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Operating Room Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Operating Room Intern information

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How much do operating room intern jobs pay per hour?

As of May 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for operating room intern in the United States is $17.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Operating Room Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Operating Room Intern, you need foundational knowledge of surgical procedures, sterile techniques, and basic patient care, usually acquired through coursework in nursing or allied health programs. Familiarity with surgical instruments, operating room protocols, and electronic health record (EHR) systems is often required. Attention to detail, teamwork, adaptability, and effective communication are crucial soft skills in this fast-paced environment. These competencies ensure patient safety, efficient surgical workflows, and successful collaboration with the surgical team.

What are some common challenges faced by an Operating Room Intern during their training period?

Operating Room Interns often encounter challenges such as adjusting to the fast-paced, high-pressure environment and learning to communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists. Interns must quickly become familiar with strict surgical protocols, infection control measures, and the proper handling of specialized equipment. Building confidence while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and time management skills is crucial, as errors can have significant consequences. Support from experienced staff helps interns overcome these challenges and grow professionally.

What are Operating Room Interns?

Operating Room Interns are students or recent graduates who work in hospital operating rooms to gain hands-on experience in surgical procedures and patient care. They assist surgical teams by preparing equipment, maintaining sterile environments, and sometimes observing or shadowing during surgeries. This role allows interns to learn about surgical protocols, teamwork, and the fast-paced environment of an operating room. The internship helps prepare them for further medical or nursing education and future careers in healthcare.

What is the difference between Operating Room Intern vs Operating Room Technician?

AspectOperating Room InternOperating Room Technician
CredentialsTypically enrolled in or recently completed a healthcare-related program; no formal certification requiredCertified or licensed, often with a surgical technologist certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, surgical centers, assisting in surgeries under supervisionOperating rooms, assisting surgical teams with instruments and supplies
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, medical schools, internships for studentsHospitals, outpatient surgical centers, clinics
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles and training opportunitiesClarifying job responsibilities and certification requirements

While Operating Room Interns are typically students gaining hands-on experience under supervision, Operating Room Technicians are trained professionals with certifications responsible for supporting surgical procedures. Interns focus on learning, whereas technicians perform routine technical tasks in the operating room.

What cities are hiring for Operating Room Intern jobs? Cities with the most Operating Room Intern job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Operating Room jobs? The most popular types of Operating Room jobs are:
What states have the most Operating Room Intern jobs? States with the most job openings for Operating Room Intern jobs include:
Operating Room Nurse Internship

Operating Room Nurse Internship

Mission Hospital

Hermitage, TN

$32.75 - $44.50/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Mission Hospital (Asheville) rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

736th of 989 rated hospitals


Job description

The Nurse Residency Program focuses on training licensed Registered Nurses with no prior operating room experience to work in the intra-operative environment. This program is open to nurses who are either new graduates or seasoned nurses with a non-surgical background. This internship prepares nurses with the foundational skills that are essential for providing safe patient care in the operating room.
This program is open to all Nashville area TriStar medical centers including Centennial, Summit, Southern Hills, StoneCrest, Horizon, Skyline, Hendersonville, Greenview and NorthCrest. Residents from all facilities will start the program as a cohort and attend didactic classroom days together. Clinical hours will be completed in the intern's facility and department of hire. For example, if you are hired to work at Skyline, all your clinical hours will be completed at Skyline. An active nursing license in good standing for the state of your hiring facility (Tennessee or Kentucky) is required to begin the program.
Clinical ExpectationsDuring the 5-month program, interns will work five 8-hour days (Monday - Friday). Alternative shifts will be at the discretion of the hiring manager after completion of the program. Clinical start times may vary depending on the schedule of your preceptor. For example, if your preceptor starts their shift at 0630, you will be expected to start at 0630.
This program helps you develop the foundational skills of the perioperative RN. You will still be a novice when you graduate and will continue to gain specialty experiences following completion of the program. Departmental and service line orientation will build on foundational skills learned in the internship program.
Regular rounding and progress meetings will be set with the course instructors, preceptors, and managers to track the resident's progress.
Time and Attendance
Attendance and punctuality are required during the didactic portions of the program. Exceptions for clinical will be made on a case-by-case basis. Missing a day of lecture/simulation is not permitted. For clinical days, please refer to your facility's attendance policy.
Completion Criteria
Nurse Residents must demonstrate successful completion of the following criteria in order to graduate from the internship:
• Completion of all course assignments and objective assessments
• Final grade of 75% or greater
• Professionalism Requirement
• Attend at least one Middle Tennessee Chapter AORN meeting
Residents that do not meet the above criteria must meet with surgery management, preceptor, and education team to develop an individualized action plan, which may include remediation, reassignment, or resignation from the program.
Job Summary and Qualifications
Position Details:

  • Self/preferential scheduling posted four weeks in advance for you to have predictability in your schedule
  • Culture of mutual respect and collaboration among all surgical staff
  • Continuous investment in equipment including surgical instruments, devices and patient positioning for you to do your best work with patient safety and workflow efficiency in the Operating Room
  • Rounding with unit leaders, including charge nurses, to ensure your voice is heard on suggestions for patient care and surgical workflow improvement
  • On-call is required during select non-business hours
What you will do in this role:
  • Evaluate patients prior to surgery
  • Provide patient and family education surrounding the procedure and peri-operative process
  • Assume responsibility for patient preparation, including intravenous therapy, preoperative medications, and surgical site verification
  • Participate in surgical site verification, including briefing, time out, debriefing, and universal protocols, according to hospital policy
  • Recognize and respond to patient emergencies
  • Deliver high-quality, patient-centered care while managing evidence-based practices and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Be an integral member of a dynamic interdisciplinary team - consisting of the provider(s), surgeons, surgical technologists and more
  • Consistently apply the nursing process, critical thinking skills, scientific judgment, technical skills and leadership to independently deliver safe nursing care to patients
  • Assess patient condition, monitor throughout your shift, and document changes in patient condition along with the care provided thoroughly
  • Educate patients and families/caregivers about the patient's medical condition, treatment and follow-up measures
What qualifications you will need:
  • (RN) Registered Nurse
  • Associate Degree
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support, or BCLS Instructor, or CPR must be obtained within 30 days of employment start date
Benefits
TriStar Summit Medical Center, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:
  • Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
  • Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
  • Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
  • Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
  • Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
  • Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts

Learn more about Employee Benefits
Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.
TriStar Summit is a 230+ bed comprehensive facility. We serve Davidson, Wilson and surrounding counties. We include a Level III Trauma Center. We offer a full array of acute care services. These include cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics/spine, rehabilitation and women's services. We are an Accredited Chest Pain Center with PCI. We are a Primary Stroke Center. TriStar Summit is a leading provider of emergency heart and stroke care.
"The great hospitals will always put the patient and the patient's family first, and the really great institutions will provide care with warmth, compassion, and dignity for the individual."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder
Join a family that cares about every stage in your career! We are interviewing candidates for our Operating Room Nurse Internship opening. Apply today and a member of our Talent Acquisition team will reach out.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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