Surgical Technician

Full Job Description

At VA Tampa Healthcare System the Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the surgical team responsible for assisting the surgeon within the operating room environment.

The ST are integral team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgeon and is responsible for all aspects of the technical preparation of and active participation in surgical procedures.

For GS-7: Possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position.

To be creditable, this experience must have been gained to at least the equivalent of the next lower grade level of GS-6 in Federal service.

Specialized experience is performing of a wide variety of complex surgical procedures, medical instruments, and aseptic techniques to protect the sterile field during surgery; and testing procedures to assure all equipment works, and proper postoperative decontamination procedures.

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.

OR Possess at least one (1) full year of graduate level of education with studies directly related to this position.

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.

18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. This education must have been obtained in a college or university.

Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without Transcripts.

OR Possess an equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate level of education as (described above) to meet total experience.

To calculate the combination of experience and education, determine the amount of experience you have as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level.

Then determine the amount of education you have as a percentage of the education required for the grade level.

Add the two percentages; the total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify for the grade level. Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without Transcripts.

In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position.

All 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.

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:

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major Duties: Maintains proficiency in scrubbing for all operative procedures within the scope of the operating room responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures.

Plans and discuss each procedure with surgical professionals and assure that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure.

Prepares prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures and observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedures.

Assists with information sharing for proper documentation and management of emergent situations during surgery.

Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.

Responsible for the accountability of all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure.

Handles all specimens appropriately to ensure accurate identification and preparation of specimens. Identifies unsafe or defective instruments/equipment's and implements appropriate corrective action.

Cleans instruments, equipment, and room as appropriate when procedure is completed and ensures proper disposal of instruments, linen, trash, needles, sponges, and all biomedical waste.

Performs all duties as assigned. Work Schedule: M-F (8am - 4:30pm) Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized