According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers. | 96% |
| Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds. | 94% |
| Disinfect or sterilize equipment or supplies, using germicides or sterilizing equipment. | 94% |
| Clean equipment, such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, or portable medical equipment, documenting needed repairs or maintenance. | 94% |
| Respond to emergency situations, such as emergency medical calls, security calls, or fire alarms. | 86% |
| Change soiled linens, such as bed linens, drapes, or cubicle curtains. | 86% |
| Collect and transport infectious or hazardous waste in closed containers for sterilization or disposal, in accordance with applicable law, standards, or policies. | 86% |
| Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas. | 86% |
| Transport specimens, laboratory items, or pharmacy items, ensuring proper documentation and delivery to authorized personnel. | 85% |
| Collect soiled linen or trash. | 83% |
| Provide physical support to patients to assist them to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising. | 83% |
| Separate collected materials for disposal, recycling, or reuse, in accordance with environmental policies. | 83% |
| Restrain patients to prevent violence or injury or to assist physicians or nurses to administer treatments. | 83% |
| Carry messages or documents between departments. | 81% |
| Turn or reposition bedridden patients, alone or with assistance, to prevent bedsores. | 81% |
| Take and record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff. | 79% |
| Transport portable medical equipment or medical supplies between rooms or departments. | 78% |
| Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation. | 77% |
| Stock utility rooms, nonmedical storage rooms, or cleaning carts with supplies. | 76% |
| Transport bodies to the morgue. | 75% |
| Stock or issue medical supplies, such as dressing packs or treatment trays. | 75% |
| Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs. | 75% |
| Supply, collect, or empty bedpans. | 57% |
| Serve or collect food trays. | 47% |