Nursing Assistants and Orderlies

Nursing Assistants and Orderlies typically perform the following tasks: • Turn or reposition bedridden patients. • Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs. • Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink. • Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff. • Provide physical support to assist patients to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising. • Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses. • Remind patients to take medications or nutritional supplements. • Review patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure patient receives appropriate diet. • Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves. • Observe or examine patients to detect symptoms that may require medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds, or blood in urine. • Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers. • Supply, collect, or empty bedpans. • Communicate with patients to ascertain feelings or need for assistance or social and emotional support. • Record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff. • Gather information from caregivers, nurses, or physicians about patient condition, treatment plans, or appropriate activities. • Wash, groom, shave, or drape patients to prepare them for surgery, treatment, or examination. • Prepare or serve food trays. • Change bed linens or make beds. • Exercise patients who are comatose, paralyzed, or have restricted mobility. • Restock patient rooms with personal hygiene items, such as towels, washcloths, soap, or toilet paper.