Registered Nurse

T14 Surgical Trauma/Medical Oncology & Palliative Care

0.9, full-time, days and evenings with rotating weekends & holidays (36 hrs/week)

Union position: SEIU

Posted: 5/19/2026

UPMC Altoona is seeking a full-time Registered Nurse or Graduate Nurse to join our Surgical Trauma/Medical Oncology & Palliative Care team! This position will work rotating day and evening shifts, including rotating weekends and holidays.

Take advantage of the opportunity to provide Life Changing Medicine to our patients, as you work alongside an interdisciplinary team of world-class medical professionals. You'll have access to a defined career ladder to help you grow and develop your skill set, continued learning and development opportunities, a premier benefits package to support you and your family, and resources to help you balance the most important things in life.

Future Graduates & experienced Registered Nurses are encouraged to apply – future GNs can apply up to 1 year in advance of graduation.

Compensation: We offer competitive starting pay, with rates that reflect your nursing education and professional experience. UPMC Altoona RNs benefit from newly enhanced pay, with starting rates increasing by $4/hour, plus an additional $2 shift differential.*

Minimum starting pay rates:

• $35.50 (BSN)
• $34.00 (non-BSN)
• Your title and salary will be determined based upon education and nursing experience.

Generous Sign-On Bonus for nurses:

• $20,000 sign-on bonus available for nurses with 1 or more years of experience. 
• $15,000 sign-on bonus available for nurses with less than 1 year of experience. 
• Candidates hired into a sign-on bonus eligible role will be asked to make a two-year work commitment.

UPMC’s Monthly Loan Repayment program:  

• UPMC’s Monthly Loan Repayment program, for eligible nursing graduates, offering $15,000 in loan repayment paid over three years

As a member of this team, you will provide direct and indirect care to patients utilizing the nursing process. You will also provide leadership for the nursing team and contribute to the education of a variety of members of the staff and students.

About Tower 14 - Surgical Trauma/Medical Oncology & Palliative Care

Tower 14 front: Surgical/Trauma is a fast paced, 23-bed unit specializing in the care of post-surgical adults and low acuity trauma patients. Our unit specializes in caring for patients who have undergone a wide range of abdominal surgeries, as well as general medical cases such as sepsis, renal insufficiency, respiratory conditions, pancreatitis, and a variety acute and chronic illnesses. Tower 14 is also able to provide medical telemetry monitoring for those patients who require this type of care.

Tower 14 back: Medical Oncology & Palliative Care is an 18-bed medical telemetry unit that provides specialized care to both oncology and palliative care patients. There are 5 palliative care suites to accommodate our patients with palliative care needs. Nurses are trained and certified to administer chemotherapy and provide care to patients who may require telemetry monitoring, require neutropenic precautions, and numerous other conditions. Each plan of care for our patients is tailored to meet each of their unique care needs.

Responsibilities:

Patient Care

• Provide Direct Care: Use nursing protocols and standards to perform and document procedures safely and accurately. Administer medications and IV therapy following policy.
• Assess and Reassess: Evaluate and document patient and family needs. Reassess patients every eight hours or as needed.
• Plan Care: Involve patients and families in creating care plans. Prioritize needs, conduct care conferences, and maintain up-to-date care plans. Coordinate with community agencies and other professionals.

Coordination and Communication

• Engage in Team Discussions: Work with medical staff and other professionals to discuss and develop patient care plans.
• Utilize Systems: Use Bed Management System, Alpha, CPOE, and other relevant computer systems efficiently.

Education and Leadership

• Teach and Educate: Initiate health teaching for patients and families based on their needs. Contribute to the education of staff and students.
• Consult and Lead: Offer guidance and support to other healthcare team members. Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions.

Safety and Compliance

• Follow Precautions: Adhere to universal precautions and occupational exposure policies. Identify and address potential problems and environmental factors affecting patient care.
• Maintain Competency: Complete annual competency validation and stay proficient in point-of-care testing as per lab criteria. 

Education and Formal Training Required: 

• Must hold a current license to practice nursing in the State of Pennsylvania; must satisfactorily complete the Nursing Department's orientation program and probationary period. 
• Must complete NIHSS education prior to end of orientation period, if required.
• When assigned to STICU, T14-Surgical, T11, 5E, SPCU: 
  • Must complete the Trauma Nurse Course within one year of hire. 
  • Must maintain six stroke and six trauma competencies per year. 
  • Must attend Trauma Symposium yearly.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Act 34

*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