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RN Clinic Orthopedic Office

Mercyhealth · Freeport, IL · $31.21–$46.81 an hour · Part time

Posted Sep 15, 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

What orthopedic experience do you have, and what kinds of patients have you cared for after injuries or joint surgery?

What they are checking: Whether they already know the common orthopedic conditions this Freeport clinic sees every day.

Tell me about a time you noticed a breakdown in how the clinic worked and helped fix it.

What they are checking: Whether they solve problems in clinic flow rather than working around them every day.

What would you do

A patient calls three days after a knee replacement with calf pain and swelling. What do you tell them?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize a possible blood clot and get the patient seen urgently instead of reassuring them.

How do you help a patient prepare for joint injection or surgery so they know what to expect?

What they are checking: Patient education that lowers anxiety and prevents day-of cancellations from missed instructions.

A patient is frustrated that recovery is slower than they hoped. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they can set realistic expectations and keep the patient engaged in physical therapy and follow-up.

About the work

What signs of infection do you teach patients to watch for at a surgical incision?

What they are checking: Whether they give clear warning signs so infections are caught early, before they threaten the implant.

A patient in a new cast says their toes are numb and the pain is getting worse. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize possible compartment syndrome or a too-tight cast and treat it as urgent.

How do you triage the phone calls that come into a busy orthopedic office?

What they are checking: Whether they can sort urgent post-op problems from routine questions so the right patients are seen first.

How do you keep your documentation accurate when the clinic is running behind?

What they are checking: Whether they keep charting complete under time pressure, since notes drive care and billing.

How do you counsel a patient going home on opioids after surgery?

What they are checking: Safe pain medication teaching, including constipation, sedation, storage and plans to taper off.

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The full job description

As published by Mercyhealth.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Utilizes the nursing process and collaborates with interdisciplinary team members in caring for patients. • Administers prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with approved nursing techniques, policies and procedures, standards of care, and State laws/practice act. • Performs assessments, planning, intervention and evaluation of care • Documents according to standards of care. • Develops initiates and executes a patient plan of care according to the individualized needs of the patient, as prescribed by Physician and/or clinic policy including patient and family instruction. • Utilizes resources available to teach and support patient and family education. Provides education to the appropriate level of understanding. • Acts to resolve systems breakdowns and engages self and others in providing solutions. • Participates in department or unit performance improvement activities, may include shared governance. • Utilizes clinical expertise & guidance to other units/departments in support of the patient’s longitudinal plan of care. • Utilizes critical thinking in regards to patient safety and patient experience and appropriately escalates to the appropriate chain of command. • Participates in the professional nursing continuum process, unit/department practice activities and decisions and peer review process • Positively influences the professional and organizational environments and shared governance. • Engages in personal development and supports system-entity opportunities for continuous learning and growth including developing or revising evidence-based practice guidelines. • Illinois: 10 hours of continued education (as required for IL licensure) EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE Graduate of an accredited nursing program. ADN required upon hire, BSN pr eferred . May require specific years of applicable experience to qualify (per department guidelines) CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE Licensed as an RN in state of practice Approved CPR /BLS certification required within 90 days Other certification (s) per department requirements . For example: ACLS, PALS, PEARS, and NRP OTHER SKILL S AND ABILITIES May include color blind test (per department guidelines) LEVEL OF SUPERVISION N/A PAY RANGE: $31.21 - $46.81 Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including: • Medical, Dental, Vision • Life & Disability Insurance • FSA/HSA Options • Generous, accruing paid time off • Paid Parental and caregiver leave • Career advancement and educational opportunities • Tuition and certification reimbursement • Certification Reimbursement • Well-being Programs • Employee Discounts • On-Demand Pay • Financial Education • Annual recognition/awards events • Partner appreciation days • Family entertainment/attractions discount • Community service/improvement opportunities Click here for more details regarding Mercyhealth Careers Benefit Information. At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including: • #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 • One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers • A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women

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