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31-1132.00 · Task explorer

Orderlies: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

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.

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This source lists 22 tasks, including 8 marked Core and 14 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 07/2016.

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22 tasks shown

Core · Task 19357 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 19366 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds.

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Core · Task 19356 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Disinfect or sterilize equipment or supplies, using germicides or sterilizing equipment.

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Core · Task 19353 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Clean equipment, such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, or portable medical equipment, documenting needed repairs or maintenance.

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Core · Task 19359 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Respond to emergency situations, such as emergency medical calls, security calls, or fire alarms.

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Core · Task 19351 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Change soiled linens, such as bed linens, drapes, or cubicle curtains.

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Core · Task 19350 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Carry messages or documents between departments.

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Core · Task 19367 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Transport portable medical equipment or medical supplies between rooms or departments.

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Supplemental · Task 19352 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.

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Supplemental · Task 19354 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Collect and transport infectious or hazardous waste in closed containers for sterilization or disposal, in accordance with applicable law, standards, or policies.

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Supplemental · Task 19368 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Transport specimens, laboratory items, or pharmacy items, ensuring proper documentation and delivery to authorized personnel.

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Supplemental · Task 19355 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Collect soiled linen or trash.

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Supplemental · Task 19370 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

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.

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Supplemental · Task 19371 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Separate collected materials for disposal, recycling, or reuse, in accordance with environmental policies.

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Supplemental · Task 19360 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Restrain patients to prevent violence or injury or to assist physicians or nurses to administer treatments.

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Supplemental · Task 19369 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Turn or reposition bedridden patients, alone or with assistance, to prevent bedsores.

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Supplemental · Task 19358 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation.

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Supplemental · Task 19363 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Stock utility rooms, nonmedical storage rooms, or cleaning carts with supplies.

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Supplemental · Task 19349 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.

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Supplemental · Task 19362 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Stock or issue medical supplies, such as dressing packs or treatment trays.

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Supplemental · Task 19365 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Transport bodies to the morgue.

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Supplemental · Task 19361 · 07/2016 · Incumbent

Serve or collect food trays.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.