About the job
The Patient Care Technician embodies the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Memorial. This role requires strict adherence to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, alongside compliance with all pertinent policies, procedures, guidelines, as well as regulatory and accreditation standards.
As a Patient Care Technician, your primary responsibility will be to assist and support the Professional Registered Nurse in various aspects of direct and indirect patient care activities. You will function as an integral member of the unit staff under the guidance and supervision of a Professional Registered Nurse.
Key Responsibilities:
- Direct Patient Care Activities:
- Assist with the admission, transfer, and discharge processes.
- Measure and record vital signs including temperature, pulse, respirations, weight (for adults and/or neonates), height, and blood pressure.
- Monitor and document patient intake and output, including output from drains.
- Utilize cardiac monitoring and oximetry equipment.
- Perform EKGs and adhere to infant security protocols.
- Conduct normal newborn hearing screenings and capillary blood glucose tests.
- Perform phlebotomy and apply fetal monitoring equipment on pregnant patients.
- Discontinue heplocks and Foley catheters; administer enemas.
- Collect specimens (urine, stool, blood, and sputum) for adults and/or neonates. Make patient rounds, anticipating their needs and observing newborns in the nursery.
- Respond promptly to patient call lights, especially emergency alerts.
- Distribute fresh drinking water and nourishments; assist patients with meals as necessary, including feeding normal newborns.
- Provide morning care, bed baths, and evening care according to established nursing procedures.
- Offer newborn care including bathing, dressing, obtaining footprints, and assisting with feeding (bottle and breast), glucose checks.
- Make occupied and unoccupied beds.
- Assist patients with ambulation and educate them on the use of walkers, canes, and crutches as required for the assigned unit.
- Facilitate pre-and post-operative care, positioning patients as ordered, applying safety equipment, and utilizing proper body mechanics for lifting and turning patients.
- Implement comfort and safety measures (side rails and call lights).
- Set up oxygen and suction equipment along with other respiratory devices for adults and/or neonates.
- Apply dressings for Stage I and Stage II skin breakdown.
- Prepare patient rooms for physician or RN assessments, evaluations, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures. Assist with procedures in the normal newborn nursery.