The Surgical Technician is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members including surgeons, anesthesia providers, registered nurses, and other members of an operating room team in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: knowledge of highly technical medical/surgical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic technique to prepare and protect the sterile field during surgery, knowledge of a wide variety of complex surgical procedures and possible complications in order to prepare for the procedure, to anticipate the needs of the surgical team, to respond with speed and accuracy, and to report observations and immediate procedural needs to the RN circulator, knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and protocol to select the correct instruments for a procedure, anticipate the needs of the surgeon during the procedure, and on a regular and recurring basis recognize and respond to a variety of critical situations including emergency and life threatening conditions, knowledge of pathology care and handling of specimens correctly are essential for the prevention of damage to or loss of specimens and eventual diagnosis, knowledge of operation and function of all surgical instruments and equipment, testing procedures to assure all equipment works, and proper postoperative decontamination procedures, must know how to prepare instruments for gas and steam sterilization, knowledge of patient safety policies related to patient identification, transportation safety hand off communication and time out procedures in the Operating Room, knowledge of proper patient positioning depending on the types of procedures. There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level. 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. ["Major duties include but not limited to: Prepare and maintain sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating room supplies and equipment. Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure. Provide surgical scrub on all procedures, including minor and major surgeries. Prepares, organizes and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups which include but are not limited to Orthopedic (total joint replacement), Neuro (craniotomies tumors/ aneurysms, laminectomies, fusions), Cardiothoracic (open heart surgery), Vascular (Open surgical repair with vascular stent graft), Robotic procedures (Genitourinary, Gynecological, and General); Bariatric, General Surgery (colorectal); Plastic procedures, Podiatry procedures, LASER technology for various surgical services and/or ENT/ Ophthalmic procedures; all of which require knowledge of complex specialty instruments, equipment and supplies unique to each of the surgical services. Utilizes standard precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment. Assists the team members with care of the patient, i.e., positioning, transporting, prepping, draping and obtaining supplies. Handles all specimens appropriately. Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures. Prepares prosthesis and Surgical devices during procedures. Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating room technology students, and new Operating Room (OR) staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and OR procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures. Functions as the second circulator for complex surgical procedures. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time, Day shift, with rotating call Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/12805-A Physical Requirements and Work Environment: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of which are stages of unconsciousness. There are extensive periods of regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, lifting at least 50lbs, pushing, reaching, and prolonged stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments and supplies for the surgeon. Incumbent must be dexterous in passing instruments to surgeons without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the surgeon. Duties are performed in the operating rooms and other procedural areas which require special OR attire with regular and recurring exposure to toxic and noxious gases such as: methylmethracrylate, glutaraldehyde, exposure to x-rays, and pure oxygen, exposure to blood and body fluids which are often infectious, and laser beams requiring special safety precautions. Appropriate scrub attire is required per the facility policy, including sterile gown and gloves, surgical caps and facial hair coverings to cover incumbent's hair, shoe covers, and surgical mask in order to provide an aseptic environment in the operating room. Incumbent must wear protective eyewear such as goggles or face shield to prevent inadvertent splash injuries to his or her eyes. Appropriate laser glasses must be worn when working with lasers. Incumbent must frequently wear a 20-30 pound lead apron as protection from radiation during various procedures. The operating room can be an exceptionally stressful work environment and the incumbent must be able to provide a high level of care, even when under pressure. Good mental and emotional health is required in order to function at an optimum level."]

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