Surgical Technician (Direct-Hire Authority)

Full Job Description

The surgical technician position is located in the VA Ann Arbor Health System Operating Room Suite within the Surgery Service.

The incumbent functions at an advanced level with specific and specialized training and skills required in the Surgery work setting.

The Surgical Technician functions independently to provide a wide range of support to the professional nurse and physician in the Operating Room.

Participates with the surgical team in planning and implementing complex procedures.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/13/2026.

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-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Sets up and maintains sterile field and functions as first scrub handing instruments and supplies to surgeon during procedure.

Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical set-ups. In conjunction with the circulating nurse, performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy.

He/she is responsible for the accountability of all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure.

Opens sterile items and arranges surgical area and equipment for procedure performance Prepare skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, cutting sutures and preparing prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have (1) one full year of graduate education from an accredited school of Surgical Technology.

OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate education.

Preferred: Applicant must be a graduate of an accredited school of Surgical Technology and have worked as a surgical technician.

Prefer AST Certification 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: The Surgical Technician performs the following major duties but not limited to: Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures performed in: Cardiac, Peripheral Vascular, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Orthopedic, Urology, Plastic, Podiatry, Oral surgery, Thoracic, Gynecology, and General Surgery procedures.

Set's up Equipment and Surgical Instrumentation: Determines Technical Factors Sets up and test functionality of equipment such as air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, surgical microscopes, brain navigation systems, lasers, technology advanced robotic surgery, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, and recording devices.

Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are both available and in working order prior to the surgical procedure.

Adjusts equipment controls to clarify readings and prepare for operation.

Performs nontechnical equipment maintenance and cleaning, and pre-treatment for all reusable medical equipment and instrumentation. Coordinates repair of potentially hazardous equipment.

(frayed cords, malfunctioning controls, etc.) with appropriate staff.

Operates equipment and assists surgical team in performance of procedures, able to trouble shoot and adjust, prior to notification of bio-medical engineering.

Positions Patients for Procedures Provides direct patient care by performing the following: Assists nursing staff in room preparation and patient transfer to OR Table as needed Applies positioning aids to table and places patient extremities into the apparatus, if needed Ensures proper positioning and patient safety measures are maintained and in ­place Transports procedure items to operating room and prepositions them.

Opens sterile items and arranges surgical area and equipment for procedure performance. Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical set-ups.

In conjunction with the circulating nurse, performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy.

He/she is responsible for the accountability of 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, cutting sutures and preparing prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures.

Maintains Equipment and Work Areas: Maintains OR area, performs monthly cleaning to storage locations as per hospital policy.

Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials.

Assists in all aspects of supply management, including but not limited to ordering of supplies from logistics and putting them away.

Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (e.g., frayed cords, water on floor) and takes corrective action.

Processes instruments and supplies after surgery Cooperates fully with equipment inventory, including meeting established timelines Cooperates fully in equipment trials and procurement processes.

Provides Guidance Provides guidance and support to health technicians and technical students of an approved surgical technology program, able to demonstrate for the resident team the functionality of the more complex instrumentation, and/or any other novice scrub support staff.

Provides guidance and support to professional and technical students of an approved surgical technology program. Other duties Participates with surgical team members in quality improvement activities.

Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses.

Participates in developing and maintaining appropriate and cost-effective inventory practices Utilizes universal precautions in all work functions Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 9:00AM-5:30PM or 7:00AM-5:30PM (with rotating days off) Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician (Direct-Hire Authority)/PD10426-A 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