Surgical Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Long Beach, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is within the Surgical Service at the Long Beach VA Healthcare System. As part of the surgical team, the Surgical Technician assists surgeons and other healthcare team members during surgical procedures and perioperative preparation. The technician participates in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team and serves as a primary surgical scrub person for a broad range of operating-room procedures.

The position supports procedures including thoracic, major vascular, general, urology, plastics, ophthalmology, and total joint replacement surgery. The technician prepares and maintains sterile setups and operating-room supplies and equipment, responds to procedural needs, supports patient care, handles specimens, and helps maintain safe and functional operating-room conditions. The role also includes training new learners and staff, participating in quality improvement, maintaining professional knowledge through continuing education, and taking calls for urgent or emergent cases outside routine hours.

The full-time schedule is Monday through Friday, with shifts of 0700–1530, 0900–1730, or 1100–1930 based on department needs. Participation in the call schedule is expected for emergency surgery after hours.

Requirements

• For GS-07 qualification through experience: one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level, involving knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant to the position.
• Specialized experience includes knowledge of medical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic technique; preparing and protecting a sterile field; sterilizer operations and tests; packaging, storage, and shelf life of sterile items; handling surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment; cleaning techniques and rotation of sterile supplies; and handling contaminated items and applying infection-control practices.
• For qualification through education: one full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) or an internship in directly related coursework, such as anatomy and physiology, surgical technology, or aseptic techniques, from an accredited college or university.
• Applicants may combine qualifying graduate education and specialized experience to meet the GS-07 requirements; education used must be directly related to the position and from an accredited college or university.
• A transcript must be submitted if education is used to qualify.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements when applicable.
• Selected applicants are subject to a background/security investigation and required pre-employment onboarding and identification verification.
• Selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Demonstrated competencies include attention to detail, customer service, decision making, flexibility, infection control, integrity and honesty, interpersonal skills, medical information, patient care, reading comprehension, self-management, stress tolerance, teamwork, and technical competence.

Nice To Haves

• One year of operating-room experience or six months of training as a Surgical Technician in an operating room.

Responsibilities

• Handle instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures, including thoracic, major vascular, general, urology, plastics, ophthalmology, and total joint replacement surgery.
• Set up the sterile field with required items, including air-powered equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating-room supplies and equipment.
• Plan or discuss procedures with surgical professionals and ensure supplies and equipment are available before procedures begin.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain complex sterile surgical setups.
• Observe and respond to each stage of surgery, anticipate the surgeon’s needs, and maintain concentration for extended periods.
• Use universal precautions and follow infection-control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
• Assist team members with patient care, including positioning and prepping patients and obtaining supplies.
• Handle specimens appropriately.
• Perform sponge and instrument counts and account for instruments and equipment during procedures.
• Prepare skin grafts; suction; hold retractors; apply skin staples; and cut sutures.
• Prepare prostheses and surgical devices during procedures.
• Assist with training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating-room technology students, and new operating-room staff in equipment operation, sterile technique, instrument handling, operating-room procedures, and the scrub role.
• Perform non-technical equipment maintenance to help prevent malfunctions.
• Maintain the operating-room area, assess supply needs, and maintain adequate stock of supplies and materials.
• Recognize potentially hazardous situations and take corrective action.
• Assist surgical team members with quality-improvement activities.
• Update knowledge of current surgical-technology trends through continuing-education courses.
• Participate in the call schedule to support urgent and emergent cases outside routine hours.

Benefits

• Federal employees receive access to a comprehensive benefits package for themselves and their families.
• Annual leave accrual is based on federal service, at a rate of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period.
• Selected applicants may request credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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