Surgical Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Nashville, TN

1d

About The Position

The Surgical Technician is a member of the surgical team who assists the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. Under the general supervision of the surgical team, the technician participates in planning and implementing complex procedures. The role serves as the primary scrub person, handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures, and helps ensure the operating room is prepared, properly maintained, and supplied.

The technician anticipates the surgical team's needs; prepares and maintains complex sterile setups; plans and discusses procedures with surgical professionals; and ensures equipment and supplies are available before procedures begin. During procedures, the technician responds quickly and accurately, assists the surgeon with tasks such as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, and holding retractors, and helps care for patients, including positioning and prepping. The role also involves performing sponge and instrument counts with the circulating RN, appropriately handling specimens and contaminated items, maintaining sterile supplies, using appropriate cleaning and sterilization techniques, and performing non-technical equipment maintenance and corrective actions to address hazards.

The position requires regular manual assistance with lifting and positioning patients, as well as extended periods of standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, reaching, and stretching. The work schedule is based on the needs of the service. Applicants tentatively selected for this VA testing-designated position are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis for illegal drug use. A one-year probationary period is required.

Requirements

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-6, in the normal line of progression; qualifying experience includes operating-room work, sterile-field setup, instrument and equipment cleaning and sterilization, and assisting surgeons with procedures.
• Alternatively, qualifying education may consist of one full year of graduate education (or 18 semester hours), or an internship, in coursework directly related to the position, such as anatomy and physiology, surgical technology, or aseptic techniques. Education must be from an accredited college or university and documented with transcripts.
• A qualifying combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience may be used to meet the experience requirement; the education must include graduate courses directly related to the work and must be documented with transcripts.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Selected applicants are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment and may not refuse testing.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to background and security investigation.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Must meet the physical demands of regularly assisting with patient lifting and positioning and extended periods of standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, reaching, and stretching.
• Must dexterously pass instruments without compromising aseptic technique and with little or no effort required from the surgeon.

Responsibilities

• Anticipate the needs of the surgical team.
• Handle specimens appropriately.
• Perform sponge and instrument counts with the circulating Registered Nurse to verify accuracy.
• Assist the surgeon with specific procedures, such as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, and holding retractors.
• Assist in training on equipment operation, sterile technique, instrument handling, and specific procedures, including the scrub role.
• Perform non-technical equipment maintenance to help prevent malfunctions.
• Recognize potentially hazardous situations and take corrective action.
• Assess equipment needs and maintain adequate stocks of supplies and materials.
• Serve as the primary scrub person, handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures.
• Use appropriate cleaning techniques and detergents for various items.
• Properly handle and rotate sterile supplies and contaminated items, and maintain quality control and personal hygiene.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain complex sterile surgical setups.
• Maintain the operating room area.
• Plan and discuss each procedure with surgical professionals and ensure supplies and equipment are available beforehand.
• Respond to the surgical team quickly and accurately during procedures.
• Assist team members with patient care, including positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies.
• Provide manual assistance with lifting and positioning patients.
• Maintain aseptic technique while passing instruments to surgeons.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type and hiring-agency details.
• VA may grant newly appointed federal employees credit for qualifying non-federal job-related experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual; this must be requested and approved before appointment and is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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