About the job
The Patient Care Technician embodies the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine (NM). This role adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program while ensuring compliance with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulatory and accreditation standards.
Key Responsibilities:
As a Patient Care Technician, you will perform various clinical and patient care-related tasks under the supervision of a clinical RN or physician. Your duties will include but are not limited to:
- Collecting, labeling, and transporting specimens as assigned.
- Obtaining 12-lead EKGs.
- Discontinuing saline locks and indwelling urinary catheters.
- Discontinuing telemetry monitoring packs.
- Conducting bladder scans.
- Performing point-of-care testing as appropriate.
- Assisting patients with personal hygiene and nutritional needs as specified in their care plans.
- Conducting hourly patient rounding in collaboration with the clinical RN.
- Documenting patient care data as directed by the clinical RN and according to the care plan.
- Supporting patient ambulation and positioning as outlined in the care plan.
- Collaborating with healthcare team members to meet the individualized needs of patients.
- Responding to patient call lights and requests for assistance in a prompt and professional manner.
- Assisting the healthcare team in maintaining a safe clinical care environment for patients, families, and staff.
- Providing post-mortem care as required.
- In collaboration with the Nursing Manager/Director and Clinical Nurse Specialists, identifying and addressing learning needs. Completing annual required training and participating in periodic in-services to enhance knowledge.
- Engaging in performance improvement activities that promote innovative processes to achieve unit targets and extraordinary performance.
Additional Responsibilities as Safety Attendant/Telesitter Monitor:
- Maintaining continuous visual observation without distractions.
- Promptly notifying the care team if a patient requires assistance.
- Monitoring and ensuring patient environmental safety, alerting the care team to any hazards.
- Conducting care checks in accordance with the care plan.
- Adhering to relevant policies.
Further Responsibilities under the direction of department leadership include:
- Answering, screening, and directing incoming calls.
- Facilitating the acquisition of a hard copy of the patient's advance directive if indicated, placing it in the Electronic Medical Record.
- Managing admissions through the Electronic Bed Board.
- Ensuring patient care unit readiness for EMR downtime and facilitating data recovery following downtime.