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Patient Care Tech- Observation Part Time Days

Northwestern Medicine · Lake Forest, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 17, 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 noticing a change in a patient that the nurse had not seen.

What they are checking: Whether they actually notice changes in patients and speak up, since techs often see things before the nurse does.

This is part time days. How does that fit what you are looking for?

What they are checking: Whether part-time day hours genuinely fit what they want, because a mismatch in hours often leads to someone leaving soon.

Are you working toward nursing, and how does this role fit that?

What they are checking: Whether they are honest about their goals, since many techs are heading toward nursing and managers want to plan for that.

What would you do

Observation patients are here briefly and may go either way. How does that change how you work?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that observation patients may be discharged or admitted quickly, which changes how closely they watch and report.

You take a set of vital signs that are clearly abnormal. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they report clearly abnormal vital signs to the nurse right away, rather than rechecking repeatedly or waiting for rounds.

How do you decide what to do first when your nurse and a patient both need you?

What they are checking: Whether they can sort competing needs quickly and sensibly, because prioritizing well is what a patient care tech does all shift.

How do you explain to a patient that you cannot answer a question about their results?

What they are checking: Whether they know where their role stops and can redirect questions kindly, which observation patients waiting on results test constantly.

About the work

Walk me through obtaining a twelve lead EKG on a patient who cannot lie still.

What they are checking: A named duty in the posting, and practical skill rather than a certificate.

Talk me through discontinuing a saline lock or an indwelling catheter.

What they are checking: Two delegated tasks the posting names that not every tech has done.

How do you collect, label and transport a specimen so nothing goes wrong?

What they are checking: Labeling, which is the most serious error available in this task.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Patient Care Tech reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. Responsibilities: Performs a variety of clinical/patient care related functions, under the direction of the clinical RN or physician that provide support to patients and staff including but not limited to the following: • Collects, labels and transports specimens as assigned. • Obtains 12 lead EKG’s • Discontinues Saline Locks and Indwelling Urinary Catheters • Discontinues Telemetry Monitoring packs • Performs Bladder Scan • Performs Point of Care Testing as appropriate • Assists patients with personal hygiene and nutritional needs as identified on patient's plan of care. • Performs hourly patient rounding in collaboration with the clinical RN. • Obtains and documents patient care data as directed by the clinical RN and as noted in the plan of care. • Assists with patient ambulation and positioning as directed in the plan of care. • Assists the health care team members in meeting the individualized needs of the patient. • Responds to patient call lights and request for assistance in a professional and timely manner. • Assist the health care team in maintaining a clinical care environment that supports patient, family and staff safety. • Assists with post mortem care. • In collaboration with the Nursing Manager/Director, Clinical Nurse Specialists/Nurse Clinicians and NM Academy identifies and meets learning needs. Completes annual required training and updates knowledge through periodic in-services. • Participates in performance improvement activities that advance innovative processes to achieve unit targets and exceptional performance. Additional Responsibilities as Safety Attendant/Telesitter Monitor • Maintains visual observation at all times with no distractions • Provides prompt notification to care team if patient requires assistance • Monitors and maintains patient environmental safety, and notifies care team if any hazards are discovered • Performs care checks in accordance with care plan • Follows appropriate policy Additional Responsibilities under direction of department leadership include but not limited to: • Answers, screens and directs incoming calls. • Facilitates obtaining a hard copy of the patients advance directive if patient indicated he/she has one and places in Electronic Medical Record. • Manages admissions through Electronic Bed Board. • Assures patient care unit readiness for EMR downtime and facilitates data recovery following downtime. Required: • High school diploma or equivalent. • Completion of an accredited CNA program and listed on the state of Illinois CNA Registry OR Nursing student who have successful completed one clinical rotation. Must provide written verification of successful completion of said rotation. • BLS through American Heart Association. 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. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more. Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): 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 at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.

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