Cook County Health will seek to fill the positions by means of the Hiring Fair Process.

Note:  Onsite interviews will be held at 1950 West Polk Street - 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60612. The only opportunity to interview for this position will be on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. You must attend onsite at the Hiring Fair (and sit for an interview if qualified) to be considered for the position.

As a reminder, please apply & bring your resume, driver's license, and any applicable certifications

PLEASE BE ADVISED that this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between Cook County and the National Nurses Organizing Committee. Pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement, Cook County will exhaust internal eligible applicants prior to considering external applicants. Cook County is assembling a list of qualified candidates for this position that will be considered should the position not be filled with internal eligible applicants.

LOCATION: Cermak Health Services 2800 S. California

DEPT: Various Departments & Divisions

SHIFT: VARIOUS SHIFTS

SALARY: $57.803 HOURLY

Salary is commensurate with years of RN experience indicated at time of application submittal.  Experience not disclosed or documented at the time of application will not be considered for initial step placement.

JOB SUMMARY

NNOC MEMBERS

The In-House Registry Nurse provides professional nursing care to all patients/detainees of various ages utilizing the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation. Effectively interacts with patients/detainees, correctional offices, peers, department heads, physicians and a multi-disciplinary health team. Maintains standards of professional nursing. Utilizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills to effect positive patient outcomes. Practices within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act. 

Demonstrates accountability for leadership by directing, supervising and coordinating the activity of ambulatory and infirmary personnel, including the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and other nursing support staff assigned to the area. Responsible for offering constructive suggestions of the improvement of patient care, clinical management, interdepartmental relationships and health education of patients/detainees. Demonstrates flexibility and participates in environmental change. Demonstrates a leadership role in quality improvement and fiscal accountability.

TYPICAL DUTIES  

• Applies and documents all elements of the nursing process , through assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating the delivery of care for patients of all ages (evaluates patient outcomes).
• Utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure the highest quality of patient care.
• Uses critical thinking and clinical judgment throughout the decision making process.
• Delegate specific tasks to other care givers (LPN, other support staff) and assumes responsibility for all patient care.
• Works with patients, families and other healthcare workers as necessary to assist patients to their attainable level of wellness.
•  Fosters illness prevention through assessment of detainee Health Request Forms, assessment and triage of patients and focusing (promoting) patient education.
• Participates in division/unit meetings, unit/divisional decision making, cost containment and quality improvement activities.
• Supports the Department of Patient Care Services policies , procedures , and standards. Supports divisional/unit standards of practice and the Institutional Policies and Procedures.
• Assumes responsibility and for maintaining accountability, attendance and minimizing tardiness.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for maintaining a minimum of 12 (twelve) hours of in-service educat ion annually.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for acquiring and maintaining current knowledge of Correctional Standards .
• Assumes accountability for compliance and attendance at educational training.
• Assumes accountability and responsibility for maintaining current professional licensure, CPR, and other professional certification.
• Contributes and assists with the orientation of new personnel.
• Administers medications according to policies and practice standards. Utilizes knowledge of Pharmacology, patho-physiology, mathematics, therapeutic dosage, signs and symptoms, side effects in the administration of medications.
• Ensures medication passage to all assigned detainees, reports and documents refusals or omissions.
• Assumes responsibility for patient rounds both on units and tiers.
• Assesses patient need for health care services.
• Physical demands include lifting, standing and walking throughout 100 acre compound.
• Demonstrates professional behavior at all times.
• Assesses patient need for emergency care and initiates appropriate action.
• Demonstrates the ability to properly use emergency equipment.
• Facilitates patient transport from division/unit to the emergency room as appropriate.
• Provides supervision and support to LPN's and other support staff.
• Collaborates with physicians, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and all health care team members.
• Fosters collaborative relationship with correctional staff.
• Promotes positive customer relations through a congenial attitude and support for patients, visitors, physicians, correctional staff and other health care team members.
• Participates as requested on committees.
• Ensures consistency and compliance with established documentation policies.
• Maintains safety standards within the correctional environment.
• Maintains ethics and confidentiality.
• Presents a professional appearance in attitude, dress, communication and grooming.
• Fosters professional growth through goal setting and monitoring achievement at a minimum annually.
• Participates in process management in order to meet regulatory agency standards (National Commission on Correctional Healthcare, Joint Commission, OSHA, HIPAA and Corporate Compliance).
• Assumes responsibility for functioning of the unit and serves as a resource person for all unit personnel.
• unit problems and unit activity to House Nursing Supervisor when manager is not on duty.
• Manages assignments as necessary and informs personnel of changes.
• Assists personnel with priority setting and delegation of work for organized workflow.
• Collaborates with support systems for adequate supplies and equipment for continuity of care for current shift and oncoming shift.
• Makes patient rounds to evaluate patient needs, accomplished care and takes accountability for patient census and care needs.
• Assumes responsibility for implementation of physician's orders and nursing directives for patient's needs.
• Communicates unit activities to Nurse Manager.
• Arranges staffing for oncoming shift. Provides adequate report to charge nurse/manager. Provides adequate report to charge nurse/manager.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Illinois – required. 
• Current CPR card is required. (Must provide proof at time of interview)
• A minimum of one (1) year nursing experience is required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Active ACLS certification is preferred.
• A Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

• Knowledgeable of policy and procedures relating to infection control, safety, fire, external and internal disasters and other mandatory programs
• Knowledge of Medical Surgical Standards of Care
• Knowledge of skin and wound care
• Knowledge of hypertensive and their side effects
• Knowledge of care and management of the diabetic patient
• Knowledge of fluids and electrolytes
• Basic knowledge and understanding of routine labs
• Knowledge of Ambulatory Care standards
• Basic knowledge of nursing management of the oncological patient
• Basic knowledge of nursing management of the patient with respiratory disturbances , TB, asthma
• Knowledge of demonstrated skills in nursing management of renal patients
• Good physical assessment skills
• Basic knowledge of nursing management of the patients with head trauma and neurological disturbances
• Basic knowledge of nursing management of the patients with musculo-skeletal challenges
• Basic knowledge of nursing management of the patient requiring restorative care
• Competent skills in managing the patient requiring intravenous therapy
• Competent skills in acquiring venous access
• Competent skills in blood drawing
• Competent skills in point of care testing
• Demonstrated ability to inset and manage patients with naso-gastric tubes and digestive disturbances
• Ability to recognize and intervene with signs of hypo and hyperglycemia
• Ability to provide direct patient care to patients
• Ability to observe and collect data to facilitate patient assessment and nursing diagnosis from which a patient care plan is initiated
• Ability to provide written documentation regarding the patient care administered
• Ability to participate in team conferences, in-service presentations, staff meetings, patient care conferences and any other additional training related to patient care and/or management
• Ability to maintains inventory of medical supplies/equipment and prepares appropriate requisitions for the acquisition of same
• Ability to assist in maintaining appropriate records and logs concerning clinic services
• Ability to assist providers in various medical tasks, assist in any emergency situation
• Ability to perform basic interpretation of EKG

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, “Are you a Military Veteran?”
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing.  Please note:  If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date.  Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status.  Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable

OR

• A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver’s License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference 

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• 100% Tuition Reimbursement for nursing-related programs

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE).  Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview. 

*Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.

*CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor. 

COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER