Health Technician (Surgical Tech)

Full Job Description

The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgeon and registered nurse.

A surgical technician possesses expertise in theory application of sterile and aseptic techniques and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a surgeon's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/23/2026.

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 GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Working in an operating room, assisting surgeons during medical procedures, 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.); Handling highly technical medical instruments during surgery; Using human anatomy, physiology and aseptic technique; Handling specimens correctly; Prepare and protect the sterile field during surgery; Work with complex surgical procedures and possible complications; Report observations and immediate procedural needs; Recognize emergent complications; Operate the sterilization machine and use of proper cleaning/sterile technique for high level disinfecting of instruments; Proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies and handling of contaminated items, quality control and personal hygiene; Implement infection control procedures; Store instruments and supplies properly to maintain sterility.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have.

Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position.

Note: must attach a copy of your transcripts. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond. AND In Addition To the Specialized Experience Applicant must meet the required IOR.

Individual Occupational Requirements 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.

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.

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/.

Major Duties:

Major duties include, but are not limited to: These guidelines list the major duties but are not all inclusive of the functions the OR Surgical Technician will be expected to perform.

The Surgical Technician provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members in designated areas and OR suite and surgical clinic.

Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in his or her assigned services area.

Transports patients pre-operatively and post-operatively and procedures needed supplies, drugs, blood, reports and equipment.

Functions as a primary scrub person on all surgical procedures, handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as thoracic, vascular, orthopedic, EENT, etc.

Under supervision of the RN, assists in circulating functions, performing instrument and sponge counts and accounting for surgical instruments and equipment during surgical procedures.

Gathers and communicates technical data to the RN.

Participates in the preoperative role by evaluating the needs of the surgical patient and assisting in patient positioning and preparation of specialized support equipment that is necessary for the most complex surgical procedures.

Anticipates, recognizes and resolves the unfamiliar situations or deviations from standard protocol, policies, procedures and completed informed consent, availability of specific equipment.

Actively participates with the RN in developing a plan to meet the needs and expectations of the various surgical teams.

Demonstrates self-composure and effective interpersonal skills, when relating/communicating with diverse personalities, difficult situations.

Plans and discusses surgical procedures with the surgical team and ensures all needed supplies and equipment are available.

Practices principles of sterile technique, preparing instrumentations independently and with direct supervision, utilizing aseptic technique, maintaining a sterile field intraoperatively.

May be responsible in training aseptic techniques to other service technicians. Provides basic nursing care for patients undergoing procedures while maintaining patients privacy.

Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples and cutting sutures.

Prepares prostheses and surgical devices during procedures. Anticipates, detects and responds to deviation from normal in the patients, which can result in an emergent situation.

Observes and responds promptly to each stage of surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time.

Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, surgical technology students, and new OR staff in operating equipment, sterile technique, handling instruments, and OR procedures (including the scrub role in surgical procedures).Also provides guidance and support to students and other surgical technicians.

Identifies, initiates and implements new preference cards/new case cart systems, working independently with SPD, following policy, when new procedures are preformed personnel are able to project possible equipment, specialty instruments that might be utilized and are able to assimilate that knowledge and set up case carts, which entails identifying expendable soft goods, instrument sets, technological support.

Maintain established competencies for area of assignment. Actively participates in and promotes education opportunities for the service.

Initiates and implements in-services related to inter-service needs with the OR collaborates with SPD/GU/Ortho techs.

Identifies and actively participates in departmental programs for cost containment and risk management. Initiates, reviews and updates supply levels, evaluating and adjusting as needed.

Communicates and interacts appropriately with adult and geriatric patients and visitors and displays courteous, compassionate, caring, and respectful behavior when interacting with all others (staff, students, etc.) Also has access to printed and electronic files containing so sensitive data which has been protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statues and policies, and VHA.

The incumbent is responsible for protecting that data from unauthorized release or loss, alteration, or deletion and to follow applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files as set out in c computer agreement the employee has signed.

Utilizes the computer on a daily basis for various functions, reading and sending mailman messages, requesting leave, entering appropriate patients information.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm and on call after hours, weekends, holidays. Telework: This position not authorized for telework.

Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Surgical Tech)/PD01185A