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Clinical Nurse Leader

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab · Chicago, IL · $34.23–$59.86 an hour · Full time

Posted Aug 18, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a quality improvement project you led. What changed and how did you measure it?

What they are checking: Real QI experience with measurable results, not just ideas.

Tell me about a time you resolved a conflict between disciplines on the care team.

What they are checking: Whether they can settle disagreements across nursing, therapy and medicine so the patient's plan stays unified.

How do you mentor newer nurses on complex rehab patients?

What they are checking: Commitment to building nursing skills on the unit.

What would you do

The posting calls the role a micro-system outcomes manager. How would you pick which outcome to improve first on a unit?

What they are checking: Ability to use data to choose high-impact clinical, functional or cost targets.

How do you balance your administrative days with your days providing direct patient care?

What they are checking: Time management in a split role, which the posting describes.

How do you get nurses to adopt a new practice when they're already busy?

What they are checking: Leadership through influence and coaching rather than authority alone.

How do you work with research and education teams to bring new evidence to the bedside?

What they are checking: Ability to connect evidence-based practice with daily care.

A patient satisfaction score dropped on your unit. How would you find the cause?

What they are checking: Using feedback and observation to find root causes.

About the work

What data would you track to understand functional outcomes on a rehab unit?

What they are checking: Knowledge of rehab measures and how to use them for improvement.

How would you lower costs on a unit without hurting patient care?

What they are checking: Whether they can cut waste on a unit thoughtfully without trading away safety or quality of care.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together. Job Description Summary The Clinical Nurse Leader is a micro-system outcomes manager for a specified group of patients. Collaborates with other healthcare disciplines, research and administration teams to manage clinical, functional, cost, and satisfaction outcomes. Partners with the education and practice arenas to provide patient care. The Clinical Nurse Leader serves as a leader through consultation, collaboration and application of the nursing process with a focus on improving outcomes at the unit level. The Clinical Nurse Leader works part time administratively and part time on the unit providing direct patient care. The Clinical Nurse Leader consistently demonstrates support of the SRAlab statement of Mission and Philosophy by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the institute. The Clinical Nurse Leader demonstrates SRAlab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and SRAlab Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, and Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties. Job Description The Clinical Nurse Leader will: • Collect physiological, psychosocial, and functional data to formulate nursing diagnosis utilizing evidence-based techniques and instruments. • Implement interventions consistent with the established plan of care, interdisciplinary treatment plan, and available resources and evaluates progress toward goal attainment modifying the plan of care as indicated. • Partner with interdisciplinary team to address complex patient and family goals and collaborates with Allied Health staff on interventions to improve performance and outcomes. • Provide comprehensive nursing care for assigned patients, which includes performing specializing treatments, administering prescribed medications, delegating duties to appropriate persons, and coordinating patient care with other departments. • Collect and reports pertinent physiological, psychological, and functional data based on patient plan of care or patient need. • Collect and analyze nursing outcome data and collaborates with manager to develop plan to improve performance. • Monitor patient satisfaction and preparation for discharge scores and works with nursing staff to improve levels of performance. • Orient patient and family to SRAlab, solicits feedback from nurses to evaluate outcomes, coordinates the handoff of nursing care, identifies high-risk home discharges, and coordinates follow-up phone calls. • Review and critique care plans for patients and works with staff to customize interventions to attain patient family goals and reduce the risk of complications during the rehabilitation stay. • Identify and develop plan to address learning needs of patients and families by providing accurate • Identify gaps in current available data and develops plan to collect, interpret, analyze, and use data to improve outcomes. • Review, evaluate and make recommendations regarding Institute policies and procedures to insure they are evidence-based and bring research to the clinical practice. • Establish and maintain learning environment by working with health team members, assisting with care and documentation and initiating and conducting patient care conferences with staff. • Assume charge nurse responsibilities including working with team members and resolving interdepartmental problems and barriers to provision of necessary services to patients. • Perform all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of SRAlab. Reporting Relationships: • Reports directly to the Nurse Manager. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • Minimum education requirement of a Master's of Science degree (or equivalent) from an accredited nursing program. • National certification as Clinical Nurse Leader, or completion of CNL within one year, and ongoing maintenance of Clinical Nurse Leader national certification/annual continuing education requirements. • Current Illinois Registered Professional Nurse license. • Current CPR certification. • Minimum 4 years of relevant nursing experience. • Understanding of the growth and development of infant, child, adolescent, young adult, middle-aged adult and geriatric patients. • Demonstrates the ability to interpret growth and development related information to assure patient needs are met. • Demonstrated success in leadership roles and initiatives. • Excellent problem solving abilities. • Ability to communicate effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication. • Demonstrated critical thinking skills and ability to make sound judgments and to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition. • Ability to anticipate, assess, and address the needs of patients. • Ability to transfer and position patients consistent with lifting 30 lbs. Working Conditions: • Normal patient care environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature. • Exposure to moderately adverse working conditions in performing certain patient care activities. • Occasional exposure to infectious diseases when working with patients. 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 personnel so classified. Pay and Benefits*: Pay Range: $34.23 - $59.86 Benefits: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: https://www.sralab.org/benefits *Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role. Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law. EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law - Know Your Rights | View our Full Policy Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.

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