Surgical Technician

The primary purpose of the position is to provide assistance to the surgeon and other members of the team during surgical procedures. The incumbent assists in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. He/She will have varying duties and responsibilities dependent on the needs of the direct care providers, nurses, and patient care demands. These responsibilities may include clerical support duties for a variety of processes and activities.

Duties to include but not limited to the following: Technical Support Duties: The incumbent of the position will Function as a Primary Scrub Person: Responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as: thoracic, major vascular and total joint surgery. Sets up a sterile field with all required items for each procedure i.e., air powered, fiber optic, Laparoscopic, arthroscopy, and urologic equipment, microscopes, 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. Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex surgical setups. Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipated the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time. Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment. Assists team members with care of the patient i.e., positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies. ls available to start emergency procedure within one hour of being called back when performing on-call duties. Handles all specimens appropriately. In conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse performs sponges, sharps, and instrument counts to verify accuracy. Responsible for the accountability of all surgical instruments and equipment used during the surgical procedure. Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors and cutting sutures. Prepares prostheses and surgical devices during procedures. Fully participates in the "Time Out" and other patient safety programs. Assists in training students and new operating room staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and OR procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures. Functions as a second circulator for complex surgical procedures. Non-Technical Support Duties: Maintains Environment, Equipment and Specific Supply Items. Monitors and maintains OR area including overall cleanliness, temperature, humidity, crash cart and other emergency equipment and supply items. Ensures cleanliness and performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunction. Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. Recognizes potentially hazardous situations, i.e., frayed cords. water on floor and takes corrective action. Put away supplies and send unused instruments to Sterile Processing Services. Clean and return any equipment, positioning supplies, etc. from ORs. Clean/dust equipment that remains in the OR (i.e. ESU cart, tourniquet, SCDs, computer keyboard, mouse, etc.). Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday; to be discussed during the interview. Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD03561A Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of which are in 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. 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.

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation Designated and/or random drug testing may be required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required 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. Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We do not accept PDF portfolio files. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-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 , your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.