Surgical Technician

Summary

The Surgical Technician is assigned to the Ambulatory Surgical Unit within the VA. The Surgical Technician/Technologist, must have the ability to carry out assigned surgical technology duties based on surgical procedure. The Technician accurately recognize, report, and record relevant patient information. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team and the registered nurse.

Duties

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Independently sets-up the sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment, fiberoptic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, fluoroscopic equipment, and other major and minor operating room supplies and equipment Plans and discusses each procedure with assigned surgical team and ensures all supplies and equipment are available prior to the start of the surgical procedur Prepares, organizes, and maintains complex sterile surgical set-ups. Ensures all sterile wrap/packaging have no holes/tears/breaks in packaging integrity. Visualizing chemical indicators have turned. Plan, prepares, organizes, and maintains the field for endoscopic procedures using appropriate aseptic techniques. Sets up the field and maintains asepsis throughout the procedure in accordance with OR policies and procedures, infection control guidelines, and AORN, SGNA, and AAMI standards and recommended practices. Continuously observe aseptic technique. Recognizes and immediately corrects inadvertent breaks in technique. Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time. Utilizes standard precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment. Assists with team members with care of patient, i.e. positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies. Handles specimens appropriately, participates with circulating RN with two-person verification of accurate specimen labeling and confirmation of correct patient identification. Actively participates in Briefing, Time out, and De-briefing process. Performs sponge, sharps, and instrument (when applicable) counts with circulating registered nurse. Accountable for surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure. Ensures all medication/fluids on the surgical field are properly labeled in accordance with Joint Commission/AORN Guidelines. Under direct surgeon supervision: assist the surgeon in draping the patient, assists in keeping the operative site dry, affords the surgeon the best operative exposure of the anatomy, expedites the operative procedure by anticipating the needs of the surgeon and performs other related duties as needed (i.e., shave preps, patient positioning, patient draping, and final prepping). Complies with the SOP for point of use cleaning of surgical instruments at the completion of procedures and takes all instruments used to SPS for decontamination. Recognizes perioperative changes in patient condition or emergencies and takes appropriate actions to assist surgical team with response. Communicates with vendors regarding specific instrument/equipment needs. Assures loaner items are requested/delivered to SPS in a timely manner. Works collaboratively with ASC staff, SPS, Logistics, ASC Coordinator/Designee, and Prosthetics. Completes decontamination and high-level disinfection of the Endoscopy scopes in accordance to all: SGNA, AAMI standards, and VA Directives. Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (frayed cords, water on floor) and takes corrective action, reporting unsafe working conditions/unsafe equipment to appropriate individuals. Maintains clean and safe operating room work area. Utilizes equipment in a safe manner, assesses equipment needs, and maintains adequate levels of supplies and materials. Completes mandatory TMS training, competency demonstrations, safety training, new equipment in-services, and annual review. Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses. Maintain certification as a certified surgical technologist from the Association of Surgical Technologists. Completes decontamination and high-level disinfection of the Endoscopy scopes. Provides guidance and support to SPS staff, new OR providers, nursing, and nursing assistants. Demonstrates outstanding aseptic technique and monitors sterile field to protect against breaks in sterile technique. Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities. Delivers care to patients in respectful, non-judgmental manner. Respects patient privacy and confidentiality. Provides individualized patient-centered care. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD01407A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements

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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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 interest. In 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. Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/19/2026. Your experience must be detailed in your resume to receive full credit. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Experience: You must have one full year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS- 05 in the federal service, that equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of the Surgical Technician position and that is typically in and/or related to the position being filled. One (1) year experience as a Surgical Technician in an acute care facility operating room; minimum of two (2) years experience in an ambulatory surgical operating room with scrubbing knowledge and proficiency in orthopedic surgeries, eye surgeries, and laparoscopic surgeries. Specialized experience includes: Must be able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the functioning of the major body systems to interpret surgeon requests, surgical emergencies and to recognize the need for additional patient care needs. Must possess extensive knowledge of operations and functions of all surgical instruments and equipment, testing procedures to assure all equipment works, and proper postoperative decontamination procedures. Must know proper procedures and safety precautions for high level disinfecting of instruments. Knowledge of asepsis to prepare/protect the sterile field during surgery. And Must have in-depth knowledge of standard precautions and know how to implement infection control policies and procedures. OR: Education: You must have successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate level education or an Internship in a field directly related to 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. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. (School/College Transcripts Required). OR: Experience/Education Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. 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. 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires some moving and transporting of light items such as supplies, papers, books, trays and equipment on a regular and recurring basis. the work involves long periods of moving about the work unit. Work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting and repositioning patients, or similar activities. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by the Department of Education (DOE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the DOE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. How You Will Be Evaluated

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Your 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. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. 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; religions; 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. Other Information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.