Surgical Technician

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 07/24/2026.

• Individual Occupational Requirements: Specialized Experience - At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge - skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Surgical Technician.
  • Includes utilizing knowledge of medical instruments - human anatomy - physiology - and aseptic technique to prepare and protect sterile field during surgery;
  • Knowledge of sterile technique - to include exercising sterile technique to include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization - packaging - storage - and shelf life;
  • Performing proper cleaning techniques - as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies;
  • Handling contaminated items - quality control - and personal hygiene - using knowledge of universal precautions and implementing infection control policies and procedures.
• Education - Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree - with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. 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.

Preferred Experience

At least 1 year experience as a Surgical Technician

Physical Requirements

• Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients - most of which are stages of unconsciousness.
• There are 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.

Functions

The Surgical Technician performs the following major duties 100% of the time:

• Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments - supplies - and equipment during all surgical procedures such as: general - vascular - urology - ophthalmology - and major orthopedic surgery - i.e. - total joint replacement
• Major duties consist of the following:
• Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment - fiber optic equipment - laparoscopic equipment - microscopes - arthroscopy equipment - urologic equipment - recording devices - and other operating room supplies and equipment
• Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that 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
• Aids the team members with care of the patients - i.e. - positioning - prepping and obtaining supplies
• 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
• Aids 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 procedures
• Aids 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 - and OR procedures - including the scrub role in surgical procedures
• Functions as support personnel for complex surgical procedures
• Works in a team environment

Work Schedule

7:30 am - 4:00 pm Monday-Friday

Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD02504A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized