CLINICAL NURSE I - CERMAK

Cook County•Chicago, IL

9h•$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 role interacts with patients/detainees, correctional officers, colleagues, department heads, physicians, and the multidisciplinary health team, and applies critical thinking and problem-solving to support positive patient outcomes while practicing within the scope of the Illinois Nurse Practice Act. The position demonstrates leadership by directing, supervising, and coordinating ambulatory and infirmary personnel, including Licensed Practical Nurses and nursing support staff. It contributes suggestions to improve patient care, clinical management, interdepartmental relationships, and patient health education, and participates in quality improvement, fiscal accountability, and workplace change. The nurse also maintains professional standards, current licensure and certifications, required education, and compliance with correctional and institutional policies. This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between Cook County and the National Nurses Organizing Committee. Cook County will consider internal eligible applicants before external applicants and is assembling a list of qualified candidates in case the position is not filled internally. The stated shift is 3:00 PM–11:30 PM. The hourly salary range is $38.203–$52.061, commensurate with documented RN experience at the time of application.

Requirements

Must hold a Registered Professional Nurse license in Illinois, or be able to obtain one at least two weeks before starting employment.
Current CPR card; proof must be provided at the interview.
Knowledge of medical-surgical standards of care, skin and wound care, hypertension and related side effects, diabetes care, fluids and electrolytes, routine laboratory tests, and ambulatory care standards.
Knowledge of nursing management for oncology patients, patients with respiratory disturbances including TB and asthma, renal patients, patients with head trauma or neurological disturbances, patients with musculoskeletal challenges, and patients requiring restorative care.
Good physical assessment skills.
Competence in managing patients requiring intravenous therapy, acquiring venous access, blood drawing, and point-of-care testing.
Ability to insert and manage nasogastric tubes and care for patients with digestive disturbances.

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/alcohol dependency 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 patient care and outcomes.
Use a multidisciplinary approach, critical thinking, and clinical judgment to provide quality care and make care decisions.
Delegate tasks to LPNs and other support staff and remain accountable for patient care.
Work with patients, families, and healthcare workers to support patients in reaching their attainable level of wellness.
Assess detainee Health Request Forms, triage patients, promote patient education, and support illness prevention.
Participate in division and unit meetings, decision-making, cost containment, quality improvement, committees, team conferences, staff meetings, and patient care conferences as requested.
Support patient-care policies, procedures, standards of practice, and institutional policies.
Maintain attendance and punctuality, complete at least 12 hours of annual in-service education, maintain current knowledge of correctional standards, and attend required training.
Maintain current professional licensure, CPR, and other required professional certifications.
Contribute to orientation of new personnel.
Administer medications according to policy and practice standards; ensure medication passage and document refusals or omissions.
Conduct patient rounds on units and tiers and assess needs for healthcare services and emergency care.
Use emergency equipment appropriately and facilitate transport to the emergency room when indicated.
Supervise and support LPNs and other nursing support staff, and collaborate with physicians, emergency responders, correctional staff, and other healthcare team members.
Promote positive customer relations and maintain professional conduct, ethics, confidentiality, and safety in the correctional environment.
Support regulatory compliance and process management, including requirements associated with correctional healthcare, accreditation, workplace safety, privacy, and corporate compliance.
Serve as a resource for unit personnel; report unit issues and activities to the House Administrator when the Nurse Coordinator is not on duty; communicate unit activities to the Nurse Coordinator.
Make or adjust assignments as needed, assist personnel with prioritization and delegation, arrange staffing for the oncoming shift, and provide reports to the charge nurse or manager.
Coordinate supplies and equipment with support systems to ensure continuity of care across shifts.
Evaluate patient needs and care delivered, maintain accountability for patient census and care needs, and implement physician orders and nursing directives.
Provide direct patient care, gather assessment data to support nursing diagnoses and care plans, and document care in writing.
Maintain medical supply and equipment inventory, prepare requisitions, and assist with clinic records and logs.
Assist providers with medical tasks and respond to emergency situations.
Pursue professional growth through annual goal setting and monitoring.
Perform other duties as assigned.