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 each (7:00 PM - 7:30 AM)
• 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 days; no time off on holidays or weekends; no time off the day before or after a holiday
• Floating: Mandatory float within facility as needed

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) - AHA only
• License: Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for Illinois (must be active, no pending licenses accepted)
• Local Candidates: Accepted and preferred; must live within 75 miles of the facility

Facility & Work Environment

• Correctional healthcare setting
• Charting system: Cerner
• Scrub color: Navy Blue
• Parking: Free, first come first serve

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; updated annually; includes SSN trace, nationwide sex offender, OFAC, and other federal/state checks
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks within 30 days of start
• Physical exam within 12 months, signed by PA, NP, DO, or MD; updated annually
• Fit mask test (N95 or equivalent) within 1 year; annual requirement; medical or religious exemptions require documentation
• Immunizations and health requirements:

  • Tdap vaccine within 10 years or signed declination (declination within 12 months)
  • Negative TB test (QGold or TSPOT) within 12 months; annual updates required; chest x-ray if positive TB history
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): 2 vaccines or positive titer; booster if low titer
  • Varicella: 2 vaccines or positive titer; booster if low titer
  • Hepatitis B series, titer, or signed declination (declination within 1 year)
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption during flu season (Oct 1 - Apr 1); declinations not accepted
• Negative 9-panel drug screen within 90 days of start; must be initiated within 48 hours of contract signing; marijuana testing not required; annual updates
• Competency exams including medication/pharmacology, color blindness, and dysrhythmia/EKG as applicable; must be current within 12 months
• Facility-specific forms and rules of behavior must be completed prior to start, including a time-sensitive PREA clearance form

Additional Notes

• No block scheduling accommodations
• No call requirements
• Mandatory floating to other units as needed within scope of practice
• Local candidates preferred but travel candidates accepted
• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required for this position

This position is ideal for RNs with acute care Med/Surg experience interested in correctional healthcare and flexible with floating assignments.