Nurse Tech Trainee - No Health Care Experience Required!

MU Health Care; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 22,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

MU Health Care is offering a Nurse Tech Trainee opportunity on-site in Missouri. The program starts with three days of orientation, followed by unit-based training and hands-on patient care experiences.

Trainees will complete BLS certification and UAP training, working alongside experienced professionals as they progress toward CNA certification if chosen. As a Nurse Tech Trainee, you will assist with daily activities, support nursing staff, respond to patient needs, and contribute to a

Qualifications

• Must begin Nurse Tech Trainee pathway with orientation and unit-based training (3 days of orientation and transition to unit training).
• Complete BLS certification within 30 days and UAP training curriculum within 90 days.
• Assist nursing staff and learn under supervision to become a CNA through the trainee pathway.

Responsibilities

• Assist nursing/ancillary staff in daily patient care and routine tasks.
• Respond to patient needs and ensure timely, compassionate care.
• Educate and train new staff on the Care Team Associate role.
• Handle unit communications and deliver messages accurately.
• Support with patient positioning, hygiene, vitals, and specimen handling.

Skills

Patient care

Teamwork

Communication

Attention to detail

Job description

Shift

Various shift options; Days, Nights, Weekends; 24 hours per week (2 12-hour shifts) or more. If you're looking for PRN, please search the career site for available PRN opportunities.

Work Arrangement

On-Site

Department

Various inpatient units - specific department availability discussed during HR phone interview

Facility

Various options: University Hospital - 1 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65212; Missouri Orthopaedic Institute - 1100 Virginia Ave. Columbia, MO 65201; Missouri Psychiatric Center - 3 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65212; Capital Region Medical Center - 1125 Madison Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101; Keene Street Medical Center - 404 N Keene Street, Columbia, MO 65201

Compensation

Base Pay Range: $15.81-$26.31 per hour, based on experience (This position is part of a trainee program. Most candidates enter with limited or no prior healthcare experience and are typically hired at the entry rate for the assigned work location. Current entry rates begin at $15.81 per hour for Capital Region Medical Center and $16.68 per hour for University Hospital)

• Additional $2.00 per hour for evening shifts
• Additional $2.00 per hour for night shifts
• Additional $2.00 per hour for weekend shifts
• Additional $4.00 per hour for weekend evening shifts
• Additional $4.00 per hour for weekend night shifts

ABOUT THE JOB

MU Health Care is looking for motivated individuals who are eager to start a career in healthcare and make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients. Our Nurse Tech Trainee pathway is designed for applicants who do not yet meet the qualifications to work as a Nurse Tech but are ready to gain valuable hands‑on experience while completing their training.

Nurse Tech Trainees begin their journey with three days of orientation and then transition directly into unit‑based training and patient care experiences. While continuing to complete training requirements, including BLS certification and online learning modules, you'll work alongside experienced health care professionals and become an important member of the care team. Successful completion of MU Health Care's Nurse Tech Trainee pathway prepares you for the option to test for the CNA Challenge exam, if you choose.

As a Nurse Tech, you'll help patients with daily activities, support nursing staff, respond to patient needs, and contribute to a compassionate, patient‑centered environment. Whether you're exploring a future in nursing, preparing for a healthcare career, or looking for meaningful work that directly impacts others, this opportunity provides valuable experience while allowing you to earn a paycheck and build your skills from day one.

ABOUT MU HEALTH CARE

MU Health Care is proud to be named one of Forbes' Best-in-State Employers seven years in a row, and that's largely a result of the incredible culture and team we've built. At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard‑working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. Here, we believe anything is possible and rally around solutions. We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger - to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine.

Our academic health system - the only in mid-Missouri - is home to seven hospitals, including the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center and region's only Children's Hospital, as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions - with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.

Learn more about MU Health Care.

Learn more about living in mid-Missouri.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Benefits are for Full-Time Positions)

• Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one
• Generous paid leave and paid time off, including ten holidays
• Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8%and full vesting in three years
• Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%)
• Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more
• See a comprehensive list of benefits here.

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION

• Assist nursing staff /ancillary staff in transferring patients from bed to bed, stretcher or wheelchair, pickup and delivery of patient meal trays, and assisting with patient feeding as directed.
• Demonstrate the ability to organize workload and manage multiple tasks while maintaining a clutter‑free and orderly environment including prompt answering of unit telephones and accurate delivery of messages and information to patients, families, visitors, staff, and personnel upon request.
• Educate and train new staff members in the responsibilities of the Care Team Associate role.
• Perform other duties as delegated by nursing staff and unit management as needed in both routine and emergent situations.
• Perform patient position changes, placement and removal of patient equipment, daily hygiene care, simple non‑sterile dressing changes, finger stick glucose checks, may perform venipuncture to obtain a blood sample, maintain quality control checks, and deliver/retrieve lab specimens and supplies as requested.
• Responsible for accurate and timely entry of information into the bed‑management system.
• Responsible for prompt response to patient call lights and addressing patient needs using positive guest relations skills while ensuring patient vital signs, intake, output, height, and weight were obtained and documented as directed.
• May complete unit/department‑specific duties as outlined in department documents.

NURSE TECH TRAINEE TRAINING PLAN

Employees requiring Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) training will be required to complete the following:

• Complete Nursing Housewide Orientation (NHO) upon hire
• Complete Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days of hire
• Complete the UAP training curriculum within 90 days of hire
• Complete the standard 100‑hour log within 180 days of hire
• Complete competency checklist within 180 days of hire

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. This position is very active and requires ambulating, reaching, and moving objects weighing up to and over 20 lbs.

This role also routinely comes into contact with patients who may have contagious illnesses. This position is in a health care facility open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rotating shifts as well as holiday and work during inclement weather will be required.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.