CLINICAL NURSE I - MEDICAL/SURGICAL 7W

Cook County Government; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 53,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage

Pension Plan

Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick Time

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

The Cook County Health & Hospitals System is seeking a Clinical Nurse I for the Medical/Surgical 7W unit at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital in Chicago.

This 36-hour weekly position offers a competitive hourly salary range and requires Illinois RN licensure and BLS. The unit handles diverse acute cases with emphasis on quality patient care, safety, and teamwork. Typical duties include nursing assessments, care planning, administering medications, and education for patients and families.

Qualifications

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in Illinois or ability to obtain prior to start date.
• Active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required or obtainable within two weeks of starting.

Responsibilities

• Identify, plan, and care for total patient needs in Medical/Surgical 7W.
• Perform initial and ongoing assessments and data collection.
• Formulate and implement individualized care plans.
• Administer medications and monitor patient responses.
• Document nursing assessments, treatments, and outcomes.
• Provide patient and family education and discharge planning.
• Respond promptly in crises and emergencies and perform CPR as needed.
• Ensure safe operation of equipment and collaborate with healthcare team.

Skills

Nursing knowledge

Patient assessment

Communication skills

Medication calculation

Critical thinking

Crisis management

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Illinois RN license

BLS certification

RN nursing degree

Job description

Job Description - CLINICAL NURSE I - MEDICAL/SURGICAL 7W 1 (00139722)

Job Description

CLINICAL NURSE I - MEDICAL/SURGICAL 7W

Job Number:

00139722

Job Posting

Oct 21, 2026, 7:16:28 PM

Closing Date

Nov 5, 2026, 5:59:00 AM

Full-time Shift Start Time: 7:00 A.M.

Shift End Time: 7:30 P.M.

Organization

Health and Hospital Systems

PLEASE BE ADVISED that this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between Cook County and the National Nurses Organizing Committee. Pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement, Cook County will exhaust internal eligible applicants prior to considering external applicants. Cook County is assembling a list of qualified candidates for this position that will be considered should the position not be filled with internal eligible applicants.

Cook County’s 7W Medical-Surgical Correctional unit serves a population of both civilians and detainees that display a variety of acute illnesses. The unit’s purpose is to serve both populations with medical expertise, compassion, privacy, and dignity.

Commonly seen diagnoses for the patients within the unit include Hypertension, Diabetes, Orthopedic procedures, General surgeries such as Appendectomy, Cholecystectomy, Hysterectomy, Colon surgery, and hernia surgery, Urologic procedures, Stroke, wound management, Psychiatric management, and infectious diseases.

LOCATION: John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital (Medical/Surgical - 7W Unit)

SHIFT: 7:00 A.M. - 7:30 P.M. (36 hours a week/72 hours a pay period)

SALARY: $38.203 - $52.061 Hourly

Salary is commensurate with years of experience indicated at time of application submittal. Experience not disclosed or documented at the time of application will not be considered for initial step placement.

JOB SUMMARY

The Clinical Nurse I is a professional care worker who is responsible and accountable for providing and coordinating safe, effective individualized nursing care to critically ill patients and supportive care to significant others. Assess patient’s needs and pain, implements, and evaluates nursing care according to established standards. These activities require nursing judgment based on application of scientific principles of nursing, problem solving, and teaching/learning.

Typical Duties

• Identifies, plans, and cares for the total needs of patients taking into consideration the age specific needs of patients served in assigned area of responsibility.
• Performs initial and ongoing assessment/data collection that includes consideration of biophysical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, educational and discharge planning factors in a systematic manner.
• Formulates an individualized plan of care based on patient's assessed needs, desired outcome and consideration of age related requirements.
• Implements care in knowledgeable, skillful and a safe manner based on established patient and nursing practice standards.
• Evaluates effectiveness of care and revise interventions as appropriate.
• Documents all nursing assessments, treatments, medications, tolerance to procedures, changes in condition, intervention and patient outcomes.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates educational services/programs for patients.
• Makes appropriate and timely decisions in a crisis or emergency situation.
• Performs and/or directs cardio-pulmonary resuscitation activities.
• Operates equipment safely and necessary for providing patient care in assigned clinical areas.
• Works and communicates effectively with a variety of individuals.
• Provides general direction, guidance and coordination of patient care given by other levels of nursing staff.
• Applies knowledge of standard operating policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates awareness of patient/family rights and ethical/legal issues.
• Participates in staff orientation and staff development activities for the unit.
• Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for professional practice, growth and development.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois or ability to obtain license two (2) weeks prior to starting employment, required. (Must provide proof at time of interview if already obtained)

Active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or able to obtain one within two (2) weeks of starting, required. (Must provide proof at time of interview if already obtained)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

One (1) to five (5) years of acute care experience, preferred.

CMSRN certification or other specialty certification, preferred.

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Knowledge of using medical/surgical equipment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groups
• Accurate mathematical skills to calculate medications levels using weight, age, etc.
• Ability to apply the nursing process and utilize technical skills for patient care delivery
• Ability to make decisions under pressure
• Ability to see and hear clearly (including with correction)
• Ability to distinguish regular/high pitched sounds; discriminate source of sound
• Ability to demonstrate rapid physical/mental coordination
• Ability to use both legs, hands, and fingers
• Demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and precision
• Demonstrates knowledge of and rationale for the safe use of equipment
• Demonstrates an ability to effectively utilize the nursing process as a basis for delivery of patient care
• Demonstrates knowledge in the current use of all forms and reports required in the day-to-day operation of the unit

Demonstrates responsibility for professional growth and development in maintaining competency in nursing practice

Physical and Environmental Demands

This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures: complying with Personal Protective Equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, complying with department specific engineering and work practice controls and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.

For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, “Typical Duties” are essential job functions.

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service.

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, “Are you a Military Veteran?”
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable)

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver’s License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW

MUST MEET REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION

BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• 100% Tuition Reimbursement for nursing-related programs

*Degrees awarded outside the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.

*Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.

*CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.