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

St. Luke's University Health Network is seeking Graduate Practical Nurses (GPN) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) for a full-time Operating Room Internship program. This competency-based internship is tailored to individual learners and bridges the preparation-to-practice gap, supporting your transition from novice to advanced beginner in the operating room setting.

The LPN in the Operating Room functions as an integral member of the surgical team, providing skilled scrub assistance to support safe, high-quality patient care throughout operative procedures. You will maintain a sterile field, anticipate the needs of the surgeon, and efficiently handle surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment during procedures.

Clinical Setting

Openings are available at select St. Luke's University Health Network campuses:

• Allentown Campus
• Anderson Campus, Easton (Level 1 Trauma Center)
• Grand View Campus (Level 2 Trauma Center)
• Sacred Heart Campus, Allentown
• West End Orthopedic Hospital, Allentown

Responsibilities

• Check supplies and equipment needed for surgical procedures
• Scrub, gown, and glove yourself and members of the surgical team
• Set up sterile tables with instruments, supplies, equipment, and medications/solutions needed for procedures
• Perform appropriate counts with the circulator prior to operation and before incision closure
• Assist with draping the sterile field
• Pass instruments, retractors, suture, and other items to the surgeon during procedures
• Demonstrate ability to 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 following OR safety policies

Program Features

• Dedicated education team
• Progressive arrangement of seminars, workshops, supervised hands-on training, simulation, and clinical observations
• Clinical preceptorship
• Leadership, team building, and conflict management development
• Orientation to the scrub role
• Full-time, competency-based structure

Ideal Candidates

This internship is designed for:

• Practical nurse students with prospective Spring, Summer, or Winter graduation dates who will be eligible to sit for NCLEX-PN and obtain licensure before the internship start date
• Experienced LPNs who have not worked in the operating room setting, preferably with recent hospital experience

Required Qualifications

• Licensed Practical Nurse with current license to practice in Pennsylvania or New Jersey (Warren Campus)
• Current BLS certification

Training and Experience

On-the-job training includes a minimum of 1.5 years with an 8-week concentrated orientation period.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• Sit up to 1 hour per day
• Stand for up to 8 hours per day, possibly 6 hours at a time
• Walk 8-10 hours per day, up to 2 hours at a time
• Continuously use manual dexterity for handling and twisting/turning
• Consistently lift and carry objects up to 10 pounds; frequently lift and carry objects up to 25 pounds
• Frequently push objects up to 100+ pounds (camera carts, microphones, storage carts, etc.)
• Frequently stoop and bend
• Frequently reach above shoulder level
• Ability to move and respond quickly
• Ability to hear normal conversation and high and low frequencies
• Ability to see general, near, far, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception necessary
• Ability to tolerate visual monotony

Application Requirements

Complete your application using your full legal name and current home address. Include employment history for the past seven years, including your present employer. You are encouraged to upload a current resume including all work history, education, and certifications and licenses if applicable.