In hospitals and mental health facilities, an orderly is a nursing assistant who ensures the comfort, safety, and general well-being of patients. He or she might assist someone in getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, and moving around. An orderly frequently serves meals and, when necessary, assists patients with eating and drinking. He or she may also help someone prepare for an examination or surgery. Patients’ conditions and the best treatment plans are frequently discussed orderlies with caregivers, nurses, and physicians.
Many hospital patients are unable to perform basic tasks due to illness or injury. Patients are assisted with bathing, dressing, eating, sitting, and standing orderlies. Other tasks that an orderly may perform to improve a patient’s hospital stay include assisting a patient in getting into a wheelchair and taking him or her for a walk around the facility. Orderlies frequently form close friendships with their patients, conversing casually with them while performing their duties. Orderlies may be qualified to administer medication, clean and dress wounds, and perform other basic nursing functions in some hospitals.
Many of the same tasks as hospital orderlies are performed orderlies in psychiatric wards, as well as ensuring the safety and security of patients and staff. Some patients in mental health facilities are highly unstable, exhibiting unpredictable and violent behavior. Orderlies are usually in charge of controlling violent outbursts, restraining patients when necessary, and reporting incidents to psychologists and hospital management.
A person with a high school diploma is usually required to work as an orderly. Orderlies who have completed nursing assistant training programs at community colleges or vocational schools are preferred some hospitals. New orderlies may be required to attend training classes provided their employers to learn about the fundamentals of the job, how to deal with various types of patients, and what to do in an emergency. Orderlies also typically receive informal, on-the-job training from experienced professionals.
In hospitals and psychiatric wards, skilled orderlies are in high demand, as they are in most health-care professions. Orderlies who can perform basic nursing tasks like checking and recording vital signs are in particularly high demand to relieve pressure on busy doctors and nurses. An orderly may be able to pursue a career in nursing or another medical profession with enough experience and continuing education.