The Surgical technician (ST) 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 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. Specialized Experience: You must have one 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Experience preparing the outpatient surgical room for a variety of simple to major surgical procedures; stocking, replenishing, and preparing supplies and equipment for use; performing scrub and other support services for simple and major cases; handling instruments, supplies and equipment during surgical procedures; and assisting with receiving surgical patients into the OR and ensuring the safety of patients 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 full (1) year of graduate level education or an internship that is directly related to the work of the position. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education, Must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience to meet total qualification requirements. Note: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. Your experience must be documented in your resume and transcripts are required. 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. ["A. Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures as: thoracic, major vascular, microsurgery, total replacement surgery, major urologic and laser. Set up sterile field with all required items for each procedure, such as air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, laser, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating room supplies and equipment. Plan and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure. Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical sculpts. Observes and responds promptly in each stage of the surgical procedures and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a higher level of concentration for extended periods of time. Utilize universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies and equipment. Assists the team member with care of the patient, i.e., positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies. Handles all specimens appropriately. 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 suctioning holding applying skin staples, and cutting sutures. Prepares prosthesis and surgical device 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. B. Maintains Equipment and Work Area Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Maintains OR area. Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (e.g., fayed cords, water on the floor) and takes corrective action. C. Provides Guidance/Supervision Provides guidance and support to other Surgical Technicians (Operating Room Nursing Assistants). Provides guidance and support to professional and technical students of an approved surgical technology program. D. Other Duties1. Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities.2. Update personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses. Work Schedule: Full Time Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/ PD06671A Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance with lifting and positioning Patients, most of which are at stages of unconsciousness. There are extensive reoccurring instances of standing, walking, bending, lifting and pushing. Reoccurring 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."]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
