Nursing Assistants and Orderlies
Additional Information
Duties
As part of a healthcare team, nursing assistants and orderlies work under the direction of registered nurses and licensed practical or vocational nurses.
Basic care and assistance are provided by nursing assistants. They usually follow these steps:
- Bathe and clean up after the sick.
- Take care of a patient's bathroom and dressing needs.
- Move patients from one bed or wheelchair to another by turning, repositioning, or transferring them.
- Patients' health problems should be heard and recorded, and the nurses should be informed of this information.
- Take blood pressure and temperature readings from patients.
- Help patients eat by bringing them meals.
- Nursing assistants may or may not be able to administer medication, depending on their degree of training and the state in which they work.
Nursing assistants are generally the primary caregivers in nursing homes and assisted living communities. They form bonds with their patients because many of them stay in the same facility for a long time.
The following are typical tasks performed by orderlies:
- Pedal wheelchairs for those who need assistance getting around the institution.
- Well-maintained tools and infrastructure.
- Changing linens is necessary.
- As of this writing, we have sufficient supplies on hand.
Education
State-approved training programs for nursing assistants frequently involve instruction in the fundamentals of nursing as well as supervised clinical practice. A wide range of educational establishments, including secondary and postsecondary institutions, as well as hospitals and nursing homes, provide these courses.
As part of their on-the-job training, nursing assistants learn about their employer's policies and procedures.
At least a high school graduation or equivalent is required for orderlies, and they are often given a brief on-the-job training session.
Registration, Certification, and Licensing
Each state sets its own standards for certified nursing aides. State-issued certification or licensing is often required for nursing aides. Nursing assistants may be required to pass a competency exam in order to utilize state-specific titles after finishing an approved school program. Nursing assistants in some states are referred to as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), however the exact term varies from state to state.
The state maintains a registry of certified nursing assistants. To work at a nursing home, they must be registered with the state.
Continuing education and a criminal history check may also be required by some states, as well as a license. For more information, contact your state's nursing or health board.
For example, a Certified Medication Assistant certificate is available in several states (CMA). Because they are a CMA, they are allowed to give out medication.
To work as an orderly, you do not need a license; however, some positions may require certification in CPR or basic life support (BLS).
Qualities that may matter
Skills in verbal and nonverbal communication. Patients' complaints must be heard and addressed by nursing assistants and orderlies. The need for information exchange with other healthcare professionals is also a must.
Compassion. Patients in need of assistance are cared for by nursing assistants and orderlies. To be effective, they must have a kind disposition.
Patience. Patients' daily duties, such as bathing, feeding, and cleaning, might be tedious. Professionalism is required of nursing assistants and orderlies in order to perform these duties.
Stamina of the body. Nursing assistants and orderlies spend a large portion of their workdays standing up and moving around. They must be able to lift and move patients, among other things.
Pay
In May 2020, the average yearly salary for a nursing assistant was $30,850. There are two extremes of earnings in each given occupation: those earning more than the median and those earning less. The lowest tenth earned less than $22,750, while the top tenth made more than $42,110.
Job Projections
An increase in overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies of 8% between 2020 and 2030 is expected, which is approximately average for all occupations.