CLINICAL NURSE I - MEDICAL/SURGICAL 6E

Cook County•Chicago, IL

1d•$38 - $52•Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Nurse I is a professional care worker responsible and accountable for providing and coordinating safe, effective, individualized nursing care to critically ill patients and supportive care to significant others. The nurse assesses patient needs and pain and implements and evaluates nursing care according to established standards, applying scientific nursing principles, problem-solving, and teaching and learning practices. The position is assigned to the 6 East medical/surgical and telemetry unit at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital. The unit serves adult and geriatric patients and provides holistic care to promote, restore, and maintain health within the capabilities of hospital staff and facilities. Services may include medical treatments and consultations in specialties such as cardiac care, GI, infectious disease, neurology, oncology, renal, or respiratory care. Services are provided in a caring and compassionate manner. This position works 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., 36 hours per week and 72 hours per pay period. It is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between Cook County and the National Nurses Organizing Committee. Cook County will first consider eligible internal applicants; external candidates may be considered if the position is not filled internally.

Requirements

Be licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois, or be able to obtain the license two weeks before starting employment; provide proof at interview if already licensed.
Hold active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, or be able to obtain it within two weeks of starting employment; provide proof at interview if already certified.
Knowledge of medical/surgical equipment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills to communicate with staff at all levels and with patients of diverse cultures and age groups.
Emergency response skills.
Accurate mathematical skills for calculating medication levels using factors such as weight and age.
Ability to apply the nursing process and use technical skills for patient care delivery.
Ability to make decisions under pressure.
Ability to see and hear clearly, including with correction; distinguish regular and high-pitched sounds and discriminate the source of sounds.
Ability to demonstrate rapid physical and mental coordination.
Ability to use both legs, hands, and fingers.
Attention to detail, accuracy, and precision.
Knowledge of the rationale for safe equipment use.
Ability to effectively use the nursing process as the basis for patient care delivery.
Knowledge of current forms and reports required for day-to-day unit operations.
Responsibility for professional growth and development to maintain competency in nursing practice.
Adhere to hospital and department safety requirements, including personal protective equipment, handwashing and sanitizing practices, engineering and work-practice controls, and other specified precautions.

Nice To Haves

One to five years of acute care experience.
CMSRN certification or another specialty certification.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.

Responsibilities

Identify, plan, and provide care for patients’ total needs, considering the age-specific needs of patients in the assigned area.
Perform initial and ongoing assessments and data collection, including biophysical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, educational, and discharge-planning factors.
Formulate individualized plans of care based on assessed needs, desired outcomes, and age-related requirements.
Implement care knowledgeably, skillfully, and safely according to established patient-care and nursing-practice standards.
Evaluate the effectiveness of care and revise interventions as appropriate.
Document nursing assessments, treatments, medications, tolerance to procedures, changes in condition, interventions, and patient outcomes.
Develop, implement, and evaluate educational services and programs for patients.
Make appropriate and timely decisions in crisis or emergency situations.
Perform and/or direct cardiopulmonary resuscitation activities.
Safely operate equipment necessary for patient care in assigned clinical areas.
Work and communicate effectively with a variety of individuals.
Provide general direction, guidance, and coordination of patient care delivered by other levels of nursing staff.
Apply knowledge of standard operating policies and procedures.
Demonstrate awareness of patient and family rights and ethical and legal issues.
Participate in staff orientation and unit staff-development activities.
Maintain responsibility and accountability for professional practice, growth, and development.
Perform other duties as assigned.