Health Technician (Surgical)

Indian Health Service • Phoenix, AZ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Health Technicians (Surgical) at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, provide surgical scrub technician support for operations ranging from minor procedures to complex and extensive surgeries. The role involves preparing and maintaining the sterile field, handling instruments and supplies, assisting the surgeon during procedures, and following infection-control practices. On-call hours or standby duty are required. A REAL ID-compliant state-issued identification document or driver's license is required if used as one of the two identification documents presented before appointment.

Requirements

• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade level, involving monitoring and maintaining aseptic technique; coordinating or participating in patient positioning using stabilizing equipment or protective padding; and maintaining an unobstructed operative field using retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment; OR one year (18 semester hours) of directly related graduate education; OR a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• Certification as a Certified Surgical Technician (CST) by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), or as a Certified Technician in Surgery (TS-C) by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). A copy of the certification must be attached.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successful completion of a federal background investigation is required; applicants must complete required forms within five calendar days of issuance.
• Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility and satisfy legal financial obligations as part of the financial suitability review.
• Two valid forms of identification must be presented before appointment. A state-issued ID or driver's license used for this purpose must be REAL ID-compliant.
• Federal competitive-service merit-promotion candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements; these provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan.
• All qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• Applicants substituting education for experience are encouraged to submit transcripts or course details; official transcripts are required from selectees before an official offer. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• Selectees may be subject to a probationary period; ESEP appointees typically serve a two-year trial period.
• Successful completion of the E-Verify employment verification check is required.
• Direct deposit setup is required.
• At least a one-year service agreement is required if the applicant accepts the position.

Responsibilities

• Handle instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures.
• Set up the sterile field with required items for each procedure and ensure supplies and equipment are available beforehand.
• Use universal precautions and follow infection-control policies when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
• Observe each stage of the procedure, respond promptly, and anticipate the surgeon's needs while maintaining concentration for extended periods.
• Assist the surgeon by preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures.
• Prepare prostheses and surgical devices during procedures.
• Recognize potentially hazardous situations, such as frayed cords or water on the floor, and take corrective action.

Benefits

• Federal annual leave accrual of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period, based on years of federal service.
• Newly appointed federal employees may receive credit for directly related prior non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed