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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 29, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Certified Nursing Assistant Program-October 2026 Cohort Part-Time Nights Only

Northwestern Medicine · Winfield, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 28, 2026

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

This is a paid five week training program, then you work as a patient care technician. What made you apply?

What they are checking: Whether they want healthcare or want a job, since the program is an investment in them.

Training runs Monday to Friday on second shift for five weeks, then you work nights with every other weekend. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: Honest fit with a schedule the posting states precisely, and the most common reason people drop out.

Tell me about a time you learned something hands-on rather than from a book.

What they are checking: How they learn, since the program is short and largely practical.

Training and clinicals are at Central DuPage in Winfield, and the job afterward is there too. Does that work for you?

What they are checking: Whether they registered the location, which the posting repeats.

Tell me about a time you were the newest person on a team.

What they are checking: How they ask for help, which decides how fast they become useful.

What is your plan after you earn the certification?

What they are checking: Honest ambition, which many in this program have toward nursing.

What would make you stop and ask for help rather than trying?

What they are checking: Whether they know where their edge is before they have one.

What would you do

What do you think a patient care technician actually does on a night shift?

What they are checking: Whether they have looked into the work they are signing up for.

How would you help a patient with bathing or eating while keeping their dignity?

What they are checking: Whether they have thought about what this work means to the patient.

You notice something about a patient that seems off, but you are not sure. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they report rather than decide, which is the most important habit for a new tech.

Practice this interview out loud.

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

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

Are you interested in joining an organization that is committed to supporting your education so you can start your career in healthcare? Northwestern Medicine is offering an exciting opportunity to help you enter the healthcare field as a patient care technician (PCT). Upon hire, you would start our job training program for candidates who are interested in becoming a PCT and earning their certification as a nursing assistant. The program will provide pay and benefits as you start your training program supported by Northwestern Medicine and Valparaiso University. Successful applicants will be enrolled in the training program at no cost and will be paid for their time in training. Following the successful completion of the mandatory program, candidates will transition into a PCT with additional support as they become independent in their role. The minimum service requirement is two years. Training program date: Wednesday, October 28th, 2026 • Training Program Shift/Duration: 2nd shift (Night), 5-week program Monday-Friday • Training Location: Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, Illinois • Clinical Rotation Location: Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, Illinois PCT work location after program completion: Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, Illinois • PCT Shift: Nights • Required to work every other weekend and holiday. PCT Responsibilities : • Performs basic nursing care activities as delegated and supervised by an RN, including monitoring vital signs, taking blood glucose measurements, and recording intake and output. • Assists patients with tending to personal care and activities of daily living, including bathing, grooming and eating. • Reports abnormal findings or changes in physical, mental and emotional conditions to nursing staff. • Assists with keeping patient rooms clean and orderly. • Demonstrates flexibility, organization, and multi-tasking. Able to function under stressful situations. • Utilizes critical thinking skills to successfully demonstrate the ability to prioritize and complete unit work quickly as the needs of the unit, patients and staff change. • Serves as liaison between patient care units and all other patient related departments. • Answers telephone, intercom and call lights in a polite manner using appropriate telephone etiquette and communicates information to the appropriate staff/family/patient. • Manages the overall unit workflow in concert with the charge RN and/or assistant manager, on an as needed basis. • Performs pre-census and validates daily admission, discharge and census lists, on an as needed basis. Required: • High school diploma or GED • Physical ability to perform functional requirements as detailed. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. • A strong interest in entering the healthcare field to provide hands-on care to patients • Commitment to completing the required training program & becoming certified All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Additional Information Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.