Rehabilitation Nurse Technician Brain Injury Part Time Evening Shift Sign On Bonus Offered

About the Role

The Rehabilitation Nurse Technician (RNT) reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adhering to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program. The RNT has expertise in the specific needs of patients in the rehabilitation environment, including those with severe chronic conditions and complex disabilities. As a member of the interdisciplinary rehabilitation care team, the RNT supports interventions to help individuals and their families achieve independence and adjust to patients' health conditions. The RNT serves adults and children, assisting with activities of daily living, mobility skills, skin care, bowel and bladder programs, and maintaining a clean, safe environment under the direction and supervision of a professional registered nurse.

This position is 0.6 FTE and offers a $1,500 sign-on bonus (internal transfers and rehires of less than one year are ineligible).

Responsibilities

• Patient Care/Clinical Duties:
  • Collects and reports pertinent physiological, psychological, and functional data based on the patient plan of care or patient need.
  • Assists and instructs patients with personal hygiene and activities of daily living, including showering, promoting maximal independence and skill practice.
  • Performs preventive skin care programs as directed by the RN and reports any changes in skin integrity immediately.
  • Assists patients with bladder and bowel training programs, including post-void residuals and spot bladder scans.
  • Performs straight catheterization for select patient populations under the direction of the RN and provides care for indwelling and external catheters and ostomies.
  • Accurately obtains and documents patients' vital signs/pulse oximetry and communicates any reportable values, symptoms, or signs of distress to the RN.
  • Assists patients with transfers and mobility activities utilizing appropriate techniques, precautions, and assistive devices.
  • Practices therapy transfers and ambulation with patients within safe patient handling guidelines as delegated by the RN.
  • Assists patients with the application of assistive devices and prosthetics/orthoses according to the individual patient plan of care.
  • Assists patients with completing menus, passes patient meal trays and HS snacks, and verifies modified diets as ordered.
  • Accurately calculates and documents calorie count, carbohydrates, intake, and output as ordered.
  • Assists patients with 1:1 feeds as ordered; for patients with dysphagia, cues patient to use ordered swallowing strategies under the direction of the RN.
  • Answers and triages patient call lights, meeting patient care needs with an appropriate sense of urgency.
  • Proactively sets up patient rooms for therapy readiness.
  • Obtains weekly weights on all patients and daily as ordered, using the appropriate method for patients' mobility, and escalates changes as needed.
  • Collects laboratory specimens as directed by the RN.
  • Obtains blood glucose measurements and 12-lead EKGs as ordered.
  • Transfers patients from wall to tank oxygen or tube feedings in preparation for therapy.
  • Provides supervision, activities, or restraint use for patients at high risk for falls or injury.
  • Conducts regular comfort and environmental safety rounding to proactively meet patient needs.
  • Provides de-escalation techniques for agitated and aggressive patient behaviors.
  • Serves as a safety 1:1 for patients as needed.
  • Maintains and organizes unit equipment inventories.
  • Precepts new employees and partners with RNT-certified nursing students during clinical rotations.
  • Performs all other duties as assigned by the nurse manager, nurse supervisor, staff nurse, and charge nurse.
  • Serves on the Cardiac Arrest team performing high-quality CPR.
  • Participates in bedside handoff.
• Quality Improvement:
  • Participates in system and local quality improvement goals.
  • Collects data and audits for Joint Commission readiness and improvement projects.
  • Assists in the maintenance of unit readiness to meet regulatory standards.
• Communication:
  • Maintains a therapeutic relationship to provide optimal customer-focused care.
  • Communicates effectively with patients at a level appropriate to age and cognitive status, showing cultural sensitivity.
  • Interacts effectively with peers and other hospital staff to foster positive working relationships.
  • Effectively triages patient and general concerns to the RN.
• Infection Control/Patient Safety:
  • Contributes to the safe, effective, and professional delivery of patient care, including the use of safety/restrictive devices.
  • Follows Infection Control policies and procedures.
  • Maintains knowledge of policies concerning precautions, codes, conditions, warnings, and general safety procedures.
• Adaptability and Flexibility:
  • Rotates to all units based on patient care needs.
  • Adjusts to changes in policy and procedure, unit, and patient population.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Current Nursing Assistant certification (C.N.A.) or current enrollment in an RN Nursing Program with the successful completion of two clinical rotations.
• Maintains current CPR certification.
• Basic math skills.
• Ability to communicate with a wide variety of people and provide the highest level of customer service.
• Understanding and support of Northwestern Medicine’s Mission and Values.
• Flexibility and ability to manage work in a changing environment.
• 12-lead EKG competency completed within 6 months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2-5 years of work experience in a rehabilitation hospital, acute care hospital, or skilled nursing facility.

Benefits

Northwestern Medicine offers 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. Benefits include tuition reimbursement, loan forgiveness, 401(k) matching, and lifecycle benefits.