HCT Wknd - Medical/Cardiac Unit CMH

Carle Health•Peoria, IL

About The Position

The Health Care Technician facilitates nursing-unit activities by performing receptionist, transcriptionist, and clerical processes and/or assisting Registered Nurses with delegated patient care and unit maintenance. The role manages information and connects physicians, team members, and visitors with appropriate resources. Under nurse direction, the technician provides patient care, including hygiene, nutrition, elimination, skin care, comfort measures, mobility, and measurements. The position assists with admissions, transfers, and discharges; obtains laboratory specimens; performs bedside testing and associated quality control; and completes additional skills after training and certification when directed and supervised by a nurse. The technician supports an orderly, safe, and efficiently operating unit by maintaining patient rooms and shared spaces, managing supplies and equipment, completing errands, and carrying out clerical and technology-related tasks. The role communicates with patients, families, visitors, physicians, and team members; responds to call lights and requests; and contributes to patient satisfaction, quality improvement, and positive patient outcomes.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

Perform patient care activities delegated by a nurse, following applicable policies and procedures.
Provide assigned patients’ hygiene, nutritional, elimination, skin-care, comfort, and activity needs.
Measure and document patient information, including intake and output, vital signs, weights, drain output, abdominal girth, and hose measurements.
Perform additional trained and certified skills as directed and supervised by a nurse, such as intermittent urinary catheterization or clean dressing changes when applicable to the unit.
Assist with patient admissions, transfers, and discharges, including room setup, orientation, vital signs, height and weight, equipment setup, and management of belongings.
Make rounds at least every two hours, respond promptly to call lights, anticipate patient needs, protect privacy, and report pertinent information to the assigned nurse.
Obtain adequate laboratory specimens and perform bedside laboratory testing and associated quality control according to orders and hospital procedures.
Organize and prioritize work, complete assigned duties within the shift, conserve supplies and linen, and assist colleagues with assignments as needed.
Maintain a neat and safe patient environment and complete unit maintenance tasks, including cleaning designated areas and equipment, stocking supplies, preparing charts and admission packets, and running errands.
Follow patient safety practices, including safe lifting and transfers, appropriate use of protective equipment and restraints, handwashing, and prompt reporting of unsafe equipment or situations.
Complete clerical and unit coordination tasks, including filing chart documents, printing and posting reports and census information, preparing charts, and updating bed-management information for admissions and discharges.
Use unit technology and office equipment accurately, including phones, call-light systems, printers, fax machines, email, and the intranet; understand computer downtime procedures.
Greet and assist visitors, physicians, patients, and team members; answer and route calls and information professionally and courteously.
Adapt to changing unit needs, collaborate with nursing and ancillary staff, and support staffing and teamwork across shifts.
Attend educational offerings, unit and housewide meetings, and committees; maintain current patient-care knowledge and participate in quality improvement.