CLINICAL NURSE I - CERMAK

Cook County•Chicago, IL

8d•$38 - $52•Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Nurse I provides professional nursing care to patients/detainees of various ages at Cermak Health Services, using the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. The nurse interacts with patients, correctional officers, physicians, peers, department heads, and the multidisciplinary health team; practices within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act; and applies critical thinking and problem-solving to support positive patient outcomes. The position includes leadership and accountability for directing, supervising, and coordinating ambulatory and infirmary personnel, including Licensed Practical Nurses and other assigned nursing support staff. The nurse contributes suggestions to improve patient care, clinical management, interdepartmental relationships, and patient health education, and participates in quality improvement and fiscal accountability. The role provides direct patient care and unit coordination in a correctional healthcare setting. Responsibilities include assessing and triaging patients, administering and documenting medications and treatments, responding to emergencies, coordinating care and staffing, maintaining records and supplies, and collaborating with clinicians and correctional staff. The position also requires maintaining professional licensure and certifications, completing required in-service education, following institutional and professional standards, and supporting regulatory compliance.

Requirements

Must be licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Illinois, or be able to obtain the license at least two weeks before starting employment.
Current CPR card; proof is required at the time of interview.
Knowledge of medical-surgical standards of care, ambulatory care standards, skin and wound care, hypertension and related side effects, diabetes care, fluids and electrolytes, routine laboratory tests, and nursing management of patients with oncological, respiratory, renal, neurological, musculoskeletal, and restorative-care needs.
Competence in intravenous therapy, obtaining venous access, blood drawing, point-of-care testing, and inserting and managing nasogastric tubes and patients with digestive disturbances.
Good physical assessment skills.
Ability to function safely and effectively in a correctional environment and maintain professional ethics and confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

One year of recent paid clinical experience, within the last three years, in acute care or an ambulatory facility.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
Drug or alcohol dependency experience or case management experience.
Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing.

Responsibilities

Apply and document all elements of the nursing process, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care for patients of all ages.
Use a multidisciplinary approach, critical thinking, and clinical judgment to support high-quality care and patient outcomes.
Delegate tasks to Licensed Practical Nurses and other support staff while retaining responsibility for patient care; supervise and support assigned personnel.
Assess and triage patients, including reviewing detainee Health Request Forms, conducting patient rounds, identifying healthcare needs, and promoting patient education and illness prevention.
Administer medications according to policy and practice standards; ensure medication passage and report and document refusals or omissions.
Assess patients’ need for emergency care, initiate appropriate action, use emergency equipment, assist providers in medical tasks, and facilitate transport to the emergency room when appropriate.
Collaborate with physicians, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, healthcare team members, correctional staff, and support systems to coordinate care and maintain continuity across shifts.
Coordinate unit operations, including making or adjusting assignments, supporting prioritization and delegation, arranging staffing for the oncoming shift, communicating unit activity, and reporting problems to the House Administrator when the Nurse Coordinator is not on duty.
Implement physician orders and nursing directives; provide direct patient care and written documentation of care administered.
Participate in team conferences, in-service presentations, staff meetings, patient care conferences, committees, and quality improvement, cost containment, and decision-making activities.
Maintain medical supply and equipment inventory, prepare requisitions, and assist with clinic records and logs.
Maintain accountability for attendance, punctuality, professional licensure and certifications, annual in-service education, and current knowledge of correctional standards.
Follow policies and procedures for infection control, safety, fire, disasters, confidentiality, ethics, and regulatory compliance.
Contribute to new-personnel orientation and foster professional growth through annual goal setting and monitoring.
Maintain a professional appearance and promote positive customer relations with patients, visitors, physicians, correctional staff, and healthcare team members.
Perform other duties as assigned.