What Do Orderlies Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Orderlies 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. They also lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Clean equipment, such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, or portable medical equipment, documenting needed repairs or maintenance.
• Respond to emergency situations, such as emergency medical calls, security calls, or fire alarms.
• Change soiled linens, such as bed linens, drapes, or cubicle curtains.
• Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.

We asked Orderlies how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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62% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 75% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Orderlies transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds. They separate collected materials for disposal, recycling, or reuse, in accordance with environmental policies.

• Clean equipment, such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, or portable medical equipment, documenting needed repairs or maintenance.
• Disinfect or sterilize equipment or supplies, using germicides or sterilizing equipment.
• Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.
• Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.
• Transport portable medical equipment or medical supplies between rooms or departments.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Orderlies also take and record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff. They may also supply, collect, or empty bedpans.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Orderlies Respond to emergency situations, such as emergency medical calls, security calls, or fire alarms. They might also Turn or reposition bedridden patients, alone or with assistance, to prevent bedsores.

In addition, they Restrain patients to prevent violence or injury or to assist physicians or nurses to administer treatments.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Transport bodies to the morgue.

To some Orderlies, it is also their responsibility to Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Orderly, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm

http://www.nahc.org/