Surgical Technician

The major duties include but are not limited to:

• Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures including but not limited to: thoracic major vascular general urology plastics ophthalmology and total joint replacement surgery;
• Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment fiber optic equipment laparoscopic equipment etc.;
• Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals to determine positioning for optimum exposure etc.;
• Monitors and maintains sterile field;
• Utilizes universal precautions;
• Understands and follows infection control protocols for handling various specimens supplies and equipment;
• Assists with positioning prepping and setting up the operative field;
• Performs sharps sponge and instrument counts;
• Assists surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts suctioning holding retractors applying skin staples and cutting sutures;
• Assists in training in the operation of equipment sterile technique handling of instruments and operating room procedures;
• Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions;
• Recognizes potentially hazardous situations and takes corrective action;
• Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials; and
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Designated Drug-Testing Position: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.
Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD12591A
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume Transcripts etc
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Qualifications

English Language Proficiency Requirement: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to perform the duties of this position. AND

In addition to the English Language Proficiency to qualify for this position at the GS-7 level you must meet one of the following:

Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Surgical Technician. Specialized experience is experience that requires application of the knowledge methods and techniques to successfully perform the duties of a Surgical Technician including providing assistance to a surgical team during surgical procedures; utilizing knowledge of highly technical medical instruments human anatomy and aseptic technique to prepare and protect the sterile field during surgery; functioning as the primary scrub person handling instruments supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures; preparing organizing and maintaining highly complex sterile surgical setups; observing and responding to each stage of a surgical procedure to anticipate the needs of the surgeon; handling specimens appropriately; and cleaning and decontaminating instruments before and after procedures. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title duties month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR

Education: Successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate education (or 18 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position such as anatomy and physiology surgical technology aseptic techniques etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR

Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position such as anatomy and physiology surgical technology aseptic techniques etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• ATTENTION TO DETAIL
• INFECTION CONTROL
• MEDICAL INFORMATION
• PATIENT CARE

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.

Physical Requirements: The duties of the position regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients most of which are in stages of unconsciousness. There are extensive periods of regular and recurring standing walking bending lifting pushing reaching and prolonged stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments and supplies for the surgeon. The person in this position must demonstrate dexterity in passing instruments to surgeons without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the surgeon.

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at