What are the responsibilities and job description for the Professional Staff Nurse, Outpatient (Orthopaedic Spine Associates) position at UPMC?
Orthopaedic Spine Associates is seeking a dedicated Professional Staff Nurse to support our busy outpatient practice located at 12680 Perry Highway, Wexford, PA 15090. This role follows a Monday–Friday schedule, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, with 7:30 AM start times on Wednesdays and Fridays to support clinic operations. The position requires regular travel to our partner clinic sites, including: Monroeville (2nd Tuesday of each month), New Castle (1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays), Sewickley (4th Wednesday), Wexford (every Friday), and Washington (2nd Wednesday). The nurse will participate in outpatient clinic 2–3 times per week, while also providing comprehensive back‑office support including patient phone triage, fax management, pre‑operative preparation, and surgery scheduling. This is an excellent opportunity for a nurse who thrives in a dynamic environment and enjoys building strong relationships with patients and multidisciplinary care teams.
Responsibilities:
- Actively participates in department or practice-specific quality improvement efforts. Identifies opportunity for quality improvement to colleagues and management. Takes personal responsibility in improving patient satisfaction with the quality of care and service. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to support improvement in clinical care: identifies research issues or articles related to clinical specialty or areas of interest
- 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.Good clinical judgment with critical thinking, analytical and problem solving abilities required as related to various aspects of patient care.Critical thinking skills necessary to exercise and to lead others in application of the nursing process.Mobility and visual manual dexterity. Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting and positioning of patients.
- Demonstrates knowledge of adult learning principles (and/or teaching children if applicable) and applies in teaching of patients, families, students and new staff. Provides detailed and appropriate teaching to patients and families to effectively guide them through the episode of care both in the office setting and via phone/written communication when at home. Supports the development of students, new staff and colleagues. Creates an environment of open dialogue, inquiry and continuous development by asking for feedback and improving practice.
- Formulates 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. Triages patient situations and coordinates care with physician.Assist physician with all aspects of patient care including assessment, evaluation and education.Demonstrates critical thinking in the identification of clinical, social, safety, psychological and spiritual issues for the patient care within an episode of care. Practices solid communication skills, and is able to articulate and translate the patient's condition to other care providers and to negotiate and make recommendations for changes in patient care and office practices. Patient documentation is comprehensive and promotes communication between caregivers. Incorporates national professional organization as well as business unit and health system's goals to improve patient safety, quality and satisfaction.Creates a caring and compassionate patient focused experience by building healing relationships with patients, families and colleagues.
- Demonstrates accountability for professional development that improves the quality of professional practice and the quality of patient care. Actively participates in practice-based shared governance, goal setting and supports the change and transition process to improve quality of care and the practice environment. Serves as a highly engaged and full partner on the care team and responds willingly to care team member needs for assistance and partnership. Participates in work that improves patient care and the professional practice environment.Adapts to change and demonstrates flexibility with the change process.
- 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.