Surgical Technician (Operating Room)

DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.

Duties include but may not be limited to the following:

Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments supplies and complex equipment during all surgical procedures such as open heart thoracic major vascular neurosurgery microsurgery transplantation gynecology urology ophthalmology otolaryngology plastic surgery a full range of general surgery cases minimally invasive procedures orthopedic surgery and robotics.

• Plan and discuss each procedure with surgical professionals and assure that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure.
• Assists the team members with care of the patient i.e. positioning transporting prepping draping and ensuring patient safety via participation in surgical time out processes. The ST is responsible for ensuring sterility is maintained during the procedure by monitoring for breaches in technique of the surgical team.
• Handles all specimens appropriately.
• Utilizes standard precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens supplies and equipment.
• In conjunction with the circulating registered nurse (RN) performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy. responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure.
• Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts suctioning holding retractors applying skin staples and cutting sutures. Prepares prothesis and surgical devices during procedures.
• Provides transportation of patients to and from the Operating Room as assigned.
• Functions as second circulator for complex surgical procedures.
• Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions.
• Maintains rules and regulations of restricted and semi-restricted areas of the OR suite.
• Provides guidance and support to OR Nursing Assistants and other STs.
• Supervises volunteers aides non-surgical team members students and other personnel.
• Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician (Operating Room)/PD24148A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincolns promise To care for those who have served in our nations military and for their families caregivers and survivors - by serving and honoring the men and women who are Americas Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define who we are our culture and how we care for Veterans their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity Commitment Advocacy Respect and Excellence (I CARE).

As a VA professional your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips.

For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs go to Serve those who have served our country.

• 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 identification 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)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your probationary period period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 07/23/2026.

Individual Occupational Requirements: 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 requires 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: Assisting surgical team with patient positioning prepping and setting up the operative field. Providing transportation of patients to and from the surgical/operating room. Recognizing changes in patient condition and takes appropriate actions in response to the situations. Providing guidance and support to staff regarding infection control and patient safety protocol. Preparing prosthesis and/or surgical devices during procedures. Preparing organizing and maintaining highly complex sterile surgical setups. Monitoring and maintaining sterile practices throughout surgical procedures. OR
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the surgical technician position. 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: You must have a combination 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. Equivalent combination 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.


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

Required Experience:

IC