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Patient Care Technician - Spinal Cord Innovation Center (22nd Floor), Full-Time, Days

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab · Chicago, IL · $16.60–$27.45 an hour · Full time

Posted Jun 10, 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

Why is it important to let a patient direct their own care, even if they cannot do it physically?

What they are checking: Understanding that patients learning to direct caregivers is a real rehab goal for going home.

Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team to care for a patient who needed a lot of help.

What they are checking: Teamwork on a unit where many tasks need two or more people.

How do you stay safe and avoid injury in a physically demanding role?

What they are checking: Use of proper body mechanics and equipment instead of lifting patients alone.

What would you do

A patient with a high spinal cord injury suddenly says they have a pounding headache and their face is flushed. What do you do?

What they are checking: Recognizing possible autonomic dysreflexia and getting the nurse immediately, since it can become an emergency.

A young patient with a new injury is angry and refuses care. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Compassion for grief and anger after a life-changing injury, while still making sure needs are met.

A patient's family is learning to help with care. How do you support them?

What they are checking: Encouraging and showing families how to help so they feel ready for discharge.

About the work

The Spinal Cord Innovation Center cares for patients who may be paralyzed. How would you position a patient in bed to protect their skin?

What they are checking: Knowledge of turning schedules and pressure relief for patients who cannot feel or shift their weight.

How do you help with a bowel or bladder program while protecting the patient's dignity?

What they are checking: Comfort with intimate care routines that are central on a spinal cord unit.

Walk me through using a mechanical lift to move a patient with no leg function.

What they are checking: Safe lift use, sling placement and teamwork that protect patient and staff.

How do you check a patient's skin, and what would you report?

What they are checking: Spotting early redness or breakdown over bony areas before it becomes a serious wound.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together. Job Description Summary The Patient Care Technician provides basic daily care to patients and support of significant others. Performs various service duties and routine technical tasks such as assisting patients with basic hygiene and daily living activities. Maintains patient care areas in a clean and orderly condition. Provides nursing care, which is appropriate for the age and development of the patient. The Patient Care Technician consistently demonstrates support of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab statement of Mission and Philosophy by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the institute. The Patient Care Technician demonstrates Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, and Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties. Job Description The Patient Care Technician: • Performs various activities in the treatment and care of patients, including routine hygiene care., ingestion of food and fluids, elimination of body wastes, mobilization, and dressing/undressing. • Performs and records routine technical tasks as authorized, such as collecting routine specimens, taking vital signs, collecting and recording intake and output and blood glucose, giving suppositories, performing intermittent catheterization, measuring bladder volume, hanging gastric feedings, and escorting patients. • Collects and reports pertinent physiological, psychological, and functional data based on patient plan of care or patient need. • Orients the patient and family to the environment, therapeutic activities, and potential safety hazards and prevention strategies as identified by the registered nurse. • Incorporates factors related to safety into delivery of patient care as directed by the registered nurse. • Implements interventions consistent with the plan of care as directed by a registered nurse. • Observes patients and reports reactions or changes in patient condition to registered nurse. • Assists in transferring patients and patient care equipment to other specified areas. • Documents functional care, procedures, and other quantitative values in nursing database. • Assists in monitoring supply needs to ensure adequate inventory at bedside. • Performs all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of SRAlab. Reporting Relationships • Reports directly to the Nurse Manager or designee. • Reports indirectly to registered nurse involved with care of patients. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required • High school diploma or equivalent required. • CNA Certification or current enrollment in an accredited nursing program required. • Work requires successful completion of the Patient Care Technician orientation. • Demonstrates competency in applying the principles of the growth and development of infant, child, adolescent, young adult, middle-aged adult and geriatric patients. • Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication. • Proactively takes ownership for serving the customer, team, and organization for achieving goals and for resolving problems. • Willingly adapts to changing work demands and work environment. • Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition. • Anticipates assesses and addresses the needs of patients, internal and external customers to positively influence the patient/customer experience (directly or indirectly). • Ability to transfer and position patients, consistent with lifting up to 35 lbs. Working Conditions • Normal patient care environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature. • Exposure to moderately adverse working conditions in performing certain patient care activities. • Occasional exposure to infectious diseases when working with patients. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Pay and Benefits*: Pay Range: $16.60 - $27.45 Benefits: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: https://www.sralab.org/benefits *Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role. Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law. EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law - Know Your Rights | View our Full Policy Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.

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