Cook County Hospital Nursing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Description - CLINICAL NURSE I - OPERATING ROOM NURSING (00139345)

Job Description

CLINICAL NURSE I - OPERATING ROOM NURSING

00139345

Job Posting: Aug 10, 2026, 5:47:59 PM

Aug 25, 2026, 4:59:00 AM

Full-time

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.

SHIFT: 10:00am - 8:15pm

PAY RANGE: $38.203 - $52.061

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 Operating Room Clinical Nurse I is specially trained to practice nursing during the Perioperative period. The dimensions of practice range from preoperative assessment to intra operative intervention to postoperative evaluation. It is practice designed to meet a patient’s needs through the nursing process, ensuring continuity of care during the surgical experience.

• Performs in scrub or circulating role.
• Checks the following day’s assignments so as to be prepared in anatomy, the surgeon’s preference, and sequence of procedure. If special instrumentation or prosthetics are requested, ensure they have arrived and familiar with usage
• Attends report at scheduled time
• Damp dusts operating room surfaces
• Checks supplies against preference cards, obtaining any missing items
• Ensures that required blood products are readily available in the Blood Bank
• Opens sterile supplies with scrub staff
• Performs initial baseline counts according to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital (JSH) Policy and Procedures
• Checks spotlights, connects suctions, and electrical equipment
• Greets patients in Pre-Op area and receives hand-off communication from Pre-Op nurse; refers the Pre-Op admission policy; assures patients are in operating room fifteen (15) minutes before scheduled start of surgery
• Checks patient documentation preoperatively to ensure that chart is complete with: all appropriate consents signed, proper patient identification and verified with Pre-Op during hand off; Labs/X-ray, etc. (refers to policy)
• Assesses the physical and psychosocial needs of the patient; provides physical and emotional support, as needed; explains routines and procedures to patients, as needed
• Assists patients in moving to the O.R. table; requests assistance if necessary for moving and/or positioning; secures safety belt
• Keeps noise level to a minimum
• Assures surgeon and assistant (if applicable) are present in the operating room before anesthesia begins; remains next to the patient during anesthesia induction; assists anesthesiologist, as needed
• Performs pre-induction and pre-incision time out, checks with surgical team and anesthesia staff
• Assesses patient skin integrity on arrival to and prior to transfer from O.R.
• Assists in positioning of the patient
• Properly places grounding pad; refer to Electrosurgical Policy
• Assists in gowning surgeons, assistants, etc.
• Connects suction and electrosurgical unit
• Pours medications on back table: ensures labels on all solutions and medications are to be checked by both scrub and circulating staff ensures expiration date is reviewed by both the scrub and circulating staff; ensures Anesthesiologist is notified whenever Xylocaine, Cocaine, Neosynephrine, or other similar drugs are on the field
• Maintains an ongoing assessment of supplies needed on the surgical field vs. supplies in the room
• Ensures instrument, needle, and sponge counts are performed in the event of permanent relief of either the scrub or circulating staff
• Contacts Holding area to call for the next scheduled case prior to closure of case in progress
• Notifies Control Desk if room is running late and may delay the next scheduled surgery
• Documents all supplies, implants and medications used during procedure
• Remains in the operating room at all times unless properly relieved by another Registered Nurse (if case in progress mandates leaving OR to secure additional supplies, notifies scrub staff prior to exiting the room)
• Prepares tape for dressings, gurney, and suction towards the end of procedure
• Accurately performs and documents final sponge, needs, and instrument count with scrub staff according to JSH Policy
• Cleans patient, applies dressings, and connects drains
• Assists anesthesiologist (i.e., extubation)
• Completes and documents all nursing interventions performed in the operating room
• Transfers patient to gurney

• Cleans and stocks room
• Ensures all sutures, and supplies are returned to their proper place
• Returns furniture to its designated area
• Returns equipment to its designated storage area
• Ensures specimen(s) and slips have been transported to, and placed in, the specimen refrigerator
• Assists in collecting equipment for workroom
• Assists in cleaning of operating room
• Completes documentation and submits to Main Operating Room Office
• Signs out of Operating Room
• Documents time next case is scheduled in the room
• Performs special weekly assignments, as needed

• Supports the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital, Department of Nursing Philosophy and goals
• Assumes responsibility of individual clinical competence and continuing education
• Participates in educational activities to increase competency
• Acts as a role model/preceptor for staff, orientees, and students in collaboration with other nursing staff and the clinical instructor
• Participates in staff nurse meetings, unit conferences, patient care conferences, etc., to coordinate nursing and medical management of patient care
• Seeks involvement in committees and professional organizations
• Provides care that demonstrates ethical beliefs and respect for patient rights
• Supports research efforts conducted within the division/department
• Contributes to the efficient management operation of the Perioperative area

• Licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Illinois is required (Must provide proof at time of interview if already obtained)
• One (1) year of Operating Room experience within the past six years OR Must provide proof of completing a Senior Synthesis or Capstone rotation in the Operating Room or Perioperative Services at time of interview is required
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required (Must provide proof at time of interview if already obtained)

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited college or university
• Two (2) years of Cardiothoracic OR experience in the scrub and circulating roles.
• Two (2) years of Neurosurgery OR experience in the scrub and circulating roles
• Two (2) years of Vascular OR experience in the scrub and circulating roles
• Two (2) years of Orthopedic OR experience in the scrub and circulating roles
• One (1) year of OR robotics experience in the scrub and circulating roles
• One (1) year of Operating Room nursing experience in the scrub and circulating roles

• IDENTIFY AS A VETERAN ON THE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION BY ANSWERING YES TO THE QUESTION “Are you a Military Veteran?”

When applying for employment with 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:

ATTACH A COPY OF THE VETERANS DD214, DD215 or NGB 22 (NOTICE OF SEPARATION) AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE DD 214S, 215S, OR NGB22S, 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 911) OR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (AFTER 911). DISCHARGE PAPERS MUST LIST AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE STATUS. DISCHARGE PAPERS NOT LISTING AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE STATUS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE

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 ATACHED TO THE APPLICATION AT THE TIME OF FILING.

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

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

• 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 of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States’ territories and Canada muse be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belongings 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.