Clinical Nurse I - Cermak

Cook County Government•Chicago, CA

3d•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 works with patients, correctional officers, physicians, peers, department heads, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams; practices within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act; and uses critical thinking and problem-solving to support positive patient outcomes. This union position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between Cook County and the National Nurses Organizing Committee. The listed shift is 3:00 PM–11:30 PM, and the hourly salary range is $38.203–$52.061, commensurate with documented RN experience at application. The role includes leadership and coordination of ambulatory and infirmary personnel, including Licensed Practical Nurses and nursing support staff. The Clinical Nurse I contributes to improving patient care, clinical management, interdepartmental relationships, and patient education; participates in quality improvement and fiscal accountability; and supports applicable department, divisional, institutional, and regulatory standards. The position is located at Cermak Health Services (Department of Corrections), 2800 S California Ave, Chicago, IL 60608, in Patient Care Services – RTU 5. The nurse provides direct patient care, administers medications, conducts patient rounds and assessments, responds to emergencies, documents care, implements provider orders, and coordinates patient transport when appropriate. The role also includes staff supervision and delegation, shift coordination and reporting, supply and equipment oversight, participation in meetings and training, and maintaining current licensure, certifications, and correctional-care knowledge.

Requirements

Must hold a Registered Professional Nurse license in Illinois, or have the ability to obtain one at least two weeks before starting employment.
Current CPR card is required; proof must be provided at interview.
Must meet all required qualifications at the time of application filing.

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.
Knowledge of Medical Surgical Standards of Care, skin and wound care, hypertension and medication side effects, diabetic care, fluids and electrolytes, routine laboratory tests, ambulatory-care standards, oncology care, respiratory disturbances including TB and asthma, renal care, head trauma and neurological disturbances, musculoskeletal challenges, and restorative care.
Good physical assessment skills.
Competence in intravenous therapy, venous access, blood drawing, and point-of-care testing.
Ability to insert and manage nasogastric tubes and patients with digestive disturbances.

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 support quality care and patient decision-making.
Delegate tasks to LPNs and other caregivers while retaining responsibility for patient care; supervise and support nursing and other support staff.
Work with patients, families, and healthcare workers to support patients' attainable level of wellness.
Promote illness prevention by reviewing detainee Health Request Forms, assessing and triaging patients, and providing patient education.
Participate in unit and division meetings, decision-making, cost-containment efforts, quality-improvement activities, committees, team conferences, staff meetings, in-service presentations, and relevant training.
Follow Patient Care Services policies and procedures, divisional and institutional standards, and applicable regulatory and correctional-care requirements.
Maintain accountability for attendance and punctuality; complete at least 12 hours of in-service education annually and attend required educational training.
Maintain current professional licensure, CPR, and other required professional certifications, and maintain current knowledge of Correctional Standards and mandatory safety and infection-control programs.
Contribute to the orientation of new personnel.
Administer medications according to policies and practice standards; use pharmacology, pathophysiology, mathematics, therapeutic dosage, and knowledge of symptoms and side effects; ensure medication passage and document refusals or omissions.
Conduct patient rounds on units and tiers; assess healthcare needs, identify emergency-care needs, take appropriate action, use emergency equipment, and facilitate transport to the emergency room when appropriate.
Collaborate with physicians, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, healthcare team members, and correctional staff; promote positive customer relations.
Maintain consistent and compliant documentation, ethical conduct, confidentiality, professional presentation, and personal and environmental safety.
Set and monitor professional-growth goals at least annually and participate in process management to meet applicable regulatory standards.
Assume responsibility for unit functioning; serve as a resource person; report unit problems and activity to the House Administrator when the Nurse Coordinator is not on duty; and communicate unit activity to the Nurse Coordinator.
Make and adjust assignments as needed, inform personnel of changes, assist with prioritization and delegation, arrange staffing for the oncoming shift, and provide adequate reports to the charge nurse or manager.
Collaborate with support systems to maintain adequate supplies and equipment for continuity of care across shifts.
Evaluate patient needs and completed care during rounds and maintain accountability for patient census and care needs.
Implement physician orders and nursing directives; provide direct care; collect assessment data; initiate patient care plans; and document care administered.
Maintain medical-supply and equipment inventory, prepare requisitions, and assist with records and logs concerning clinic services.
Assist providers with medical tasks and assist during emergency situations.
Perform other duties as assigned.