LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE II - CERMAK

Cook County•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse delivers care to patients and detainees of all ages in an assigned unit or division under the direction of a Registered Nurse. Care is intended to help patients achieve an optimum level of health and follows the nursing practice process and Department of Patient Care Services standards. The role requires knowledge of department policies, procedures, standards, and safety plans; medication administration to a large number of detainees; observation for health problems; and timely intervention or reporting to a physician or Registered Nurse. The nurse supports the health services mission, maintains professional growth, and works cooperatively with Correctional Officers and the wider care team. This position is based at Cermak Health Services, Department of Corrections, in the Patient Care Services – Division 8 RTU. The listed shift is 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. The pay range is $28.393 per hour, and the position is represented by AFSCME 1111. Offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory professional and employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure and certifications, and successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited school of Practical Nursing.
Hold a current Illinois Practical Nurse license, or be able to obtain the license two weeks before starting employment.
Hold a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) card and provide documentation at the interview.
Provide proof of successful completion of Practical Nurse medication-administration (Pharmacology) coursework in accordance with Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requirements; documentation must be provided at the interview.
Thorough knowledge of nursing supplies, equipment, and medications administered.
Knowledge of basic nursing care principles, including measuring temperature, blood pressure, and respiration rate.
Knowledge of psychiatric disorders.
Strong knowledge of psychotropic drugs, including side effects, usage, and dosages.
Skill in using nursing equipment, such as a thermometer and wound-dressing supplies.
Competency in blood drawing and point-of-care testing.
Skill in accurately taking vital signs and recognizing variances.
Ability to understand instructions and communicate effectively with patients and hospital staff.
Ability to maintain accurate records and perform appropriately in a team-leader role.
Ability to collect pertinent data based on a patient's complaint.
Ability to formulate a diagnosis using the nursing process.
Ability to provide safe, accurate, and clinically competent direct care to detainees.
Ability to teach techniques or provide information according to an established program.
Ability to communicate information to patients and other healthcare disciplinary personnel.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of recent full-time paid clinical experience in an acute-care health facility or ambulatory-care facility.

Responsibilities

Provide and document nursing care for assigned patients, including treatments, dressings, tier rounds, health requests, medication administration, Foley catheter insertion, emergency care, and other policy-directed treatments.
Contribute to the nursing process through patient observation and documentation, implementation of care plans, and patient education in consultation with a Registered Nurse.
Notify the Charge Nurse, Nurse Coordinator, Supervisor, and physician promptly of changes in a patient's condition.
Assist patients with health education, health-related behavioral changes, obtaining a history, and access to healthcare.
Support unit and department health services policies and philosophy; review new policies and procedures, consult policy and procedure materials, and complete additional assignments as requested.
Maintain a professional appearance in attitude, dress, communication, and grooming.
Attend 12 hours of in-services annually and pursue professional growth through educational offerings.
Maintain CPR and nursing licensure and comply with mandatory certification programs for fire, safety, infection control, and other required offerings.
Assist with supervision of non-professional patient care providers and orientation of new personnel.
Respond appropriately to emergencies and initiate basic life support as required.
Make rounds on tiers and patient units, observe patients for potential healthcare needs, intervene and communicate appropriately, and assist patients in accessing care.
Document patient observations and interventions according to required documentation policy and format.
Take responsibility for personal safety and interact respectfully and cooperatively with Correctional Officers.
Administer medications according to nursing policy.
Help maintain a clean and safe environment by changing examination paper between visits, maintaining equipment, and ensuring exam rooms are clean and physically suitable for patient services.
Implement safe and therapeutic care and inspect emergency equipment and supplies according to policy.
Communicate effectively with the healthcare team, physicians, peers, nurses, educators, social workers, Correctional Officers, patients, and the public.
Read and initial communications and provide appropriate shift-to-shift reports.
Take and record vital signs and perform EKGs.
Practice Universal Precautions and participate in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).
Support Health Services mission goals and philosophy, maintain patient confidentiality, and demonstrate ethical practice.
Comply with standards of practice and all policies and procedures.
Administer wound-care irrigation and collect and transport laboratory specimens.
Maintain the crash cart, Cardiopulmonary equipment, and jump bag; notify the CMT office if the jump bag seal is missing.
Comply with existing CCDOC and DCSI security policies and procedures.
Participate in process management to meet regulatory agency standards, including those of the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare, JCAHO, OSHA, HIPPA, and Corporate Compliance.
Perform other duties as assigned.