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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 30, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Patient Care Tech- Surgical Inpatient Part Time Nights

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

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 29, 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

Part time nights. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: Honest fit with the schedule the posting states.

Tell me about noticing a change in a patient the nurse had not seen.

What they are checking: Whether they watch patients, since techs spend the most time with them.

What would you do

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

What they are checking: Whether they report immediately, which is the most important thing a tech does.

How do you respond to a call light when you are already in another room?

What they are checking: The posting names timely response to call lights, which is the constant tension of the shift.

How do you help a patient with personal care while keeping their dignity?

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

About the work

Which of these can you do today without supervision: twelve lead EKG, bladder scan, removing a saline lock, removing a foley?

What they are checking: An honest inventory against the specific skill list the posting names.

Walk me through obtaining a twelve lead EKG on a post-surgical patient.

What they are checking: A named duty, and lead placement decides whether the trace is worth reading.

How do you help a patient move for the first time after surgery?

What they are checking: The posting names ambulation and positioning, which on a surgical floor is the main physical work.

What does hourly rounding actually involve when you do it properly?

What they are checking: The posting names hourly rounding in collaboration with the RN, and it is easy to do as a signature.

How do you collect and label a specimen so nothing goes wrong with it?

What they are checking: The posting names specimen collection, and a mislabeled sample changes a diagnosis.

Practice this interview out loud.

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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.