Surgical Technician RecruitmentRelocation Incentive Authorized

Major Duties:

• Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of anatomy and multiple complex surgical procedures to anticipate surgeon needs.
• Prepares instruments for the full range of surgical procedures. Sets up for the procedure and handles instrumentation.
• Prepares pathological specimens for appropriate laboratory testing such as permanent fresh frozen and cultures.
• Preforms instrument count sharps and sponge counts according to policy.
• Participates in proper patient identification and surgical site verification using Universal Protocol and Time-Out procedures.
• Assists coworkers to plan and prepare for surgical procedures using equipment properly and supplies effectively.
• Participates and contributes to in-service programs pertinent to the care of surgical patients.
• Coordinates with Environmental Management Services for the cleaning of patient care areas after procedures and educates surgical personnel of environmental sanitation and proper PPE.
• Complies with Infection Control policies and procedures. Educates surgical personnel on aseptic technique hand hygiene and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Reads and adheres to SOPs directives policies and regulations to disassemble and prepare for high level disinfection of reusable medical equipment.
• Preforms proper pre-cleaning of instrumentation and prepare instrument sets and case carts for return to SPS.
• Maintains proper levels of disposable and non-disposable supplies. Ensures that all instruments are maintained in sufficient quantity and in good order.
• Assists in the selection and purchase of instruments supplies and equipment.
• Assists with training military surgical technology students; answers questions pertaining to surgical procedures; PPE; infection control policies and procedures.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• All 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.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 02/06/2026.

Individual Occupational Requirement: Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists speech pathologists medical officers and optometrists. Therefore technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge methods and techniques of the position to be filled.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: using knowledge of highly technical medical/surgical instruments human anatomy physiology and aseptic technique to prepare and protect the sterile field during surgery; applying knowledge of sterile technique must include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization packaging storage and shelf life also includes the proper cleaning techniques and the types of detergents to use on various items as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies handling of contaminated items quality control and personal hygiene; implementing in-Depth knowledge of standard precautions and know how to implement infection control policies and procedures; practicing Knowledge of operation and function of all surgical instruments and equipment testing procedures to assure all equipment works and proper postoperative decontamination procedures; understanding the concepts and applicability of the Joint Commission (TJC) Occupational Safety Health and Administration (OSHA). OR
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-7 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. (Transcripts Required)
  NOTE: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. OR
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-7 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. (Transcripts Required)

Required Experience:

IC