OR Aide

An OR Aide in Hershey focuses specifically on perioperative support, assisting nursing staff during surgeries, which requires familiarity with sterile environments and surgical protocols. This contrasts with general healthcare aides who might work in broader patient care settings, making OR Aide roles uniquely specialized within Penn State Health's surgical teams.

Key skills include understanding operating room procedures, maintaining sterile techniques, and strong communication with surgical teams. Candidates benefit from prior patient care experience and certifications like BLS, which are essential to safely support patients and staff during surgical interventions in a high-acuity setting.

Many OR Aides leverage their experience to become surgical technologists, nurse aides, or pursue nursing degrees. In Pennsylvania, healthcare facilities including Penn State Health encourage continued education and specialty certifications, fostering career growth through clinical skill enhancement and broader patient care responsibilities.

Penn State Health offers OR Aides comprehensive benefits without waiting periods, including medical, dental, vision coverage, and shift differentials for evenings and nights. This robust package, paired with professional development opportunities, often surpasses typical hospital offerings in the Hershey area.

The hospital provides ongoing training, emphasizing BLS certification and perioperative care standards. Shift differentials reward evening and night work, while a culture of teamwork and excellence ensures OR Aides receive consistent support, adapting to the demands of varying schedules in the surgical environment.

Given Penn State Health's reputation and status as a level 1 trauma center, OR Aide roles are sought-after. The combination of specialized duties, excellent benefits, and career advancement options makes these positions competitive, attracting candidates who value both clinical experience and professional growth.

Hershey’s traffic patterns and proximity to major routes like PA-39 allow relatively manageable commutes to Penn State Health. Prospective OR Aides should consider shift timing, as evening and night differentials might offset transportation costs, and local public transit options are limited, favoring personal vehicle use.

OR Aides at Penn State Health typically earn a base hourly rate aligned with regional standards, supplemented by $2.00/hour for evening shifts and $2.50/hour for night shifts. Overall, the compensation package is competitive for Hershey, reflecting the specialized nature of perioperative support roles.

Penn State Health fosters a respectful and integrity-driven environment, emphasizing teamwork and excellence. For OR Aides, this means working within a supportive, magnet-designated hospital where collaboration and compassionate care are central, enhancing job satisfaction and professional fulfillment.

Applicants with a high school diploma, BLS certification, and at least six months of patient care experience are highly regarded. Additional credentials like CNA certification enhance candidacy by demonstrating practical skills and commitment to quality perioperative patient support.