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Career Exploration

Orderlies

Also called: Patient Care Assistant (PCA), Patient Care Technician (PCT), Patient Transporter, Transporter

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.
On the job, you'll need:

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

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Concern for Others
  • Self Control
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Cooperation
  • Dependability
  • Social Orientation

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Medical software

  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • Medical record charting software

Electronic mail software

  • Microsoft Outlook

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Average.

New job opportunities are likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $34,520

Education

High school diploma/GED is usually needed.