Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Patient Care Assistant (PCA)
- Patient Care Technician (PCT)
- Patient Transporter
- Transporter
Alternate Job Titles
- 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
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
- 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.
- Carry messages or documents between departments.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Trunk Strength
- Static Strength
- Oral Expression
- Speech Recognition
- Problem Sensitivity
- Near Vision
- Extent Flexibility
- Speech Clarity
- Manual Dexterity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Empathy
- Attention to Detail
- Stress Tolerance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Windows
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable hospital beds
- Automated blood pressure cuffs
- Automated external defibrillators AED
- Desktop computers
- Electronic patient thermometers
- Hydraulic patient lifts
- Laptop computers
- Manual blood pressure equipment
- Mechanical stethoscopes
- Medical examination protective gloves
- Medical gurneys
- Medical scales
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Oxygen tanks
- Oxygen tents
Work Environment
- Contact With Others
- Exposed to Disease or Infections
- Physical Proximity
- Telephone Conversations
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $31,610 |
| Median | $37,700 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $49,570 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 53,020
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Nursing Assistants
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $39,530
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $34,330
Physical Therapist Aides
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $34,520
Home Health Aides
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: Varies
Surgical Assistants
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $60,290
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.