HCT - CMH Surgical 4H

Carle Health•Peoria, IL

About The Position

The HCT assists Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses in providing patient care by performing delegated patient-care activities and unit-maintenance duties. The role supports patient comfort, safety, satisfaction, and an orderly, efficiently operating unit while following applicable policies and procedures and working under nurse direction and supervision. Patient-care duties include providing hygiene, nutrition, elimination, skin care, comfort, and activity support; measuring and recording patient information; and performing additional trained and certified skills as directed. The HCT assists with patient admissions, transfers, and discharges, including room setup, orientation, equipment setup, and management of personal belongings. The role makes rounds at least every two hours, responds promptly to call lights, reports pertinent information to the assigned nurse, and completes documentation before leaving the shift. The HCT maintains a neat and safe patient environment, completes assigned cleaning, stocking, equipment, and supply tasks, and runs errands as requested. The role uses time and supplies productively, completes work within the assigned shift, and uses overtime only when requested by designated leadership. It also supports safe patient handling, infection control, quality improvement, teamwork, and respectful communication with patients, families, coworkers, and other hospital personnel. Educational offerings and peer evaluation help maintain and validate patient-care skills.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least one semester of nursing clinical experience; or work as a CNA within the past 24 months; or successful completion of Carle's HCT In Training Program; or relevant medical military training; or completion of CNA coursework within the past 24 months; or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) within 30 days.

Responsibilities

Perform patient-care activities delegated by a nurse, following applicable policies and procedures.
Provide hygiene, nutrition, elimination, skin care, comfort, and activity support to assigned patients.
Measure and record patient information, including intake and output, vital signs, weights, and other specified measurements.
Perform additional skills, such as intermittent urinary catheterization and clean dressing changes, when directed and supervised after training and certification.
Assist with patient admission, transfer, and discharge activities, including room setup, orientation, equipment setup, and handling patient belongings.
Make rounds at least every two hours to check patient comfort, positioning, call-light access, room orderliness, and patient needs.
Respond promptly to call lights and patient and family requests; anticipate needs and alert the nurse when intervention is required.
Report pertinent patient information to the assigned nurse in a timely manner and complete documentation before leaving the shift.
Perform unit-maintenance duties, including keeping patient areas clean and orderly, completing assigned cleaning tasks, stocking supplies, distributing items, and removing discontinued equipment.
Run errands and respond promptly to urgent requests from nursing staff.
Use time, supplies, linen, and other resources productively; prevent waste and complete work within the assigned shift.
Support patient and staff safety through safe lifting and transfers, appropriate use of protective equipment and lift equipment, handwashing, good body mechanics, and prompt reporting of unsafe conditions.
Work cooperatively with nursing staff and peers, accept delegated duties, assist others with assignments, and contribute to department goals and patient satisfaction.
Attend educational offerings to validate skills and maintain current patient-care knowledge; give and receive peer evaluation constructively.
Support quality assurance and patient-care improvement efforts, including attention to patient identification, falls, and infection control.
Communicate respectfully and constructively with patients, families, coworkers, and other hospital personnel.