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Cook County
Chicago, Illinois

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT I - CERMAK

Physician AssistantIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • LOCATION: Cermak Health Services, 2800 S California Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
  • DEPARTMENT: Med/Surg Administration
  • SHIFT: Rotating/Varies (All shifts: 8AM-4PM, 1PM-9PM, 2PM-10PM, and rotating weekends)

Applicants may apply for this position online or submit a resume/ CV to the following email address: PARecruit@cookcountyhhs.org.

When submitting a resume/CV by email, you 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.

This position is exempt from Career Service under the CCH Personnel Rules.

Job Summary

The Cermak Health Care of Cook County (CERMAK) provides healthcare to the detainees at the Cook County Department of Corrections.

Under the direction of Chair of the Department of Correctional Health, Medical Director at Cermak, the Physician Assistant I will primarily perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that are deemed appropriate to the normal scope and characteristics of the collaborating physician and in compliance with the Illinois Physician Assistant Practice Act. May perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Typical Duties

Provides and manages direct patient care

Conducts Patient's Health Needs Assessments

Obtains comprehensive history and performs detailed physical examinations to determine accurate diagnosis

Orders appropriate diagnostic tests or lab work necessary, i. e., X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), complete blood count (CBC), etc.

  • Informs and effectively communicates with patient test results and/or diagnosis
  • Identifies and communicates with supervisor any patient care issues; offers research guided recommendations for improvement initiatives if applicable
  • Develops and implements patient management plans in providing continuity of care
  • Performs procedures, treatments, and other subspecialty dependent modalities within the scope of the collaborating physician to improve patient outcomes
  • Adheres to quality and patient safety standards set forth by CCH
  • Adheres to infection control policies and protocols, i. e., hand hygiene
  • Prescribes and dispenses medications utilizing best practices
  • Complies with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements.

Maintains professional licensing requirements and technical knowledge through continued educational programs and workshops supporting emerging healthcare trends

Minimum Qualifications

Graduate of an Accreditation Review Commission (ARC) Physician Assistant program is required (Must provide proof at time of interview).

Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) or ability to obtain certification prior to starting employment is required.

Valid Physician Assistant license in the State of Illinois OR have the ability to obtain license 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 (Must provide proof at time of interview).

Preferred Qualifications

Valid Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification is preferred.

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 for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

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

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.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SYSTEMS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Key Responsibilities

Provides and manages direct patient care, including assessments, histories, examinations, diagnosis, diagnostic testing, treatment planning, procedures, and medication management. Communicates results and care issues, supports continuity of care, and follows patient safety, infection control, legal, and professional standards.

Requirements

Requires graduation from an accredited physician assistant program, NCCPA certification or eligibility to obtain it, and an Illinois PA license or eligibility to obtain one. Also requires BLS certification and Illinois controlled substances and federal DEA licenses or the ability to obtain them within six months of starting; ACLS is preferred.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Certifications

ACLS (preferred)DEA LicenseBoard Certification

Key Skills

Patient AssessmentMedical History TakingPhysical ExaminationPatient CommunicationPatient Management PlanningMedication PrescribingClinical DocumentationInterdisciplinary Communication

Correctional Health — Physician Assistant Career Context

Of the 50 active Physician Assistant listings this role was benchmarked against, 6% are remote, 70% have no call, 62% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

What does the Physician Assistant market look like in Illinois?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed paynot listedPhysician Assistant median $126k (middle half $110k–$155k)36 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost of livingIllinois index 100.0US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Physician Assistant listings in Illinois150 active4,637 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 6% remote · 70% no call · 62% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Physician Assistant Jobs

50 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

50 jobs · 37 employers
21
<$165k
10
$165k-180k
7
$180k-195k
11
$195k-210k
1
$218k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

43 jobs · 37 employers
401k / retirement match
79% this job
CME allowance
63%
Sign-on bonus
42%
Loan repayment
28% this job
Relocation assistance
19%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

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Providence · Santa Rosa, California

$171k-$218k
#2

Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant, Virtual Internal Medicine (Temporary)

Sutter Health · Dublin, California

$95.48-$100.25/hr
#3

Physiatry (PM&R) Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant

$175k-$205k
#4

Physician Assistant / Nurse Practitioner 4 Day Work Week

$100k-$200k
+ 48 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 1.5
Below most Physician Assistant roles listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 4,572 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes weekends
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About Cook County

Government Administration
Chicago, IL
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
Basic Term Life Insurance
Pension Plan
Deferred Compensation Program
Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility

Living in Chicago

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$354k
Typical market rent
$2,311/mo
Residents’ average commute
33 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.