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Cook County
Chicago, Illinois

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT I - NEUROCRITICAL CARE

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: JOHN H. Stroger, JR. Hospital

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

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.

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 prior to 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 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 diagnostic and therapeutic services to neurology patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings under the supervision of an attending neurologist. Responsibilities include performing neurological exams, initiating treatment plans, and monitoring patients for neurological emergencies.

Requirements

Requires completion of an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant program and current NCCPA certification or eligibility. Candidates must hold or be eligible for a valid Illinois Physician Assistant license, Controlled Substances license, and DEA registration.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

Neurological examinationPatient history takingTreatment planningStroke managementClinical documentationEvidence-based problem solvingMultidisciplinary collaborationMicrosoft OfficeInfection controlTime management

Critical Care Medicine — Physician Assistant Career Context

Of the 50 active Critical Care Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 4% are remote, 70% have no call, 64% require no weekends.

Critical Care Medicine pay on WeekdayDoc is down 8.0% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

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).

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Salary Distribution50 jobs · 41 employers

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9
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5
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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks41 jobs

401k / retirement match
78% this job
CME allowance
63%
Sign-on bonus
51%
Loan repayment
20% this job
Relocation assistance
12%

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Work-life snapshot

median 1.5this job 3.0
Better work-life than 80% of Critical Care Medicine (PA) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 38 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes weekends

Living in Chicago

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$356k
Typical market rent
$2,342/mo
Residents’ average commute
33 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

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

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

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About Cook County

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

Benefits & Perks

Medical Insurance
Dental
Vision
Basic Term Life Insurance
Pension Plan
Deferred Compensation Program
Paid Holidays
Vacation