Career Details :: Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants
Description
Provide basic patient care under direction of nursing staff. Perform duties such as feed, bathe, dress, groom, or move patients, or change linens.
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.
Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.
Tasks
- Feeds patients unable to feed themselves.
- Sets up equipment, such as oxygen tents, portable x-ray machines, and overhead irrigation bottles.
- Prepares food trays.
- Bathes, grooms, and dresses patients.
- Measures and records food and liquid intake and output.
- Measures and records vital signs.
- Administers medication as directed by physician or nurse.
- Cleans room and changes linen.
- Stores, prepares, and issues dressing packs, treatment trays, and other supplies.
- Administers catheterizations, bladder irrigations, enemas, and douches.
- Sterilizes equipment and supplies.
- Administers massages and alcohol rubs.
- Transports patient to areas, such as operating and x-ray rooms.
- Turns and re-positions bedfast patients, alone or with assistance, to prevent bedsores.
- Assists patient to walk.
Related Careers
- Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
- Athletic Trainers
- Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
- Flight Attendants
- Home Health Aides
- Medical Assistants
- Physical Therapists
- Psychiatric Aides
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Establishing & Maintaining Relationships
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Job-Required Social Interaction
- Consequence of Error
- Responsible for Others' Health & Safety
- Provide a Service to Others
- Indoors
Related Majors
| Major | Add to XapPack |
|---|---|
| Gerontological Nurse Practitioner |  [ add ] |
| Home Health Advance Practice | [ add ] |
| Home Health Case Manager | [ add ] |
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.