Clinical Nurse - Cermak

Location: Cermak Health Services (Dept of Corrections), 2800 S California Ave, Chicago, IL 60608

Department: Patient Care Services - RTU 5

Shift: 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM

Salary Range: $38.203 - $52.061 Hourly (based on years of RN experience)

Provides professional nursing care to all patients/detainees of various ages utilizing the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. Engages with patients/detainees, correctional officers, peers, department heads, physicians, and a multidisciplinary health team. Maintains standards of professional nursing, practices within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act, and uses critical thinking and problem‑solving skills to effect positive patient outcomes.

• Applies and documents all elements of the nursing process for patients of all ages.
• Utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure the highest quality patient care.
• Uses critical thinking and clinical judgment throughout the decision‑making process.
• Delegates specific tasks to other care givers (LPN, support staff) and assumes responsibility for all patient care.
• Works with patients, families, and other healthcare workers to assist patients to an attainable level of wellness.
• Prevents illness through assessment of Health Request Forms, assessment and triage of patients, and promoting patient education.
• Participates in division/unit meetings, cost containment, and quality improvement activities.
• Supports Department of Patient Care Services policies, procedures, and standards.
• Maintains accountability for attendance, minimizing tardiness, and in‑service education (minimum 12 hours per year).
• Maintains current knowledge of Correctional Standards and required compliance training.
• Maintains current licensure, CPR, and other professional certifications.
• Assists with orientation of new personnel.
• Administers medications according to policies and practice standards and documents refusals or omissions.
• Conducts patient rounds and assesses need for health care services.
• Assesses need for emergency care and initiates appropriate action.
• Uses emergency equipment and facilitates patient transport to the emergency room as needed.
• Provides supervision and support to Licensed Practical Nurses and other support staff.
• Collaborates with physicians, EMTs, paramedics, and other health‑care team members.
• Promotes positive customer relations with patients, visitors, physicians, correctional staff, and other health‑care team members.
• Participates in committees as requested.
• Ensures consistency and compliance with established documentation policies.
• Maintains personal and unit safety within the correctional environment.
• Maintains ethics and confidentiality.
• Maintains a professional appearance in attitude, dress, communication, and grooming.
• Fosters professional growth through goal setting and monitoring achievement.
• Participates in process management to meet regulatory agency standards (National Commission on Correctional Healthcare, JCAHO, OSHA, HIPAA, Corporate Compliance).
• Assumes responsibility for unit functioning and serves as a resource for all personnel.
• Reports unit problems to the House Administrator when the Nurse Coordinator is not on duty.
• Adjusts assignments and informs personnel of changes.
• Assists personnel with priority setting and delegation for organized workflow.
• Collaborates with support systems for adequate supplies and equipment for continuity of care.
• Conducts patient rounds, evaluates care, and takes accountability for patient census and needs.
• Implements physicians’ orders and nursing directives for patient needs.
• Communicates unit activities to the Nurse Coordinator.
• Arranges staffing for the upcoming shift and provides adequate reports to charge nurse/manager.
• Employs critical thinking, judgement, management principles, and leadership skills.
• Provides direct patient care and observes & collects data to facilitate patient assessment and nursing diagnosis.
• Documents patient care in writing.
• Participates in team conferences, in‑service presentations, staff meetings, and other training related to patient care and management.
• Maintains inventory of medical supplies/equipment and prepares…