Every hospital, clinic, and nursing home relies on a team of skilled staff to provide personal care to patients; nursing assistants and orderlies are an important part of that team. Under the supervision of nursing staff, nursing assistants provide basic care for patients, while orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas. Nursing assistants answer patient call signals, turn or reposition bedridden patients, and ensure each patient receives the appropriate diet. They help patients with daily living activities such as getting out of bed, using the bathroom, bathing, and walking. Nursing assistants measure vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature. They observe and listen to patients’ health concerns, then document and share them with supervising nurses. Orderlies move patients between bed and wheelchair or gurney, change bed linens, stock supplies, and clean facilities. Most nursing assistants work in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and in home health care. Most orderlies work in hospitals. Nursing assistants and orderlies typically work full time. Their work is physically demanding, with long hours spent on their feet and lifting and moving patients, so injuries are a risk. Work schedules that include nights, weekends, and holidays are common. Nursing assistants must complete state-approved training, lasting from a few months to a year, then pass their state’s certification exam. Orderlies typically have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and receive on-the-job training.
What they do:
Transport patients to areas such as operating rooms or x-ray rooms using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds. May maintain stocks of supplies or clean and transport equipment. Psychiatric orderlies are included in Psychiatric Aides.
On the job, you would:
Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.
Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds.
Disinfect or sterilize equipment or supplies, using germicides or sterilizing equipment.
Business
customer service
Safety and Government
public safety and security
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
talking to others
Social
looking for ways to help people
understanding people's reactions
Physical Strength
use your lower back and stomach
lift, push, pull, or carry
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
communicate by speaking
Endurance
exercise for a long time without getting out of breath
People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
Concern for Others
Self Control
Stress Tolerance
Cooperation
Dependability
Social Orientation
You might use software like this on the job:
Operating system software
Microsoft Windows
Medical software
Electronic medical record EMR software
Medical record charting software
high school diploma/GED usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
$30,030
$22,260
$44,550
You might like a career in one of these industries:
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