Correctional Med/Surg RN
Chicago, Illinois
Cermak Health Services of Cook County

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (Correctional) - Illinois, Chicago

Position Details

• Specialty: Registered Nurse (Med/Surg - Correctional)
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Employment Type: Travel/Contract
• Contract Length: 13 weeks
• Shift: 3x12 hour shifts, 11:00 AM - 11:30 PM (No block scheduling accommodations)
• Guaranteed Hours: 36 hours per week
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend (2 weekends per month)
• Call Requirements: None
• Time Off (RTO): Maximum 5 days off with no more than 2 consecutive days; no time off allowed on holidays, weekends, or the day before/after a holiday
• Floating: Mandatory float facility; all clinicians must float within their scope as needed

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 2 years of recent acute care experience in Medical/Surgical nursing; correctional experience preferred
• Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) required
• License: Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for Illinois required; pending licenses not accepted
• Local Candidates: Locals accepted and preferred; must live within 75 miles of the facility

Facility & Work Environment

• Correctional healthcare setting
• Scrub color: Navy Blue
• Electronic charting system: Cerner
• Free parking available (first come, first served)

Required Documentation & Compliance

• Government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License/State ID or US Passport)
• Social Security Card
• Background check within 12 months covering all locations lived/worked/schooled in past 7 years; includes SSN trace, nationwide sex offender, OFAC, and others; Illinois fingerprinting required if indicated
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks within 30 days of start
• Physical exam within 12 months, signed by PA, NP, DO, or MD
• Fit mask test (N95 or equivalent) within 1 year, updated annually; medical or religious exemptions require approval
• Immunizations and health screenings:

  • Tdap vaccine within 10 years or signed declination
  • Negative TB test (QGold or TSPOT) within 12 months, updated annually (PPD not accepted after 12/15/2025)
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination or positive titer with boosters if low titer
  • Hepatitis B series, titer, or signed declination within 1 year
  • Varicella vaccination or positive titer with booster if low titer
• Drug screening: Negative 9-panel drug screen within 90 days of start, updated annually; marijuana not required
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required during flu season (Oct 1 - Apr 1)
• Competency exams and training as required (medication/pharmacology, color blindness, dysrhythmia/EKG for applicable roles)
• Facility-specific forms and rules of behavior must be completed prior to start
• References and employment application per agency standards (2 references within 2 years preferred)

Additional Notes

• No call or holiday time off allowed
• Must be willing to float as required by the facility
• Correctional healthcare environment requires adherence to specific security and behavioral protocols

This position is ideal for experienced Med/Surg RNs interested in correctional healthcare and able to commit to a 13-week travel contract in the Chicago area with mandatory floating and weekend work.