If a patient care technician is concerned about a coworker's unethical behavior, who should the technician report it to?

Reporting unethical behavior is a crucial responsibility for anyone in a healthcare environment, especially for a patient care technician. The most appropriate course of action in this scenario is to report the concern to the charge nurse. The charge nurse is typically the first line of supervision and is responsible for overseeing the operations of the unit, including staff behavior and patient care quality.

By reporting to the charge nurse, the technician ensures that the issue is addressed promptly within the correct chain of command. The charge nurse has the authority to investigate the situation further, taking appropriate actions to ensure patient safety and uphold ethical standards within the hospital environment. It’s essential for issues to be reported to someone who can act on them effectively and in a timely manner, which is the role of the charge nurse in this context.

While hospital administration, human resources, and patient advocates also play important roles in addressing various concerns within healthcare settings, the charge nurse is specifically positioned to respond quickly to team dynamics and patient care issues. This makes them the most suitable point of contact for immediate resolution.