Observation Unit Registered Nurse
Lake Forest, Illinois
Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse - Observation Unit

Location: Lake Forest, Illinois
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 12 weeks

Job Description

• On-call availability required; placed on low census/on-call status
• Weekend work required
• Meal breaks: 30 minutes

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Illinois
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Minimum of 1 year of recent experience in Progressive Care Unit (PCU)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association

Experience

• Specialty: Registered Nurse
• Minimum years of experience: Not explicitly stated; assume standard RN experience for travel contracts
• No explicit prior travel experience required

Certifications & Compliance Requirements

• BLS (Basic Life Support) - required for all RNs
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) - may be required depending on specialty area
• Other certifications may be required depending on unit assignment (e.g., PALS, NRP, EFM)

Background & Documentation Requirements

• 7-year criminal background check within 30 days of start
• Education verification of highest degree (BSN minimum)
• Drug screening (10-panel) within 30 days of start
• Physical exam within 1 year of start, confirming good health and ability to perform job duties
• Fit mask test within 12 months of start, updated annually
• Immunizations and titers:

  • Tdap (within 10 years)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray as applicable
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) immunity or vaccination
  • Varicella immunity or vaccination
  • Hepatitis B vaccine series or declination
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption during flu season
  • COVID-19 vaccination or declination

Additional Requirements

• Completion of competency exams and skills checklists annually
• Compliance with facility-specific policies including confidentiality, privacy, and sexual harassment training
• Illinois Healthcare Worker Registry fingerprinting and eligibility verification required prior to start (must be completed in Illinois; out-of-state fingerprints not accepted)

Work Environment & Other Notes

• This is a travel/contract position with a 12-week assignment length
• Candidates must be prepared for on-call duties and weekend shifts
• Candidates should be proactive in completing required training modules and documentation promptly to ensure timely start

This summary includes all relevant information for healthcare recruiters and workers considering this Registered Nurse travel contract position in Illinois.