Rehab Nurse Tech Ortho Musculoskeletal Unit Full Time Days 12 Hour Shifts

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Wheaton, IL

4d

About The Position

The Rehabilitation Nurse Technician (RNT) works on Three East, a 21-bed unit specializing in orthopedic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. The program treats patients with joint replacements, amputations, arthritis, diseases affecting bones and muscles, and orthopedic trauma. The interdisciplinary team works together to provide care and patient and family education, with the goal of discharging patients to their communities.

Under the direction, delegation, and supervision of a registered nurse, the RNT supports patients with complex disabilities and chronic conditions, helping them and their families build independence and adjust to health changes. The role serves adults and children and includes assistance with daily living, mobility, skin care, bowel and bladder programs, and maintaining a clean, safe environment. Additional technical skills include de-escalation techniques and 12-lead EKGs. The RNT also participates in unit quality projects, equipment inventory and maintenance, and precepting new RNT employees.

This is a 0.9 FTE position with 12-hour day shifts.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Current Nursing Assistant certification (C.N.A.), or current enrollment in an RN nursing program with successful completion of two clinical rotations.
• Current CPR certification.
• Basic math skills.
• Ability to communicate with a wide variety of people and provide a high level of customer service.
• Understanding of and support for Northwestern Medicine’s mission and values.
• Flexibility and ability to manage work in a changing environment.

Nice To Haves

• Two to five years of work experience in a rehabilitation hospital, acute care hospital, or skilled nursing facility.

Responsibilities

• Collect and report relevant physiological, psychological, and functional data according to the patient’s care plan or needs.
• Assist and instruct patients with personal hygiene and activities of daily living, promoting independence and skill practice.
• Perform preventive skin care as directed by the RN and promptly report changes in skin integrity.
• Assist with bladder and bowel training, post-void residuals, and spot bladder scans; perform straight catheterization for select patient populations under RN direction; and provide care for catheters and ostomies.
• Obtain and document vital signs and pulse oximetry, and report concerning values, symptoms, or signs of distress to the RN.
• Assist with patient transfers, mobility, therapy transfers, and ambulation using appropriate techniques, precautions, assistive devices, and safe patient-handling guidelines.
• Help patients apply assistive devices, prosthetics, and orthoses according to their care plans.
• Assist patients with menus and meals, verify modified diets, document calorie and carbohydrate counts and intake and output, provide ordered one-to-one feeding, and cue patients with dysphagia to use prescribed swallowing strategies.
• Answer and triage call lights, respond to patient needs, prepare rooms for therapy, and perform weekly and ordered daily weights using appropriate methods.
• Collect laboratory specimens as directed by the RN; obtain blood glucose measurements and 12-lead EKGs as ordered.
• Transfer patients from wall oxygen to tank oxygen or prepare tube feedings for therapy attendance.
• Supervise patients at risk of falls or injury, use restraints when indicated, provide one-to-one safety observation as needed, and perform comfort and environmental safety rounds.
• Use de-escalation techniques with agitated or aggressive patients and serve on the Cardiac Arrest team, performing high-quality CPR.
• Maintain and organize unit equipment inventories; precept new employees and partner with RNT-certified nursing students during clinical rotations.
• Participate in bedside handoff and perform other duties as assigned by nursing leadership and staff.
• Participate in system and local quality improvement goals, collect data, audit for Joint Commission readiness, and help maintain unit readiness for regulatory standards.
• Maintain therapeutic, customer-focused relationships; communicate appropriately with patients of differing ages and cognitive statuses and with cultural sensitivity; and collaborate effectively with peers and hospital staff.
• Triage patient and general concerns to the RN, follow infection control policies, and comply with applicable safety procedures and policies.
• Rotate among units according to patient care needs and adapt to changes in policy, procedure, unit, and patient population.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Loan forgiveness
• 401(k) matching
• Lifecycle benefits
• A wide range of benefits intended to support physical, emotional, and financial well-being and provide protection for unexpected life events

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED