Correctional Medical-Surgical LVN / LPN
Chicago, Illinois
Cermak Health Services of Cook County

Job Opportunity: LVN / LPN - Medical Surgical

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) / Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for a medical surgical role in an acute care correctional facility setting.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited Practical Nursing program
• Current Practical Nurse license in Illinois or ability to obtain license two weeks prior to start
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification
• Proof of successful completion of medication administration coursework (Pharmacology) per Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation standards

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year recent full-time paid clinical experience in an acute care or ambulatory care facility

Experience Requirements

• Specialty: LVN / LPN
• Required Years of Experience: 1 year (based on preferred qualifications)
• Prior travel experience: Not explicitly required

Work Schedule & Requirements

• Guaranteed 40 hours per week
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend (2 weekends per month)
• Return to Office (RTO): Maximum 5 days per month, no more than 2 consecutive days, no RTO on holidays or weekends, and no RTO the day before or after a holiday
• Mandatory float: All clinicians must float within their scope of practice as needed by the facility

Facility Highlights

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

Certifications & Competencies Required

• Current CPR certification
• Medication Test/Pharmacology Competency Exam (must be completed within 12 months prior to start if starting on/after 4/14/24)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (AHA only)
• Other certifications may be required depending on unit assignment (e.g., ACLS, PALS, NRP) but not mandatory for this role unless specified by unit

Background & Health Requirements

• Background check within 12 months covering all locations lived/worked/schooled in past 7 years, including SSN trace and national sex offender registry
• Drug screening: Negative 9-panel drug screen within 90 days of start, updated annually
• Physical exam within 12 months of start, signed by PA, NP, DO, or MD
• Fit mask test (N95 or equivalent) within 1 year of start, required annually
• Immunizations and screenings:

  • Tdap vaccine within 10 years or signed declination
  • Negative TB test (QGold or TSPOT) within 12 months, updated annually
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination or positive titer with booster if low titer
  • Hepatitis B series, titer, or signed declination within 1 year
  • Varicella vaccination or positive titer with booster if low titer
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption during flu season (10/01 - 04/01)

Additional Notes

• Must complete facility-specific forms and rules of behavior prior to start
• This is a mandatory float facility; flexibility to work in different units within scope is required
• No call requirements

This position is ideal for LVNs/LPNs with at least 1 year of acute or ambulatory care experience who are comfortable working in a correctional healthcare environment and are willing to float as needed.