The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the Surgical Specialty Operating Room surgical team. The Surgical Technician aids the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The ST participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the supervision of the surgical team.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/23/2025. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. 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-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 for the GS-7 level. 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 GS-7 level. Must have an equivalent combination of related graduate level education and specialized experience to meet the total experience requirement You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Infection Control Medical Information Patient Care Technical Competence 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: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of who are at 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. 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 and Responsibilities: Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and complex equipment during all surgical procedures. Sets up sterile field and maintains working knowledge of all required items used for each procedure such as disposable and non disposable surgical instrumentation. Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure. Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups. Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time. Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment. Assist the team members with care of the patient, i.e., positioning, prepping, sterile draping, and ensuring patient safety via participation in surgical time out processes. Responsible for ensuring sterility is maintained during the procedure by monitoring for breaches in technique of the surgical team members and/or the sterile field. Handles all specimens appropriately. In conjunction with the circulating registered nurse (RN), performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy. Responsible for the accountability for 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, and cutting sutures. Prepares prosthesis and surgical devices during procedure. Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating room technology students, and new Operating Room (OR) staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, or OR procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures. Functions as second circulator for complex surgical procedures. Provides transportation of patients to and from the Operating Room, as assigned. Accounts for the availability of correct prosthetics in the room, follows established procedures regarding prosthetic tracking. Follows correct site surgery policies. Assists in the implementation and utilization of the Generic inventory Package to maintain adequate surgical supplies. Monitors daily surgery schedules, provides input into case scheduling duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, tour to be discussed during interview, shift rotating on call, weekends and holidays. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD07710A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.