Surgical Technician

About the role

The Surgical Technician is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team.

Responsibilities

• Assists the team members with care of the patient, i.e., positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies.
• Utilizes universal precautions at all times.
• Follows infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, 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.
• Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon.
• Handles all specimen appropriately.
• Affords equipment needs and maintain adequate stock of supplies and materials.
• Assists in developing and maintaining appropriate and cost-saving inventory prices.
• Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions.
• Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical and specialized surgical procedures.
• Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical set-ups.
• Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure.
• Provides guidance and support to other staff as required.
• Trains other staff on surgical procedures.

Requirements

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00AM - 3:30PM, with the potential of staying late and on call rotation. Including weekend and holiday rotation. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Benefits

To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

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.

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/10/2026.

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:

• Assisting the surgical team with patient positioning, prepping, and setting up the operative field.
• Preparing prosthesis and/or surgical devices during procedures.
• Utilizing medical terminology when interpreting requests and provide proper documentation for surgical procedures.
• Recognizing changes in patient condition and takes appropriate actions in response to the situation.

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, pulling, reaching, and prolonged stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments and supplies for the surgeon. The surgical technician 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.