OR Surgical Specialist

UPMC; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC Hamot is seeking a dedicated OR Surgical Specialist to join our team. This full-time role supports one or more surgical service lines and leads clinical practice in the OR.

The position features four 10-hour day shifts (typically Monday–Friday) with on-call and holiday requirements, opportunities to mentor staff, and collaboration with clinicians to improve patient care and safety.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of professional nursing experience.
• BSN preferred.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and guidance within surgical service lines.
• Promote patient safety and quality improvement in the OR.
• Collaborate with clinicians and supply chain to ensure equipment and supplies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Critical thinking

Mentorship

Clinical expertise

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

RN license in PA

Job description

OR Surgical Specialist – Full-Time | UPMC Hamot

UPMC Hamot is seeking a dedicated Operating Room (OR) Surgical Specialist to join our team!

This full-time role consists of four 10-hour day shifts (typically Monday-Friday), day off opposite the assigned Clinician, and includes on-call and holiday requirements.

Each OR Surgical Specialist will assist with one of the following surgical service groupings:

• General, Robotics, Colorectal, Urology, Renal Transplant
• Cardiovascular, Thoracic, Vascular

The OR Surgical Specialist will serve as an informal leader in the department, providing support to the Clinicians and designated service lines.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Professional Practice

• Serves as a role model of professional nursing practice and a recognized leader in one or more areas: clinical expertise, education, resource specialization, and evidence-based practice.
• Provides constructive feedback to healthcare team members and actively participates in nursing peer review, including evaluation of core surgical specialty team performance.
• Promotes and leads change initiatives that enhance patient care quality and the OR environment.
• Demonstrates advanced clinical assessment and analytical skills within the framework of Relationship-Based Care.
• Participates in shared governance at the unit level and contributes to hospital-wide councils.

Quality Improvement & Innovation

• Identifies opportunities for clinical quality improvement, cost-effective supply management, and workplace enhancements.
• Applies evidence-based practices consistently and leads or participates in teams that implement innovations in patient care and workforce well-being.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration and respect, addressing issues such as horizontal violence and impairment.
• Maintains a healthy work-life balance through effective prioritization and delegation.

Education & Mentorship

• Demonstrates a passion for developing others by precepting students, graduate nurses, and new hires.
• Identifies learning opportunities to improve clinical and behavioral practices.
• Actively seeks performance feedback and engages in continuous professional development.
• Supports ongoing learning by sharing research, presenting educational materials, and facilitating journal clubs.

Patient Care & Communication

• Applies the nursing process to create a healing environment, utilizing strong communication skills to advocate for patient needs and coordinate care.
• Maintains comprehensive documentation that supports effective communication among caregivers.
• Demonstrates critical thinking in identifying and addressing clinical, social, psychological, and spiritual needs.
• Aligns daily practice with national professional standards and organizational goals to improve patient safety, quality, and satisfaction.

OR Specialty Team Leadership

• Demonstrates expert knowledge of the OR environment, equipment, and procedures.
• Leads service line specialty teams, which may span multiple specialties based on volume and complexity.
• Ensures availability of appropriate vendor trays, instrumentation, implants, and specialty products.
• Enforces compliance with approved vendor and product use policies; reports violations to the OR Nurse Manager.
• Participates in the Value Analysis Team (VAT) process.
• Educates staff on service line-specific equipment and updates.
• Supports onboarding and evaluation of new service line staff.
• Coordinates with Supply Chain Management to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date preference cards.
• Performs charge nurse duties and manages service line operations in the absence of the clinician.

Additional Responsibilities

• Performs scrub role (required for RNs hired on or after July 1, 2023).
• Participates in at least one department or hospital committee.
• Demonstrates understanding of departmental fiscal responsibilities.
• Contributes to decision-making regarding surgical equipment, instruments, and supply acquisition.
• Collaborates in developing surgical budgetary requirements.
• Organizes and coordinates effective use of personnel and materials.
• Develops and delivers continuing education topics and courses.

• Minimum Experience: 4 years of professional nursing experience required.
• Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Professional Development:
  • Annual completion of a professional contribution aligned with department, hospital, or system goals, as approved by the Unit Director.
  • One of the following must be obtained within 1 year of hire/transfer and maintained thereafter:
    • UPMC-approved nursing certification
    • Certification from the UPMC Wolff Learning Academy Center for Nursing Excellence
    • Master's degree in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
    • If a BSN is held, a Master's degree in a related field may substitute for certification.

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive, compassionate relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary/support staff, other departments, and patients/families.
• Proven effectiveness in navigating complex environments, managing multiple and shifting priorities, and operating specialized equipment.
• Exemplary clinical judgment, critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills relevant to patient care.
• Strong leadership in applying and guiding others through the nursing process.
• Physical capabilities including mobility, visual/manual dexterity, and stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting, and patient positioning.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

• Required Certifications:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) - must meet AHA standards, including both didactic and skills demonstration components, completed within 30 days of hire.
  • Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of employment or a multistate license under the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC).
  • Employees who relocate to the state where the facility is located must obtain state licensure within 60 days of residency change.
• Clearances:
  • Act 33 with renewal
  • Act 34
  • Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran