Will AI replace Orderlies?

AI can do 1% of the work Orderlies do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 1 of them. Robots can technically handle 15 physical tasks. 6 still need a person.

AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.

AI could do this next1 · 1% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Carry messages or documents between departments.1% of time

Robots can technically do this15 · 78% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds.Robots: purpose built settings24% of time
  • Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.Robots: purpose built settings13% of time
  • Clean equipment, such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, or portable medical equipment, documenting needed repairs or maintenance.Robots: purpose built settings7% of time
  • Transport portable medical equipment or medical supplies between rooms or departments.Robots: structured workplaces5% of time
  • Collect soiled linen or trash.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Disinfect or sterilize equipment or supplies, using germicides or sterilizing equipment.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
  • Transport specimens, laboratory items, or pharmacy items, ensuring proper documentation and delivery to authorized personnel.Robots: structured workplaces4% of time
  • Collect and transport infectious or hazardous waste in closed containers for sterilization or disposal, in accordance with applicable law, standards, or policies.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Serve or collect food trays.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Stock or issue medical supplies, such as dressing packs or treatment trays.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Stock utility rooms, nonmedical storage rooms, or cleaning carts with supplies.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Turn or reposition bedridden patients, alone or with assistance, to prevent bedsores.Robots: structured workplaces3% of time
  • Position or hold patients in position for surgical preparation.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Transport bodies to the morgue.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Separate collected materials for disposal, recycling, or reuse, in accordance with environmental policies.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time

Still needs a person6 · 21% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.5% of time
  • 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.5% of time
  • Change soiled linens, such as bed linens, drapes, or cubicle curtains.4% of time
  • Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.3% of time
  • Respond to emergency situations, such as emergency medical calls, security calls, or fire alarms.3% of time
  • Restrain patients to prevent violence or injury or to assist physicians or nurses to administer treatments.1% of time

Your week is not the average

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What this means

Little of this work suits AI. The bigger change here is robots: today's robots can technically do 79% of the working time, though they are rarely cheap enough to replace people yet.

What to do next

  • Get ahead on the 1 task AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 15 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 6 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Nursing Assistants19%Psychiatric Aides28%Home Health Aides8%Personal Care Aides35%Endoscopy Technicians1%Medical Equipment Preparers3%

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