Summary

The Surgical Technician is a member of the surgical team and assists the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Please select the statement below that best describes your education and/or experience to meet the specific qualification requirements for this position. 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. In addition to the IOR - candidates must meet the specialized experience below: Specialized Experience: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: working in an operating room and setting up a sterile field with all required items for surgical procedures (i.e. - air-powered equipment - fiber optic equipment - laparoscopic equipment - microscopes - lasers - arthroscopy equipment - urologic equipment - recording devices - and other operating room (OR) supplies and equipment - etc.); use proper sterilization and cleaning techniques on instruments and equipment; and assist surgeon by performing such procedures such as skin grafts - suctioning - holding retractors - applying skin staples and cutting sutures. 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. 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.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Anticipate needs of the surgical team
• Handle all specimens appropriately Perform sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy in conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN)
• Assist the surgeon by performing specific procedures (i.e
• preparing skin grafts - suctioning - holding retractors - etc.)
• Assist in training in the operation of equipment - sterile technique - handling of instruments - and/or specific procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures
• Perform non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions
• Recognize potentially hazardous situations (i.e
• frayed cords - water on floor) and take corrective action(s)
• Assess equipment needs and maintain adequate stock of supplies and materials
• Serve as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments - supplies - and equipment during all surgical procedures
• Use proper cleaning techniques and types of detergents to use on various items
• Proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies - handling of contaminated items - quality control and personal hygiene
• Prepare - organize and maintain highly complex sterile surgical setups
• Maintain Operating Room (OR) area
• Plan and discuss each procedure with surgical professionals and ensure all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure
• Respond to surgical team with speed and accuracy during surgical procedures
• Assist the team members with care of the patient (i.e. - positioning - prepping - obtaining supplies - etc.)
• Work Schedule: Based on the needs of the service Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD06637A 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 surgical technician 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
• DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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
• Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.