Correctional 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)
• Employment Type: Travel/Contract
• Contract Length: 13 weeks
• Shift: 3 shifts of 12 hours each (7:00 AM - 7:30 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 with no more than 2 consecutive days; no time off allowed on holidays, weekends, or the day before/after a holiday
• Floating: Mandatory floating within scope to meet facility needs

Location

• Chicago, Illinois
• Must live within 75 miles of the facility (locals preferred)

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 2 years of recent acute care experience in Medical/Surgical nursing
• Correctional experience preferred but not required
• Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) required
• License: Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for Illinois required (pending licenses not accepted)

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 state ID)
• Social Security Card
• Background check within 12 months covering all locations lived/worked/schooled in past 7 years; must include all aliases and various national/statewide 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
• Fit mask test (N95 or equivalent) within 1 year, required annually
• 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
• 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)
• Medication test/pharmacology competency exam within 12 months of start
• Color blind testing and competency exams as required
• NIH Stroke Certification required for RNs in Med Surg and other specified specialties, updated annually

Additional Notes

• Prior travel experience is not explicitly required for this position
• Locals are accepted and preferred due to proximity requirements
• Floating is mandatory to meet facility needs

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