Health Professions and Related Programs
Health Aides/Attendants/Orderlies
Colleges award this field under 6 named programs, from Health Aide to Health Aides/Attendants/Orderlies, Other.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 6 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Health Aide
- Prepares you to provide routine care and assistance to patients under the direct supervision of other health care professionals, and/or to perform routine maintenance and general assistance in health care facilities and laboratories.
- Home Health Aide/Home Attendant
- Prepares you to provide routine care and support services for homebound disabled, recovering, or elderly people. Covers basic nutrition, home sanitation, infection control, first aid, taking vital signs, personal hygiene, interpersonal communication skills, supervised home management, emergency recognition and referral, geriatric care, and legal and ethical responsibilities.
- Medication Aide
- Prepares you to administer prescribed medications; observe and report patient reactions and side effects; and perform related emergency and recording duties under the supervision of nurses and/or physicians. Covers basic anatomy and physiology, common medications and their effects, taking vital signs, oxygen administration, medication administration and application, record-keeping, and patient observation.
- Rehabilitation Aide
- Prepares you to assist in rehabilitation services under the supervision of occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other therapeutic professionals, and to perform routine functions in support of rehabilitation. Covers roles and responsibilities of rehabilitation providers, basic function of the human body, disabling conditions, therapeutic skills, client management, and communication skills.
- Physical Therapy Technician/Aide
- Prepares you to assist in rehabilitation services under the supervision of physical therapists, and to perform routine functions in support of physical therapy and rehabilitation. Covers applied kinesiology, basic function of the human body, communication skills, principles and procedures of physical therapy, physical therapy modalities, and professional ethics.
- Health Aides/Attendants/Orderlies, Other
- Prepares you to provide routine patient care and assistance.
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Nursing Assistants
- Median pay
- $42,260
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.6%
- Job openings a year
- 196,200
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career Growing with the economyHealthcare Support Workers, All Other
- Median pay
- $48,430
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.8%
- Job openings a year
- 14,100
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyPhysical Therapist Aides
- Median pay
- $35,240
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.0%
- Job openings a year
- 6,400
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing slowlyPsychiatric Aides
- Median pay
- $44,910
- Hiring change through 2035
- 1.9%
- Job openings a year
- 4,900
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyOccupational Therapy Aides
- Median pay
- $39,160
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.6%
- Job openings a year
- 600
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Most careers connected to this field involve in-person work. About 94 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.