CLINICAL NURSE I - CERMAK

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  (Dept of Corrections), 2800 S California Ave, Chicago, IL 60608

DEPARTMENT: Patient Care Services - Division 8 – 4th Floor

SHIFT: 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM

SALARY RANGE: $38.203 - $52.061 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                           UNION - NNOC

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 officers, 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. The Clinical Nurse I, demonstrates accountability for leadership by directing, supervising, and coordinating the activity of ambulatory and infirmary personnel, including the Licensed Practical Nurse 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 patient care.
• Uses critical thinking and clinical judgment throughout the decision-making process.
• Delegates 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, unity/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 education annually.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for acquiring and maintaining current knowledge of Correctional Standards.
• Knowledge of policy and procedures relating to infection control, safety, fire, external and internal disasters, and other mandatory programs. 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 assist 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. Assess patient need for health care services.
• Assesses patients 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 Licensed Practical Nurses and other support staff.
• Collaborates with physicians, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and all health care team members.
• Fosters collaborative relationships 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 own safety and those of others within the correctional environment.
• Maintains ethics and confidentiality.
• Presents a professional appearance in attitude, dress, communication and grooming.
• Fosters own 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, JCAHO, OSHA, HIPPA, and Corporate Compliance.)
• Assumes responsibility for functioning of the unit and serves as a resource person for all unity personnel.
• Reports unit problems and unity activity to House Administrator when Nurse Coordinator is not on duty.
• Makes and adjusts assignments if and 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 Coordinator.
• Arranges staffing for oncoming shift. Provides adequate reports to charge nurse/manager.
• Utilizes critical thinking, judgment, management principals and leadership skills.
• Provides direct patient care to patients.
• Observes and collects data to facilitate patient assessment and nursing diagnosis from which a patient care plan is initiated.
• Provides written documentation regarding the patient care administered.
• Participates in team conferences, in-service presentations, staff meetings, patient care conferences and other additional training related to patient care and/or management.
• Maintains inventory of medical supplies/equipment and prepares appropriate requisitions for the acquisition of same.
• Assists in maintaining appropriate records and logs concerning clinic services.
• Assists providers in various medical tasks, assist in any emergency situation.
• Other duties as assigned.