According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Turn or reposition bedridden patients. | 95% |
| Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs. | 93% |
| Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink. | 92% |
| Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation. | 91% |
| Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff. | 91% |
| Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses. | 90% |
| 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. | 90% |
| Remind patients to take medications or nutritional supplements. | 89% |
| Review patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure patient receives appropriate diet. | 89% |
| Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves. | 88% |
| Observe or examine patients to detect symptoms that may require medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds, or blood in urine. | 88% |
| Supply, collect, or empty bedpans. | 88% |
| Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers. | 88% |
| Communicate with patients to ascertain feelings or need for assistance or social and emotional support. | 87% |
| Set up treating or testing equipment, such as oxygen tents, portable radiograph (x-ray) equipment, or overhead irrigation bottles, as directed by a physician or nurse. | 87% |
| Record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff. | 87% |
| Gather information from caregivers, nurses, or physicians about patient condition, treatment plans, or appropriate activities. | 87% |
| Wash, groom, shave, or drape patients to prepare them for surgery, treatment, or examination. | 86% |
| Prepare or serve food trays. | 86% |
| Change bed linens or make beds. | 85% |
| Exercise patients who are comatose, paralyzed, or have restricted mobility. | 84% |
| Restock patient rooms with personal hygiene items, such as towels, washcloths, soap, or toilet paper. | 82% |
| Administer medications or treatments, such as catheterizations, suppositories, irrigations, enemas, massages, or douches, as directed by a physician or nurse. | 82% |
| Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas. | 82% |
| Assist nurses or physicians in the operation of medical equipment or provision of patient care. | 82% |
| Record height or weight of patients. | 81% |
| Apply clean dressings, slings, stockings, or support bandages, under direction of nurse or physician. | 80% |
| Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds. | 79% |
| Stock or issue medical supplies, such as dressing packs or treatment trays. | 79% |
| Collect specimens, such as urine, feces, or sputum. | 78% |
| Explain medical instructions to patients or family members. | 75% |
| Transport specimens, laboratory items, or pharmacy items, ensuring proper documentation and delivery to authorized personnel. | 72% |
| Provide information, such as directions, visiting hours, or patient status information to visitors or callers. | 67% |
