Summary

The Surgical Technician position is located at the Richard L. Roudebush VAMC Surgery Operating Room (OR) service. The incumbent functions at an advance level with specific and specialized training and skills required in the Surgery work setting. The Surgical Technician (ST) functions independently to provide a wide range of support to the professional nurse and physician in the Operating Room.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 04/30/2026. NOTE: You MUST include qualifying specialized experience employment periods in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time - must include # of hours worked per week). AND - if you have held a Government position - that position's grade level MUST be listed on your resume; Failure to include all requirements in your resume will result in disqualification. Please refer to https://www.usajobs.gov/help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/ for additional information on resume requirements. 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 GS6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include: Utilizing knowledge of medical instruments - aseptic technique to prepare and protect sterile field during surgery; exercising sterile technique to determine the effectiveness of sterilization - packaging - storage - and shelf life; handling medical instruments - supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures; performing proper cleaning techniques - as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies; handling contaminated items - quality control - and personal hygiene - using knowledge of universal precautions and implementing infection control policies and procedures. NOTE: 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. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one (1) full year of graduate education (18 semester hours). 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: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education 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.. 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/. Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients - most of who are at 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 ST 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

• Duties include - but not limited to the following: Receives requests or instructions for procedures and interprets requests or instructions for medical health care personnel
• Handles instruments - supplies - and equipment during surgical procedures such as open heart - thoracic - major vascular - neurosurgery - microsurgery - and total joint replacement surgery
• Secures patients' confidence and cooperation during procedures - explains procedures - positions patients for desired results - and cushions and shields patients as appropriate
• Administers drugs under close control
• Operates and maintains medical instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures
• Sets up the sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air powered equipment - fiber optic equipment - laparoscopic equipment - microscopes - lasers - arthroscopy equipment - urologic equipment - recording devices - etc.
• Observes and responds promptly to each stage of a surgical procedure - anticipating the needs of the surgeon
• Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking - recording and reporting to the supervisor deviations in vital signs - taking specimens - and labeling specimens for the laboratory
• Manages administrative functions of an office
• and Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Available shifts include 7a-3:30p - 7a-5:30p -9a-7:30p with on call required weekends - weeknights - holidays Compressed/Flexible: Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician (OR)/PD03221A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized