Programmatic Nurse Specialist (RN) - NICU (UPMC Harrisburg)

Our level III, 42-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides specialized care for critically ill and premature infants, offering advanced respiratory support, surgical recovery, and complex medical management.  The unit is staffed by a dedicated team of neonatologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and support staff who work collaboratively to deliver high-quality, family-centered care.  With a strong emphasis on clinical excellence, innovation, and continuous learning, our NICU fosters a supportive environment where staff are empowered to grow and contribute to best practices in neonatal care.

Position Detail:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week, salaried position
• Work Schedule:
  • Monday - Friday, day shift
  • No weekends or holidays expected
• Experience in Level III/IV NICU preferred
• Previous experience in a highly matrixed, large system/organization preferred

Department Information:

• Work in a Level III, 42-bed NICU that provides cutting-edge care to critically ill and premature infants, a setting where your educational leadership directly supports life-saving work.
• Partner with neonatologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other specialists in a unit that values teamwork, communication, and shared learning.
• Be part of a unit that prioritizes continuing education, evidence-based practice, and mentorship. You'll have the opportunity to shape onboarding, training, and ongoing development for a passionate clinical team.
• Our NICU embraces new technologies, simulation-based learning, and quality improvement initiatives — giving educators the tools to drive meaningful change.
• Enjoy strong backing from leadership, access to educational tools, and the autonomy to design impactful learning experiences tailored to staff needs.
• Help cultivate a culture of clinical excellence and compassionate care in one of the most specialized and rewarding areas of pediatric medicine.

Purpose:
The Programmatic Nurse Specialist, a professional registered nurse, has the authority, responsibility and accountability for delivery of nursing care through the use of the nursing process. In collaboration with the health care team, the Programmatic Nurse Specialist applies expert clinical knowledge and skills to achieve quality patient outcomes.

Responsibilities:
 

• Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by building teams and relationships through mentoring and modeling uplifting and positive communication Extends trust by acknowledging the contributions of others; listens first, creates transparency in communications, confronts reality, and clarifies expectations. 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. Role models professional communication and encourages free exchange of ideas that serves as a catalyst for transformation. Perform related duties as required
• Receive feedback and direction constructively. Serve as a formal and informal mentor for new staff members and mentor new preceptors to be successful in their role. Serve as a resource/consultant for patients, nursing staff and other disciplines in area of specialty. Participate in self-review. Improve knowledge, skills and performance based on feedback or on self-identified developmental needs. Demonstrate a high level of initiative, work independently, and establish priorities to meet department and organizational goals. Participate in professional and community organizations. Supports educational needs assessments Present regionally and nationally in oral and written formats. Mentors others in professional skill development (coaching, feedback, crucial conversations, etc.)
• Demonstrate awareness of the impact of behavior on the efficient functioning of the department and organization. Responsible for guiding staff nurses to understand how to develop a plan of care that includes mutual and established goals with patient/family Assesses the need for an implements system or process improvements. Acts as a change agent to design, facilitate, monitor and evaluate program improvement initiatives As the expert clinician, is accountable and responsible for sharing that expertise with the nursing staff. Suggests and leads changes within the organization. Chairs service line or hospital-based committees. Participates in professional organizations. Takes a leading role in major hospital-wide projects. Assume responsibility for complex assignments and view problems as challenges. Chairs service line/hospital wide committees. Develops relationships with service/specialty physicians and other disciplines to promote and proactively instruct nursing personnel on newer therapies and procedures to enhance nursing care delivery. Leads healthcare team conferences
• Provides teaching and skill development to staff to ensure response to emergent situations and initiation of appropriate actions. Develops, coordinates and evaluates patient/family specialty education. Develops policy and practices relative to patient care and hospital related information. Assists staff members in their ability to work in a timely and efficient manner. Analyzes and disseminates current medical and nursing literature for utilization in the expansion and improvement of patient care outcomes. Seeks out appropriate healthcare team intervention. Communicates and rounds with interdisciplinary team to establish professional rapport and support plan of care
• Actively participates in department or practice-specific quality improvement efforts Assess the need for an implement an evidence-based system or process improvement to meet care delivery protocol outcomes. Works collaboratively with medical team to develop evidence-based care delivery models and protocols. Identifies opportunity for quality improvement to colleagues and management 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. Facilitates/mentors staff for projects/EBP/research activities Promotes best practice dissemination (presentations, publications, etc.)Participate in department-based Performance Improvement projects
• Utilize nursing process in teaching staff how to manage the care of patients including assessment, interdisciplinary planning, implementation, evaluation of patient care, teaching and discharge planning. Develops standards of nursing care and educates nursing staff on standards Collaborates with physician and care team to ensure quality patient care for patients across the service line/population. Through service line/specialty population, monitor and evaluate length of staff, readmission, return to ICU and system processes and throughput to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Models excellence in practice by acting as a facilitator and innovator for state-of-the art patient care. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team to ensure the appropriate use of care delivery protocols. Serves as a resource to nursing staff, faculty, students and other health care personnel in the acquisition of knowledge and skills related to patient care within specialty/population