Surgical Technician

Full Job Description

The Surgical Technician (ST) functions as 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 general supervision of the surgical team.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/26/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Individual Occupational Requirements -- Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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.

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: Setting up sterile field with all required items such as air-power equipment, fiber optic equipment, microscopes, lasers, etc.

Making sure all supplies and equipment are available prior to surgical procedure. Assisting the surgeon during surgical procedure.

Handling specimens, supplies, and equipment following universal precaution and infection control policies. Assisting with patient care, i.e., positioning, prepping, etc.

Maintaining correct count of instruments used during procedures. Providing customer service in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.

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 year of graduate education (18 semester hours or equivalent), or an internship in course matter with a major that included courses directly related to the work of the Health Technician position.

OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-7 level.

You must have an equivalent combination of related graduate level education and specialized experience to meet the total experience requirement.

To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned).

Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-07.

For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e.

50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: Setting up sterile field with all required items such as air-power equipment, fiber optic equipment, microscopes, lasers, etc.

Planning and discussing procedures with surgical professionals. Making sure all supplies and equipment are available prior to surgical procedure. Preparing and maintaining sterile surgical setups.

Assisting the surgeon during surgical procedure. Handling specimens, supplies, and equipment following universal precaution and infection control policies.

Assisting with patient care, i.e., positioning, prepping, etc. Assisting surgeon in such procedures as; preparing skin grafts, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures.

Maintaining correct count of instruments used during procedures. Performing non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Assessing supplies and materials to maintain adequate stock.

Providing customer service in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Providing customers with information according to policies and procedures.

Making sure computer system security and confidentiality of sensitive information is maintained.

Work Schedule: Variable shifts; typically, Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm or four 10-hour shifts, 7:00am - 5:30pm (40 hours per week).

Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD11576A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of which are 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.