This position is within the Surgical Care Line at Puget Sound VA Health Care System located in Seattle, Washington. The Surgical Scrub Technician (SST) provides patient care and assistance to the Registered Nurse (RN) and surgeons, and is under the direct supervision of an RN. The SST is responsible for preparation of the operating room for a variety of simple to major surgical procedures with a thorough knowledge of sets of instruments, equipment and supplies.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. English Language Proficiency: Individuals serving in direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): 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. Qualifications GS 7: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: Prepare, organize, and maintain highly complex sterile surgical setups; Follow all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment; Plans and discuss each procedure with surgical professionals to determine proper positioning and assurance of all supplies/equipment are available; Assist surgical team with patient positioning, and setting up the operative field; Monitor and maintain sterile practice throughout surgical procedure. OR Education: Successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the surgical technician position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. 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. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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 include but are not limited to the following: Serves as a member of the surgical team in the OR by performing scrub and other support services for simple and major cases. Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure. Anticipates the surgeon's needs for instruments, equipment and supplies via surgeon's case preference cards, training as a surgical technician, and familiarity with hospital and OR policies and procedures. Handles instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures such as open heart, thoracic, major vascular, neurosurgery, microsurgery, total joint procedures, and robotic surgery. Passes instruments and observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedures and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time. Utilizes sterile techniques as per hospital, OR, and AORN guidelines. Follows directions for performing OR policy for sponge, needle, and instrument count. Follows infection control policies and procedures. Maintains, cares and labels surgical specimens. Assists the RN on care of the patient (i.e. positioning, prepping, as needed). Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures, preparation of prosthesis and surgical devices and preparing sterile dressings. Follows infection control policies and procedures. Recognizes and helps initiate actions during emergency situations including cardiopulmonary resuscitation when appropriate. Stocking replenishing, and preparing supplies and equipment for use. Assists other members of the team with room clean up in readiness for next patient. Assists the RN with receiving surgical patients into the OR and ensuring safety of the patient at all times. Promptly reports any change in the patient's condition to the RN. Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, surgical technologist students, and new operating room staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments and OR procedures. Provides emotional support and comfort measures specific for each patient to alleviate concerns and fears Properly answers telephone calls and directs call to the appropriate person. Generating and maintaining case cart and preference card lists. Working with vendors and support personnel for procurement of specific instrumentation needed for a case. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm, On-call status required Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD40972A Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Physical Requirements: Work involves potentially extended periods of standing, walking and reaching. Trays of instruments and stock weighing as much as 25 pounds must be lifted and carried short distance, and wearing x-ray aprons. The SST must be able to use both hands to handle or feel objects with dexterity and strength to manipulate delicate instruments and equipment. The SST must have adequate hearing and speech to effectively communicate with other personnel and patients. Carts on rollers must be transported within the OR and from department to department within the hospital. The SST assists with transferring and transporting patients most of which are in stages of unconsciousness. The volume and rapid pace of work, interruptions, and emergency nature of some tasks may cause high levels of stress for the employee. Work Environment: The majority of work is performed in the OR. The SST must wear hospital supplied surgical scrubs, hair cover and eye protection while on duty in the OR. There is the potential for frequent exposure to toxic gases, hazardous chemicals, exposure, blood and body fluids, laser beams requiring special safety precautions, radiation, air-powered equipment, and a variety of electrical equipment that requires special safety precautions. Work potentially involves the wearing of attire such as a hood in total joint replacements. The SST in this position is regularly exposed to infectious diseases. Occasionally, patients undergoing treatment can be verbally or physically abusive, particularly those suffering from mental illness.