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Patient Care Tech- Ortho/Neuro Full Time Nights

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

Posted Sep 23, 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 a time you worked closely with a nurse to care for a difficult patient.

What they are checking: Whether they communicate well with the RN and work as a real partner.

How do you help a patient with limited mobility with eating and hygiene while still encouraging independence?

What they are checking: Whether they support recovery by letting patients do what they safely can.

Tell me about a time you stayed calm when a patient was confused or combative.

What they are checking: Whether they use patience and de-escalation, which is common with neuro patients.

What would you do

An ortho patient wants to get out of bed by themselves at 2 a.m. and they are on fall precautions. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they respond quickly and safely, since falls after surgery cause serious injury.

You notice a neuro patient's speech seems slurred when it was fine an hour ago. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they treat a sudden neuro change as urgent and alert the nurse immediately.

How do you handle hourly rounding on nights when most patients are asleep?

What they are checking: Whether they check on safety needs without waking patients unnecessarily.

About the work

How do you safely reposition a patient who just had spine surgery?

What they are checking: Whether they know logroll technique and to follow specific orthopedic and neuro precautions.

Walk me through how you collect, label and send a specimen.

What they are checking: Whether they label at the bedside with two identifiers, since mislabeled specimens cause serious errors.

What would you do if a patient's telemetry pack came off and you were asked to discontinue it?

What they are checking: Whether they confirm the order with the RN and follow steps instead of assuming.

How do you take care of your own body when lifting and moving patients all night?

What they are checking: Whether they use lift equipment and body mechanics, since injuries take techs off the floor.

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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. 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.

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