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Patient Care Technician Surgical Care Center Full Time Days

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

Posted Oct 5, 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

The unit is in the top decile for patient satisfaction. What do you personally do to make a patient's stay better?

What they are checking: Whether they see small acts like responsiveness and explanation as part of their job.

You've got 12-hour day shifts from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on a 49-bed unit. How do you pace yourself to stay sharp the whole time?

What they are checking: Stamina and organization on long, physically demanding shifts with rotating weekends.

Tell me about a time you had to prioritize many tasks when the unit's needs kept changing.

What they are checking: Critical thinking and reprioritizing, which the posting names directly.

Tell me about a time you worked with a nurse to solve a problem for a patient.

What they are checking: Teamwork with the RNs who direct their work on a high-performing unit.

What would you do

A post-op patient's blood pressure is much lower than it was this morning, and they say they feel lightheaded. What do you do?

What they are checking: Recognizing a possible complication and getting the RN right away instead of finishing the round.

A patient refuses to get out of bed because they're in too much pain. What do you do?

What they are checking: Encouraging mobility with empathy while letting the RN know pain may need to be addressed.

About the work

This unit cares for patients recovering from orthopedic and general surgery. What do you think those patients need most from a tech in the first day or two after surgery?

What they are checking: Understanding of post-op priorities like pain, mobility, fall risk and early warning signs.

How do you help a patient stand and walk for the first time after a hip or knee replacement?

What they are checking: Safe mobility after joint surgery, using the right equipment and following weight-bearing orders.

How do you keep intake and output accurate for a patient with a drain and a catheter after surgery?

What they are checking: Careful recording of fluids that the care team uses to judge recovery and complications.

How do you watch for signs of infection or a blood clot when you're caring for surgical patients?

What they are checking: Knowing common post-op complications well enough to report changes like calf pain, fever or wound drainage.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

Full-Time Days 6am-6pm with rotating weekends CDH Surgical Care Center (2 B/C) • 49 Unit caring for post-surgical, acute care patients recovering from a variety of orthopedic and general surgeries • We are proud to be in the country’s top decile of patient satisfaction! In addition, over 50% of our nurses have a professional nurse certification 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. Under the supervision of an RN performs basic patient care activities. 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. Watch this video for more information Be Part of Better: What It’s Like to Work at Northwestern Medicine - YouTube : https://youtu.be/TqEULZ0fc9o #LI-RS1 #NMBetter Required: • High School Diploma or equivalent • Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Medical Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, or nursing school students with one semester of clinical completed • American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Preferred: • Phlebotomy experience • Graduate of an accredited Nursing Assistant program or Graduate of Phlebotomy course 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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