PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT I - NEUROCRITICAL CARE

Cook County Government; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 132,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision coverage

Pension Plan

Paid Holidays and Vacation

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

Cook County Health & Hospitals System seeks a Physician Assistant I in Neurocritical Care to provide diagnostic and therapeutic services on inpatient neurology consults and outpatient clinics, under the supervision of an attending Neurologist.

Responsibilities include evaluating patients, initiating treatment plans, monitoring stroke care, completing progress notes, and collaborating with medical staff. Requires ARC-PA PA program, NCCPA, IL license, BLS, and willingness for varied shifts.

Qualifications

• ARC-PA accredited PA program completed or in process prior to start.
• NCCPA certification or eligibility to obtain certification.
• Current Illinois PA license or eligibility to obtain license.
• Illinois Controlled Substances License or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Federal DEA license or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• BLS certification required.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate, perform history/physicals, and neurology exams for inpatients and outpatients.
• Provide care under supervision of an attending Neurologist on Neurocritical Care services.
• Order labs/imaging and develop treatment plans with physician review.
• Identify and respond to neurological emergencies (e.g., stroke).
• Complete daily progress notes and outpatient notes; maintain stroke center standards.
• Collaborate with medical staff and students; manage test results and messages.

Skills

Clinical skills

HIPAA compliance

Data interpretation

Verbal/written communication

Education

ARC-PA accredited PA program

NCCPA certification or eligibility

Illinois PA license

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Access

Excel

Job description

Job Description - PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT I - NEUROCRITICAL CARE (00139678)

Job Description

Job Number

00139678

Job Posting

Oct 9, 2026, 2:22:10 PM

Closing Date

Ongoing Full-time

Collective Bargaining Unit : SEIU Local 73 Posting Salary : $63.313 - $71.259

Organization

Health and Hospital Systems

DEPARTMENT: NEUROCRITICAL CARE

SHIFT: VARIABLE (6 AM-6 PM, 6 PM- 6 AM, as well as weekday and weekend shifts)

When submitting a resume/CV by email, must include the job title and posting number in the subject line of your email. An application or resume/CV must be filed for each position which interests you.

To receive Veteran Preference, appropriate discharge papers must be attached to the online application or must be included with your emailed resume/CV. Please refer to Veteran Preference document requirements listed on the bottom of this posting.

JOB SUMMARY

Provides diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients on both the inpatient neurology service and the outpatient neurology clinics in collaboration with a licensed physician as deemed appropriate and within the scope and practice of the Neurology physician and in compliance with the Illinois Physician Assistant Practice Act.

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Evaluates, completes a detailed history/physical and exam, including neurological exam, and treats patients on the inpatient Neurology consultation services and the outpatient Neurology clinics.
• Provides care throughout all Cook County Health Neurology inpatient and outpatient sites including Stroger Hospital and Provident Hospital under the supervision of an attending Neurologist.
• Performs appropriate and accurate Neurology specific history and physical examination and initiate treatment plans including laboratory and radiograph ordering, reviewing the findings with the physician, and completing treatment of the patient.
• Identifies and initiates emergent treatment for neurological emergencies including acute stroke, spinal cord compression, and status epilepticus.
• Completes daily progress notes for inpatient consults and outpatient notes for outpatients.
• Monitors and maintains Joint Commission requirements for accreditation as a stroke center for all stroke patients.
• Participates in research as applicable to Neurology as approved by the Chair of Neurology.
• Works closely with medical and PA students.
• Monitors and responds to lab results, patient messages, and patient phone calls.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of a Physician Assistant Program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or proof of completion of ARC-PA program two (2) weeks prior to starting employment is required.
• Completion and maintenance of certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) or eligibility to obtain certification two (2) weeks priorto hire date is required.
• Current valid state of Illinois Physician Assistant License OR temporary license as a Physician Assistant from the State of Illinois, or eligibility to obtain license two (2) weeks prior to starting employment is required.
• Valid Illinois Controlled Substances License (ILCS) or ability to obtain license within six (6) months of starting employment is required.
• Valid licensure with the Federal DEA or ability to obtain license within six (6) months of starting employment is required.
• Must possess a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

• Bilingual is preferred.
• Clinical experience with a focused neurology rotation during electives or previous job experience within the field of Neurology is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

• Knowledge of proper hand hygiene and hand washing techniques
• Knowledge of infectious control policies and procedures
• Thorough knowledge of Physician Assistant practices and principles that apply them in a clinical setting
• Self-directed proficiency with Microsoft Word, Powerpoint Access, Excel and other data analysis tools and methodologies required for data gathering, analysis and presentation
• Excellent Physician Assistant clinical and technical skills
• 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
• Strong evidence-based analytical approach to problem solving
• Strong customer service and empathy skills
• Demonstrates good computer and typing skills
• Demonstrates good phone and email etiquette skills and strong response times
• Demonstrates analytical and organizational, problem-solving, critical thinking and conflict management/resolution skills
• Demonstrates attention to detail, accuracy and precision
• Ability to effectively communicate while maintaining HIPAA for PHI
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast paced and stressful environment
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and composure when challenged
• Ability to function autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to see and hear clearly (including with correction)
• Ability to tolerate exposure to unpleasant noise, odor and temperature
• Ability to take initiative, work with or without direct supervision

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, “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 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.

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 forthe Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

Degrees awarded outside of 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 bust be presented at time of interview.

Must successfully meet the credentialing standards established by the Cook County Health and Hospitals System to include a State of Illinois PA license and any other license, certification, or specialized training, etc., no later than two (2) weeks prior to the candidate’s start date

*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.