What You'll Do

  • Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.
  • Carry messages or documents between departments.
  • Change soiled linens, such as bed linens, drapes, or cubicle curtains.
  • Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.
  • Clean equipment, such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, or portable medical equipment, documenting needed repairs or maintenance.
  • Collect and transport infectious or hazardous waste in closed containers for sterilization or disposal, in accordance with applicable law, standards, or policies.
  • Collect soiled linen or trash.
  • 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.
  • Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation.

Essential Skills

Social Perceptiveness 3.38/5
Service Orientation 3.38/5
Active Listening 3.12/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Coordination 2.88/5
Critical Thinking 2.75/5
Writing 2.62/5
Monitoring 2.62/5
Judgment and Decision Making 2.62/5
Reading Comprehension 2.5/5
Time Management 2.5/5
Negotiation 2.38/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.

Common styles

Concern for Others, Self-Control, Stress Tolerance, Cooperation, Dependability

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 3.62/5
Trunk Strength 3.5/5
Oral Expression 3.38/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.38/5
Static Strength 3.38/5
Speech Recognition 3.38/5
Near Vision 3.25/5
Extent Flexibility 3.12/5

Technologies & Tools

Electronic medical record EMR software GE Healthcare Centricity EMR Medical record charting software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Windows

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Concern for Others (High importance: 4.6/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 4.27/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.23/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.13/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.13/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Attendant Cart Attendant Clinical Support Associate Emergency Room Orderly Hospice Entrance Attendant Hospital Corpsman Hospital Orderly Infirmary Attendant Institutional Aide Medical Orderly Medical Transporter New Patient Escort Operating Room Aide Operating Room Assistant Operating Room Orderly Orderly Patient Care Assistant (PCA) Patient Care Associate Patient Care Technician (PCT) Patient Escort Patient Safety Attendant Patient Sitter Patient Transport Aide Patient Transport Orderly Patient Transporter PCT PRN (Patient Care Technician Pro Re Nata) Psychiatric Orderly Radiology Orderly Radiology Transporter Security Orderly Surgical Orderly Transport Aide Transport Technician (Transport Tech) Transportation Aide Transporter Transporter PRN (Transporter Pro Re Nata) Ward Aide Ward Assistant Ward Attendant Ward Helper