Lehigh Valley Health Network Careers
LVHN is proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™, which means an overwhelming majority of our colleagues have a positive experience here. It also means LVHN is among the best places to work in the nation.
Start here. Grow here.
Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) offers career paths for those with no previous experience in health care. Start a career and grow with support from LVHN every step of the way.
LVHN is a great place to work from hire to retire. Whatever your goal may be, LVHN has an opportunity to get you there. From professional development offerings and internal advancement to educational discounts and tuition reimbursement, the possibilities for growth with LVHN are limitless.
Explore Career Paths at LVHN
Explore career paths at LVHN based on your knowledge, skills, abilities, interests and career goals. Start a career and grow with support from LVHN every step of the way.
Jump to:
Foundational Careers at LVHN
Foundational roles are entry-level roles that do not require previous experience and allow you to develop your interests and begin an exciting and rewarding career in health care. Our training and orientation are there to support you every step of the way to ensure success in your new role.
Foundational roles lead to many paths in health care. Read about these roles to find the best match for your interests, skills and qualifications.
As an administrative partner, you work in the hospital on an inpatient unit. This role does not involve patient care. However, you interact with nurses, doctors and members of the care team and perform tasks on the computer that support patient care. You are the first person a guest interacts with on the unit when they visit loved ones in the hospital.
Requirements: Minimum age 18 or high school diploma/GED
As a member of the care team, patient care partners support a registered nurse in caring for patients in a hospital. You will provide direct care. Examples of direct care include phlebotomy (drawing a patient’s blood and collecting specimens for lab testing), electrocardiogram or EKG (recording the heart’s electrical signal to check for different heart conditions), recording vital signs (checking temperature, pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure) and supporting personal hygiene (feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking).
Requirements: Minimum age 18 or high school diploma/GED
As a mental health aide, you sit with patients on the behavioral health unit in the hospital. You observe their behavior and provide regular updates to the registered nurse. Your role is very important to maintain a safe environment for patients and caregivers.
Requirements: Minimum age 18 or high school diploma/GED
In this role, you sit with patients in the hospital. You observe their behavior and provide regular updates to the registered nurse. You maintain clear communication with the care team about any risks or safety hazards you observe and assist with patient personal care (feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking). Your role is very important to maintain a safe environment for patients and caregivers.
Requirements: Minimum age 18 or high school diploma/GED
From the emergency room to inpatient units to operating rooms and everywhere in between, patient transporters make sure patients get where they need to be and engage with our patients on a personal level. Transporters meet patients when they are admitted to the hospital and they are the last person patients may see as they are discharged from the hospital. When patients need tests or treatments that are not provided in their hospital room, patient transporters safely move patients via wheelchair, stretcher or hospital bed.
Requirements: Minimum age 18 or high school diploma/GED
As a certified nursing assistant trainee, you will be hired by LVHN as a patient observation assistant and participate in the 128-hour nursing assistant certification program paid for by LVHN.
As a member of the care team, certified nursing assistants support a registered nurse in caring for patients in a hospital. You will provide direct care. Examples of direct care include recording vital signs (checking temperature, pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure), performing tests or treatments and supporting personal hygiene (feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking).
Requirements: Minimum age 18 or high school diploma/GED
Lehigh Valley Physician Group’s (LVPG) medical assistant program provides all the training you need – with no experience or college degree required – and at no cost to you. The traditional MA trainee program offers the most flexibility in timeline and choice in school. You choose the program that fits your schedule. LVPG covers the cost of your tuition and hires you to work in the doctor’s office. The accelerated MA trainee program provides a fast, full-time option to get you certified and working as soon as possible.
As a medical assistant, you support all functions of a doctor’s office. Your responsibilities include escorting patients to an exam room, collecting patient history, performing medication refills, administering vaccinations and performing point-of-care testing. You also schedule patient appointments and obtain referrals while supporting patient care.
Requirements: Minimum age 18 or high school diploma/GED
In the operating room, a sterile processing technician is responsible for cleaning, decontaminating, sterilizing, packaging and processing surgical instruments and devices that surgeons use during a procedure. You may perform clerical support duties and other tasks as needed.
Requirements: Minimum age 18 or high school diploma/GED
A respiratory therapy assistant provides support to the respiratory therapist in the hospital by ensuring equipment is clean, available, properly assembled and in working condition. You also support patient care tasks needed for the safe, timely and effective care of patients.
Requirements: Minimum age 18 or high school diploma/GED
A physical therapy aide assists with patient check in, sets up and cleans patient exercise areas and helps patients exercise under the supervision of a licensed member of the care team.
Requirements: Minimum age 18 or high school diploma/GED
A pharmacy technician uses the computer to collect patient and medication information to process prescriptions. You assist the pharmacist in technical duties related to filling prescriptions, monitor medication inventory levels and place orders to restock.
Requirements: Minimum age 18 or high school diploma/GED
A courier transports assigned items such as supplies, packages, mail and medical records to and from hospitals, doctor’s offices, community medical centers, suppliers and other locations within and/or outside the health network.
Requirements: Minimum age 18 or high school diploma/GED, valid Pennsylvania or New Jersey driver’s license and good driving record
A guest services representative greets and helps all visitors and patients in a professional, friendly and responsive manner when they arrive and leave LVHN hospitals. You answer all patient and visitor questions as they arrive to the hospital lobby. You use a computer to verify information provided by guests and follow proper phone etiquette when answering phone calls from visitors or guests.
Requirements: Minimum age 17
Registered nurse (RN)
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients about various health conditions. RNs work in hospitals, physician offices, home health care services and other health care settings.
Follow the RN career path at LVHN:
Nursing support roles work directly with patients, allow you to develop your interests and jump-start your career in health care. These roles include patient care partner, mental health aide, patient observation assistant, patient transporter, nurse assistant and more. Our training and orientation will help you succeed in your new role. When you are ready to start nursing school, take advantage of LVHN’s tuition reimbursement program, scholarships and education discounts. You will receive personalized support from LVHN’s academic career consultant as you pursue education to advance your career.
As you work toward a degree in nursing, you can gain valuable experience at LVHN as a nurse extern. Collaborate with registered nurses, physicians, patient care partners, physical therapists and other professionals to provide high-quality care as members of the care team. After freshman year, students are invited to join LVHN as Nurse Extern I. Orientation sessions are held in May, June and December. After sophomore year, students transition to Nurse Extern II and explore interests through shadowing opportunities in specialty areas. The summer after junior year, students transition to Nurse Extern III and work directly with an RN to care for assigned patients.
As a newly licensed nurse, learn from knowledgeable, experienced educators and preceptors and apply your skills in a specialized clinical setting. Complete LVHN’s Nurse Residency Program, the first nurse residency program in Pennsylvania to receive “Accreditation with Distinction” from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Our 12-month program provides an opportunity to receive focused professional development and build on what was taught in school.
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients about various health conditions. RNs work in hospitals, physician offices, home health care services and other health care settings. Nurses who care for patients in the hospital record symptoms, reactions and progress, and administer treatments and examinations.
Radiology technologist
A radiology technologist performs radiologic exams for patients under the direction of a physician.
Follow the radiology technologist career path at LVHN:
Foundational roles include administrative partner, patient care partner, mental health aide, patient observation assistant, patient transporter, respiratory therapy assistant, physical therapy aide, courier, guest services representative and more. Foundational roles allow you to develop your interests and jump-start your career in health care. Our training and orientation will help you succeed in your new role.
When you have one year of experience in an office setting, you can work in a radiology support role to perform clerical duties for scheduling and reception in the radiology department. You are an important member of the care team as you support patients and their families, physicians and administrative staff to keep the office running smoothly.
In this support role, you will learn about radiology as you process physician orders, exam requests and patient information. You are an important member of the care team as you support patients and their families, physicians and administrative staff to keep the office running smoothly.
With an associate’s degree in a health science program or completion of an accredited radiography program, you can become a radiology tech. In this role, you perform radiologic exams for patients under the direction of a physician. Take advantage of LVHN’s tuition reimbursement program, scholarships and education discounts to become a registered radiologic technologist. You will receive personalized support from LVHN’s academic career consultant as you pursue education to advance your career.
Respiratory therapist
Respiratory therapists administer all forms of respiratory care and manage respiratory and pulmonary care for patients in the hospital.
Follow the respiratory therapist career path at LVHN:
Foundational roles include administrative partner, patient care partner, mental health aide, patient observation assistant, patient transporter, respiratory therapy assistant, physical therapy aide, courier, guest services representative and more. Foundational roles allow you to develop your interests and jump-start your career in health care. Our training and orientation will help you succeed in your new role.
After you receive your high school diploma or GED and are enrolled in school to become a respiratory therapist, you can work as a respiratory therapy assistant. In this role, you support the respiratory therapists by maintaining important equipment needed to care for patients. As you pursue an advanced degree, take advantage of LVHN’s tuition reimbursement program, scholarships and education discounts. You will receive personalized support from LVHN’s academic career consultant as you pursue education to advance your career.
As a respiratory therapy student enrolled in a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)-accredited respiratory therapy education program with an internship class in the curriculum, you can work at LVHN as a respiratory therapy intern. This position gives you the opportunity to develop your patient assessment and critical thinking skills while you complete school.
After earning your degree from a registered respiratory therapist program accredited by the Commission of Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoArc), you will work as a respiratory therapist to administer all forms of respiratory care and manage respiratory and pulmonary care for patients in the hospital. LVHN will support you to earn your registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care.
Rehabilitation sciences professional
Rehabilitation sciences professionals, including physical therapists, speech language pathologists and occupational therapists, evaluate, plan, direct and administer therapy programs to restore function, prevent disability and help patients reach their maximum level of independence.
Follow the rehabilitation sciences professional career path at LVHN:
Foundational roles include administrative partner, patient care partner, mental health aide, patient observation assistant, patient transporter, respiratory therapy assistant, physical therapy aide, courier, guest services representative and more. Foundational roles allow you to develop your interests and jump-start your career in health care. Our training and orientation will help you succeed in your new role.
When you have one year of patient care or customer service experience, you can work as a rehabilitation partner or rehabilitation support technician. In this role, you support patients alongside members of the care team. You care for your patients’ well-being under the direction of a licensed clinician. After you complete an associate’s degree in occupational therapy or physical therapy, you are qualified to become a physical therapy assistant or certified occupational therapy assistant.
Physical therapy assistants (PTAs) provide a variety of physical therapy techniques as they carry out a patient’s care plan, including therapeutic exercise, functional training, deep soft tissue massage, and physical modalities such as electrotherapy and ultrasound. PTAs may also assist the physical therapist by working with individuals to prevent loss of mobility by implementing fitness and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles. Certified occupational therapy assistants (COTA) work under the direction of an occupational therapist to guide patients’ activities and exercises, often using specialized equipment, to help them achieve or recover their full, independent and healthy lifestyles after injury or disability. While an occupational therapist may diagnose and prescribe certain treatments, COTAs are mostly responsible for directly working with the patient to achieve the treatment goals.
Take advantage of LVHN’s tuition reimbursement program, scholarships and education discounts to become a physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech language pathologist. You will receive personalized support from LVHN’s academic career consultant as you pursue education to advance your career. Working as a physical therapist, speech language pathologist and occupational therapist requires a bachelor’s degree at minimum, but preferably a master’s or doctorate degree. Rehabilitation sciences professionals evaluate, plan, direct and administer therapy programs to restore function, prevent disability and help patients reach their maximum level of independence.
Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) manages individualized, evidence-based nursing care through use of the nursing process and the principles of primary nursing in accordance with departmental and hospital policies and procedures.
Follow the LPN career path at LVHN:
Foundational roles include administrative partner, patient care partner, mental health aide, patient observation assistant, patient transporter, respiratory therapy assistant, physical therapy aide, courier, guest services representative and more. Foundational roles allow you to develop your interests and jump-start your career in health care. Our training and orientation will help you succeed in your new role.
- Medical assistant (MA) trainee: Lehigh Valley Physician Group’s (LVPG) medical assistant program provides all the training you need – with no experience or college degree required – and at no cost to you. The traditional MA trainee program offers the most flexibility in timeline and choice in school. You choose the program that fits your schedule. LVPG covers the cost of your tuition and hires you to work in the doctor’s office. The accelerated MA trainee program provides a fast, full-time option to get you certified and working as soon as possible.
- Medical assistant (MA): As a medical assistant, you support all functions of a doctor’s office. Your responsibilities include escorting patients to an exam room, collecting patient history, performing medication refills, administering vaccinations and performing point-of-care testing. You also schedule patient appointments and obtain referrals while supporting patient care. Take advantage of LVHN’s tuition reimbursement program, scholarships and education discounts to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). You will receive personalized support from LVHN’s academic career consultant as you pursue education to advance your career.
- Licensed practice nurse (LPN): In a doctor's office, an LPN provides care to designated patients within the Pennsylvania Licensed Practical Nurse Scope of Practice. LPNs coordinate care and participate in quality improvement projects.
- Certified nurse assistant (CNA) trainee: As a certified nursing assistant trainee, you will be hired by LVHN as a patient observation assistant and participate in the 128-hour nursing assistant certification program paid for by LVHN. As a member of the care team, certified nursing assistants support a registered nurse in caring for patients in a hospital. You will provide direct care. Examples of direct care include recording vital signs (checking temperature, pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure), performing tests or treatments and supporting personal hygiene (feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking).
- Nurse assistant: Provide hands-on personal care and support activities of daily living according to the care plan as directed by the registered nurse. You provide other support services as a member of the care team in the hospital. Take advantage of LVHN’s tuition reimbursement program, scholarships and education discounts to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). You will receive personalized support from LVHN’s academic career consultant as you pursue education to advance your career.
- Licensed practical nurse (LPN): In the hospital, an LPN manages individualized, evidence-based nursing care through use of the nursing process and the principles of primary nursing in accordance with departmental and hospital policies and procedures.
Behavioral health specialist
As a member of the care team, a mental health technician assists with individual patient care and group therapy for patients in the hospital for behavioral health treatment.
Follow the mental health technician career path at LVHN:
Foundational roles include administrative partner, patient care partner, mental health aide, patient observation assistant, patient transporter, respiratory therapy assistant, physical therapy aide, courier, guest services representative and more. Foundational roles allow you to develop your interests and jump-start your career in health care. Our training and orientation will help you succeed in your new role.
As a mental health aide, you sit with patients who are on the behavioral health unit in the hospital. You observe their behavior and provide regular updates to the registered nurse. Your role is very important to maintain a safe environment for patients and caregivers.
When you have at least six months of direct care experience (including individual or group counseling skills), one year of experience in a behavioral health setting and a minimum of one year of college, you can work as a mental health technician. As a member of the care team, mental health technicians assist with individual patient care and group therapy for patients in the hospital for behavioral health treatment. Take advantage of LVHN’s tuition reimbursement program, scholarships and education discounts to become a mental health specialist. You will receive personalized support from LVHN’s academic career consultant as you pursue education to advance your career.
When you complete a master’s degree in counseling, social work or other clinical discipline such as psychology, you are ready for the mental health specialist role. As a mental health specialist, you provide psychiatric treatment by considering the mind, body, social and environmental needs of each patient.