Surgical Technician - Recruitment Incentive Authorized

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries.
The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE").
As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips.

Major Duties:

• Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of anatomy and multiple complex surgical procedures to anticipate surgeon needs.
• Prepares instruments for the full range of surgical procedures. Sets up for the procedure and handles instrumentation.
• Prepares pathological specimens for appropriate laboratory testing such as permanent, fresh, frozen, and cultures.
• Preforms instrument count, sharps, and sponge counts according to policy.
• Participates in proper patient identification and surgical site verification using Universal Protocol and Time-Out procedures.
• Assists coworkers to plan and prepare for surgical procedures using equipment properly and supplies effectively.
• Participates and contributes to in-service programs pertinent to the care of surgical patients.
• Coordinates with Environmental Management Services for the cleaning of patient care areas after procedures and educates surgical personnel of environmental sanitation and proper PPE.
• Complies with Infection Control policies and procedures. Educates surgical personnel on aseptic technique, hand hygiene, and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Reads and adheres to SOPs, directives, policies and regulations to disassemble and prepare for high level disinfection of reusable medical equipment.
• Preforms proper pre-cleaning of instrumentation and prepare instrument sets and case carts for return to SPS.
• Maintains proper levels of disposable and non-disposable supplies. Ensures that all instruments are maintained in sufficient quantity and in good order.
• Assists in the selection and purchase of instruments, supplies, and equipment.
• Assists with training military surgical technology students; answers questions pertaining to surgical procedures; PPE; infection control policies and procedures.

Work Schedule: FT Rotating shifts, with on-call responsibility based on the needs of the unit
Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician - Recruitment Incentive Authorized/PD03450A
Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of which are stages of unconsciousness. There are extensive periods of regular and reoccurring 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.

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

GS-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the federal service); experience 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, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Knowledge of highly technical medical/surgical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic technique to prepare and protect the sterile field during surgery; Knowledge of sterile technique must include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging storage, and shelf life, also includes the proper cleaning techniques and the types of detergents to use on various items, as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies, handling of contaminated items, quality control, and personal hygiene; In-Depth knowledge of standard precautions and know how to implement infection control policies and procedures; Knowledge of operation and function of all surgical instruments and equipment, testing procedures to assure all equipment works, and proper postoperative decontamination procedures; Knowledgeable about and thoroughly understand the concepts and applicability of the Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety Health and Administration (OSHA).

OR

Education: Possess one full year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position to be filled. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

OR

Combination of both experience and graduate education: Possess combination of both education and experience. Equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience to qualify at the GS-07 level. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-07 level.

OR

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-07 level.

To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-07. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.


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.

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be July 11, 2025 with subsequent cut-off dates bi-weekly. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job | Subject to a background/suitability investigation | Designated and/or random drug testing may be required | May serve a probationary period | Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 | A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc | Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). | Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.