Occupation

Orderlies

Human Advantage 67%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
4 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

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.

Also Known As: Attendant, Cart Attendant, Clinical Support Associate, Emergency Room Orderly, Hospice Entrance Attendant, Hospital Corpsman, Hospital Orderly, Infirmary Attendant +32 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.
  2. Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds.
  3. Disinfect or sterilize equipment or supplies, using germicides or sterilizing equipment.
  4. Clean equipment, such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, or portable medical equipment, documenting needed repairs or maintenance.
  5. Respond to emergency situations, such as emergency medical calls, security calls, or fire alarms.
  6. Change soiled linens, such as bed linens, drapes, or cubicle curtains.
  7. Carry messages or documents between departments.
  8. Transport portable medical equipment or medical supplies between rooms or departments.

Supplemental Tasks (14)

  1. Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.
  2. Collect and transport infectious or hazardous waste in closed containers for sterilization or disposal, in accordance with applicable law, standards, or policies.
  3. Transport specimens, laboratory items, or pharmacy items, ensuring proper documentation and delivery to authorized personnel.
  4. Collect soiled linen or trash.
  5. Provide physical support to patients to assist them to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising.
  6. Separate collected materials for disposal, recycling, or reuse, in accordance with environmental policies.
  7. Restrain patients to prevent violence or injury or to assist physicians or nurses to administer treatments.
  8. Turn or reposition bedridden patients, alone or with assistance, to prevent bedsores.
  9. Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation.
  10. Stock utility rooms, nonmedical storage rooms, or cleaning carts with supplies.
  11. Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.
  12. Stock or issue medical supplies, such as dressing packs or treatment trays.
  13. Transport bodies to the morgue.
  14. Serve or collect food trays.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
89%
Less than a High School Diploma
7%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
4%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Windows

Software (7)

  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
  • Medical record charting software

Tools & Equipment (28)

  • Adjustable hospital beds
  • Automated blood pressure cuffs
  • Automated external defibrillators AED
  • Desktop computers
  • Electronic patient thermometers
  • Hydraulic patient lifts
  • Laptop computers
  • Manual blood pressure equipment
  • Mechanical stethoscopes
  • Medical examination protective gloves
  • Medical gurneys
  • Medical scales
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Oxygen tanks
  • Oxygen tents
  • Oxygen therapy equipment
  • Patient bed scales
  • Patient limb restraints
  • Patient transfer boards
  • Patient transport wheelchairs
  • Personal computers
  • Portable x ray machines
  • Protective patient restraints
  • Safety razors
  • Shower chairs
  • Specimen collection containers
  • Therapeutic cold packs
  • Therapeutic hot packs

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Physical Health Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Orderlies You are here
Zone 4

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