Clinical Nurse I - Medical/Surgical - 6S

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.

To provide ongoing professional, holistic, and consistent patient centered care to patients experiencing acute and chronic medical and surgical conditions by trained and competent staff according to their job descriptions. A multidisciplinary care approach is implemented to provide the highest standards of nursing care for the medical management of a patient's disease condition for health promotion and maintenance. A safe and therapeutic care environment is provided to the patients for optimal healing, recovery and restoration of functioning and prevention of complications. Opportunities for patient and family education are utilized to improve self-management of symptoms, to encourage follow up care and enhance the quality of life. All health care members of the team collaborate and coordinate care services to reduce the patient's length of stay and improve care outcomes. The nursing staff renders individualized care to all patients admitted for illness, surgical interventions, diagnostic testing, and observation.

Patient care is staffed with a highly skilled and efficient nurse manager, charge nurse, registered nurses, health advocates, patient sitters, and a unit clerk. Staffing needs are based according to patient acuity and unit census and the normal staffing ratio is 1:5. Charge nurses are assigned patients, usually less based on the availability of staff and they are responsible for leading safety huddles, preparing staffing assignment, participating in the interdisciplinary care rounds with physicians, social worker and case manager, conducting safety checks and environment of care rounds, and coordinating admission, transfer and discharge process within the unit. The nursing staff reports to the Nurse manager who works collaboratively with the Director of Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer. Nurse Manager also determines scheduling needs for extra shifts/Overtime, evaluates the performance of the staff and ensures staff is providing quality patient care.

LOCATION: John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital (Medical/Surgical- General Medicine/Oncology Unit 6S)

SHIFT: 7:00 A.M.- 7:30 P.M. (36 hours a week/72 hours a pay period)

SALARY: $38.203 - $52.061 Hourly

Salary is commensurate with years of 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 Title Department

Clinical Nurse I Nursing (Med/Surg)

JOB SUMMARY

The Clinical Nurse I is a professional care worker who is responsible and accountable for providing and coordinating safe, effective individualized nursing care to critically ill patients and supportive care to significant others. Assess patient's needs and pain, implements, and evaluates nursing care according to established standards. These activities require nursing judgment based on application of scientific principles of nursing, problem solving, and teaching/learning.

Typical Duties

• Identifies, plans, and cares for the total needs of patients taking into consideration the age specific needs of patients served in assigned area of responsibility.
• Performs initial and ongoing assessment/data collection that includes consideration of biophysical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, educational and discharge planning factors in a systematic manner.
• Formulates an individualized plan of care based on patient's assessed needs, desired outcome and consideration of age related requirements.
• Implements care in knowledgeable, skillful and a safe manner based on established patient and nursing practice standards.
• Evaluates effectiveness of care and revise interventions as appropriate.
• Documents all nursing assessments, treatments, medications, tolerance to procedures, changes in condition, intervention and patient outcomes.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates educational services/programs for patients.
• Makes appropriate and timely decisions in a crisis or emergency situation.
• Performs and/or directs cardio-pulmonary resuscitation activities.
• Operates equipment safely and necessary for providing patient care in assigned clinical areas.
• Works and communicates effectively with a variety of individuals.
• Provides general direction, guidance and coordination of patient care given by other levels of nursing staff.
• Applies knowledge of standard operating policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates awareness of patient/family rights and ethical/legal issues.
• Participates in staff orientation and staff development activities for the unit.
• Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for professional practice, growth and development.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois or ability to obtain license two (2) weeks prior to starting employment is required. (Must provide proof at time of interview if already obtained)
• Active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or able to obtain one within two (2) weeks of starting, is required. (Must provide proof at time of interview if already obtained)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• One (1) to five (5) years of acute care experience is preferred.
• CMSRN certification or other specialty certification is preferred.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Knowledge of using medical/surgical equipment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groups
• Emergency response skills
• Accurate mathematical skills to calculate medications levels using weight, age, etc.
• Ability to apply the nursing process and utilize technical skills for patient care delivery
• Ability to make decisions under pressure
• Ability to see and hear clearly (including with correction)
• Ability to distinguish regular/high pitched sounds; discriminate source of sound
• Ability to demonstrate rapid physical/mental coordination
• Ability to use both legs, hands, and fingers
• Demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and precision
• Demonstrates knowledge of and rationale for the safe use of equipment
• Demonstrates an ability to effectively utilize the nursing process as a basis for delivery of patient care
• Demonstrates knowledge in the current use of all forms and reports required in the day-to-day operation of the unit
• Demonstrates responsibility for professional growth and development in maintaining competency in nursing practice

Physical and Environmental Demands

This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures: complying with Personal Protective Equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, complying with department specific engineering and work practice controls and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.

For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, "Typical Duties" are essential job functions.

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

MUST MEET REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION

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)

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

• Degrees awarded outside 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