How to become An Orderly

Orderlies exist because doctors need heroes, too. By helping patients go about their daily activities at a healthcare facility or their residence and by handling a range of daily duties and essential services to assist the nursing staff, an Orderly makes significant contributions to the hassle-free working of the healthcare industry. These non-medical professionals facilitate the recovery process of patients.

• Medical Orderly
• Hospital Assistant
• Patient Care Assistant 
• Certified Nursing Assistant 
• Ward Assistant 
• Nurse Assistant
• Nursing Assistant
• Nurses’ Aide
• Hospital Attendant 
• Patient Care Technician

What do Orderlies do?

An Orderly would typically need to:

• Assist patients by looking after their day-to-day needs, thereby ensuring their safety and comfort; record their vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature and pulse
• Report the patient’s health concerns to the nursing staff and attending physicians
• Assist and carefully move immobile and ill patients on and off wheelchairs, examination or surgical tables, stretchers, and beds
• Transport patients on schedule or urgent requests to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms or other areas in the healthcare facility
• Supply meals to patients and assure that they eat on time
• Take special care of incapacitated or frail patients; assist all patients with eating and drinking; help them with sponging, bathing, changing clothes, using bedpans, visiting the bathroom and other personal hygiene tasks
• Change bed linen; clean and sterilise hospital equipment, such as wheelchairs, stretchers and hospital beds, and other portable medical equipment, keeping it ready for reuse
• Promptly report mechanical failures and equipment wear & tear; document repairs needed and maintenance procedures
• Maintain stocks of supplies
• Be available to assist with any other duties as required

An Orderly typically works in nursing and residential care facilities, clinics and hospitals, or at patients' residences. They spend most of their time in the patients’ rooms or in the intensive care unit (ICU) or other areas where the patient needs to be present for testing, consultation, or medical procedures.

Travel to patients' homes may be required, depending on your assignment. 

Although most Orderlies work full time, part-time work is also available. Orderlies may have to work evening or night shifts and on holidays as inpatient facilities are open round-the-clock. Working hours may also depend on the medical facility’s caseload of various patients. 

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Orderlies can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Orderlies are generally employed by:

• Nursing & Residential Care Facilities
• Hospitals & Clinics
• Academic Institutions
• Ambulatory Surgery Centres
• Government Services
• Nonprofit Organisations
• Institutional Practices

Healthcare associations, such as the International Hospital Federation (IHF), provide unparalleled networking and educational opportunities. They offer all the certification courses members will need throughout their professional careers. Affiliated Orderlies may attend conventions, seminars, and dinners frequented by peers, mentors, and other industry leaders. The events help them keep up with the newest breakthroughs and latest developments in the field, including plum jobs. 

• Physical exertion and possible pain in the legs as Orderlies are constantly on their feet, lifting or carrying patients and attending to their needs
• The need to follow strict protocols and wear safety gear to protect against health threats from exposure to infectious diseases and hazardous substances, such as blood and bodily fluids 
• Lack of work-life balance due to a deep involvement with patient care
• Risk of skin damage and respiratory issues due to contact with cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising agents 
• Musculoskeletal issues and backache caused by handling heavyweight patients
• The risk of slipping and falling on slippery surfaces while moving patient beds or stretchers

Work experience in their local hospital, doctor's surgery, nursing home, or mental health trust helps Orderlies understand some of the physical and emotional demands of a career in the healthcare sector.

Some teaching hospitals also offer work experience in their healthcare departments, specifically for secondary school students interested in a career as an Orderly. It can be a helpful way to gain insights into the field.

While most Orderlies have work experience as certified nursing assistants, some employers accept experience as a sales associate or a cashier. Healthcare apprenticeships are a valuable avenue to gain experience.

Read about the profession, perform community service, undertake relevant research, and interview or job shadow experts working in healthcare to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers. It helps to document any such experiences on letters of recommendation that accompany medical school applications.

It is typically mandatory for aspiring Orderlies to possess a high school diploma or equivalent. They must also complete an education program that introduces them to the basic principles of nursing and allows them to complete supervised clinical work. They may undertake such a program at a community college, vocational or technical school, hospital or a nursing home, making sure it is approved by relevant authorities. 

High school courses in English and mathematics ensure literacy and numeracy skills. Courses in biology and chemistry may also be instrumental in developing a career as an Orderly.

Certification demonstrates an Orderly’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. When acquired from an objective and reputed organisation, it can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and allow you to become an independent consultant. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Nursing assistant and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification will give you an edge in the job market. Specific requirements vary by country. 

Confirm with country-specific boards of nursing or health for mandatory licensing requirements. Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires the passage of an examination in addition to the fulfilment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship.

Certain countries mandate a criminal background check. Typically, a health exam to test for tuberculosis and other diseases may be carried out before an employment decision.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high performance levels may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.

After securing the mandatory certification and completing nursing assistant courses, an Orderly may practice as a Nurse Assistant. They may also take up the job of Data Operator after completing relevant computer courses.

Candidates with the necessary skills and experience coupled with a relevant diploma and certifications have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential in the healthcare sector for public wellbeing and career progression. It embraces several new learning objectives, educational methodologies, and novel technological developments, especially in education, management, and IT.

Reflective learning, interaction with peer groups, comprehensive inclusion, workshops, and professional publications educate, influence, support, and foster lifelong enlightenment in all career-grade Orderlies.

Orderlies typically receive on-the-job training to introduce them to their employer’s policies, procedures and protocols.

Specialisation in taking care of a specific age group of patients or in a particular field such as cardiology or general surgery is also possible. An Orderly could also pursue an interest in pharmacology, physical therapy aid or health studies through online courses, which provide insights into the field and may help you decide whether or not to take it up as a full-time career with further qualifications.

By completing coursework in computers, Orderlies can practise as data operators to help with the administrative work in healthcare set-ups, such as maintaining documents and reports of the patients. 

What Do Orderlies Wear at Work?

The dress code differs depending on the type of medical facility for which you work. Orderlies are typically expected to wear scrubs in white or monochromatic colours or lab coats that instil confidence in patients that they are in good hands. It is helpful to wear water-resistant footwear with closed toes that do not produce excess noise.

Some Pros and Cons of Working as an Orderly

Becoming an Orderly can be a good career choice for people who like to follow routines in a supportive work environment. As an added advantage, if you have previous work-related skills, knowledge or experience, it may be fairly easy to land an entry-level job. However, keep in mind that an Orderly job is low-paying.

Constantly evolving technology is replacing Orderlies with 'companion robots' sporting pleasant faces and human-like voices to assist patients and even provide emotional support.

It takes a multitude of medical professionals and support staff for a healthcare facility to function smoothly. Orderlies minimise the daily and seemingly mundane but critical hurdles in the system. They lead patients to faster recovery during their stay at a medical facility. 

Since healthcare careers are constantly evolving, keep yourself up to date with the latest developments if you want to excel. You must have knowledge of the medical equipment used in providing patient care and be proficient in cleaning and sanitising it and discarding biological waste. You can provide exemplary service using excellent interpersonal skills, empathy, and a caring approach.