Graduate Practical Nurse (GPN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Operating Room Internship (Opportunities At Select Campuses)

St. Luke's University Health Network•Harleysville, PA

15d

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the Operating Room is an integral member of the surgical team, providing skilled scrub assistance to support safe, high-quality patient care during operative procedures. The role maintains a sterile field, anticipates the surgeon’s needs, and handles surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment. It also involves handling specimens, medications, and sharps according to established policies. The LPN demonstrates clinical competence, attention to detail, patient-safety awareness, and effective collaboration with the interdisciplinary surgical team while upholding the organization’s mission, values, and standards. The full-time, competency-based internship is tailored to each adult learner. It includes support from a dedicated education team and a progressive arrangement of seminars, workshops, supervised hands-on training, simulation, clinical observations, and clinical preceptorship. The program is oriented to the scrub role and develops leadership, team-building, and conflict-management skills. It is intended to help participants bridge the preparation-to-practice gap and transition from novice to advanced beginner. The internship is conducted at various St. Luke’s University Health Network sites and is supervised by the Operating Room Internship coordinator. After successful completion, the intern will work in a St. Luke’s Operating Room Department caring for patients across their lifespans. Openings vary by campus availability, including Allentown, Anderson, Grand View, Sacred Heart, and West End Orthopedic Hospital campuses.

Requirements

Current Licensed Practical Nurse license to practice in Pennsylvania or New Jersey for the Warren Campus.
Maintain current BLS certification.
Practical Nurse students should have prospective spring, summer, or winter graduation dates and be eligible to sit for NCLEX-PN and obtain licensure before the internship starts.

Nice To Haves

Experienced LPNs who have not worked in an operating room setting are ideal applicants.
Recent hospital experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Check supplies and equipment needed for surgical procedures.
Scrub, gown, and glove self and members of the surgical team.
Set up the sterile table with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications or solutions, and ensure they are in good working condition.
Perform appropriate counts with the circulator before the operation and before the incision is closed.
Assist with draping the sterile field.
Pass instruments, retractors, sutures, and other items to the surgeon during procedures.
Anticipate the needs of the surgical team.
Maintain the highest standard of sterile technique during procedures.
Handle surgical specimens appropriately and safely.
Handle sharps and medications according to operating room safety policies.