CLINICAL NURSE I -TRAUMA OBSERVATION

Cook County Government; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Pension Plan

Deferred Compensation Program

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

Cook County Health & Hospitals System seeks a Clinical Nurse I for Trauma Observation at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital.

The role provides safe, evidence-based nursing care to critically ill patients and supports families, with assessment, planning, and execution of care per standards. Responsibilities include clinical assessments, care planning, documentation, and education, with required BLS/ACLS and IL RN licensure.

Qualifications

• Licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in Illinois or ability to obtain license two weeks prior to starting employment.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification or ability to obtain prior to orientation.

Responsibilities

• Identifies, plans, and cares for total patient needs considering age-specific requirements.
• Performs initial and ongoing assessment/data collection including biophysical, psychosocial, environmental factors.
• Formulates individualized care plans based on assessed needs and outcomes.
• Implements, evaluates, and revises nursing care per established standards.
• Documents all assessments, treatments, medications, and outcomes.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates educational services for patients.
• Performs and directs CPR as needed and ensures safe equipment operation.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Nursing process

EKG interpretation

Decision making

Patient assessment

Education

RN license IL

Job description

Job Description - CLINICAL NURSE I -TRAUMA OBSERVATION (00139508)

Job Description

CLINICAL NURSE I -TRAUMA OBSERVATION

Job Number:

00139508

Job Posting

Job Posting

: Sep 11, 2026, 8:52:24 PM

Closing Date

: Sep 26, 2026, 4:59:00 AM Full-time

Organization

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.

JOB SUMMARY: NNOC MEMBERS ONLY

LOCATION: John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital

DEPARTMENT: Critical Care - Trauma Observation

SHIFT: 7:00 AM - 7:15 PM

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 .

The Clinical Nurse I is a professional care worker who is responsible and accountable for providing 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 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 area.
• 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.
• Maintains BLS/ACLS certification.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Any NNOC member who responds and/or accepts this position will waive his/her right to the 60 (sixty) day trial period in accordance with Section 4.4(N) of the CBA as of the date of this posting.

Minimum Qualifications

• Licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Illinois or ability to obtain license two (2) weeks prior to starting employment (must provide proof at the time of interview if already obtained)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (must provide proof at the time of interview if already obtained)
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification or ability to obtain certification prior to conclusion of orientation (must provide proof at the time of interview if already obtained)

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) to five (5) years of critical care or acute care experience
• CCRN, TNS, TNCC, NIH Stroke or other specialty certification

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
• Ability to read and interpret Electrocardiogram (EKG) strips
• 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

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

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

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 Veteranmust:

• 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 theirDD 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 avalid State ID Card or Driver’s Licensewhich identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to theapplication 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

*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.