanding patient care.

Generous Sign-On Bonus: Sign-on bonus of $15,000 available for eligible candidates who commit to a two-year work agreement.

Responsibilities:

Clinical Quality & Patient Care Leadership

• Lead quality improvement and patient safety initiatives by monitoring patient outcomes, quality metrics, and departmental performance indicators.
• Collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to establish clinical priorities and implement evidence-based practices that improve patient care.
• Analyze patient and employee satisfaction data, develop action plans, and share successful practices across departments and the organization.
• Foster a patient-centered culture that supports clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, and Relationship-Based Care principles.
• Ensure nursing practice aligns with organizational, professional, and regulatory standards.

Leadership, Team Development & Culture

• Build and sustain a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment through effective communication, mentoring, and relationship building.
• Coach and develop staff and leaders, including direct-report clinicians, to strengthen leadership skills, accountability, and professional growth.
• Address conflict, workplace concerns, cultural diversity, impairment, and employee well-being in a timely and constructive manner.
• Create individualized development plans and promote continuing education, specialty certification, and lifelong learning opportunities.
• Foster a supportive learning environment for students, new nurses, and team members while helping attract and retain top talent.

Shared Governance & Change Leadership

• Partner with staff and key stakeholders to develop and advance the department's vision, goals, and strategic initiatives.
• Support shared governance through professional practice councils and employee feedback to drive improvements in care delivery, nursing practice, and the work environment.
• Lead and support organizational change initiatives by engaging stakeholders, facilitating collaboration, and helping teams navigate transition effectively.
• Represent the department through participation in professional organizations, committees, and advocacy efforts.

Operations & Financial Management

• Establish operational, financial, and workforce priorities aligned with organizational goals.
• Manage departmental budgets and resources responsibly, ensuring efficient staffing and effective utilization of personnel and supplies.
• Develop schedules that support patient care needs, employee well-being, and safe staffing practices.
• Use financial, operational, and quality data to guide decision-making and achieve departmental objectives.

Talent Management & Workforce Development

• Lead recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and competency validation for direct care providers and staff.

• Ensure employees maintain required knowledge, skills, and competencies while identifying and addressing development opportunities.

• Support performance management activities, including coaching, evaluations, succession planning, recruitment, and difficult conversations.

• Create a best-practice environment that encourages innovation, inquiry, professional advancement, and excellence in patient care.

• Minimum of 4 years of progressive leadership experience required; relevant clinical leadership experience preferred.

• BS/BSN required at time of hire and master's degree/MSN required If BS degree not in nursing

• Master's or higher degree in Nursing is required.

• If Master's degree not in nursing, a BSN is required.

• If the master's degree/MSN is not present at time of hire, must be enrolled in a Master's or MSN program within one year of hire/transfer date and completed within three years of enrollment.

• Demonstrated understanding of patient care needs across the lifespan and the ability to support age-appropriate, patient-centered care.

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to evaluate clinical operations, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop effective solutions.

• Proven ability to lead, develop, and mentor high-performing teams while maintaining professional nursing standards and regulatory compliance.

• Experience establishing performance expectations, fostering accountability, and driving continuous improvement.

• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, and conflict-resolution skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with patients, families, physicians, staff, and senior leadership.

• Ability to build a positive, team-oriented culture that supports employee engagement, professional growth, and exceptional patient care.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in practicing state.*

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS

• Basic Life Support (BLS

• NIH Stroke Scale (NIH

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS

• 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