Correctional Med/Surg Registered Nurse
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: 3 shifts of 12 hours (11:00 AM - 11:30 PM)
• 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, no more than 2 consecutive; no time off before/after holidays or on weekends
• Floating: Mandatory float within scope to meet facility needs

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Years of Experience: Minimum 2 years of recent acute care experience in Medical/Surgical nursing (Correctional experience preferred)
• Certifications Required: Basic Life Support (BLS)
• License: Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for Illinois (pending licenses not accepted)
• Local Candidates: 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 or 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
• 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; exemptions require documentation
• Immunizations and health requirements:

  • 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) - 2 vaccines or positive titer with booster if low titer
  • Hepatitis B series, titer, or signed declination within 1 year
  • Varicella - 2 vaccines or positive titer with booster if low titer
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption during flu season (Oct 1 - Apr 1)
• Negative 9-panel drug screen within 90 days of start, updated annually
• Competency exams and medication/pharmacology tests as required (to be completed within 12 months of start)
• Facility-specific forms and rules of behavior must be completed prior to start
• References: 2 references within 2 years preferred (not mandatory to start)

Additional Notes

• No prior travel experience explicitly required
• Must be willing to float as needed within the facility
• No block scheduling accommodations available

This position is ideal for RNs with acute Med/Surg experience interested in correctional healthcare and flexible travel assignments in the Chicago area.