Surgical Technician

Department of Veterans Affairs • Columbia, MO

26d • Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent is responsible for handling instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures. For three consecutive years, Truman VA has been ranked #1 nationally by employees as "Best Place to Work" among 142 VA Medical Centers, based on results from the All Employee Survey. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Duties include, but are not limited to: Responsible for handling instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures such as: open heart, major/minor vascular, simple/complex general surgery, orthopedic procedures including total joint arthroplasty, ophthalmology, plastic, neurosurgery, urological procedures including nephrectomy and laser lithotripsy, and otolaryngology procedure to include radical neck dissection with or without laryngectomy. Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical team members and observes and promptly responds to each stage of the surgical procedures, anticipating the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration over an extended period of time. Suggests alternative supplies/instruments if necessary due to unique unforeseen intra operative occurrences. Prepares, organizes and maintains simple to highly complex surgical fields. Appropriately manages surgical specimens. Performs sponge, needle, and instrument counts prior to the incision, before closure of all cavities, and at the termination of the operation. Assists surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, cutting sutures, preparing prosthetic devices for delivery to the sterile field, and preparing dressings. Assumes responsibility for connecting drainage devices to suction and balloon pumps as needed. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday-6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with alternating holiday and weekend call, must be able to report in 45 minutes Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD01030A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Responsibilities

• Responsible for handling instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures such as: open heart, major/minor vascular, simple/complex general surgery, orthopedic procedures including total joint arthroplasty, ophthalmology, plastic, neurosurgery, urological procedures including nephrectomy and laser lithotripsy, and otolaryngology procedure to include radical neck dissection with or without laryngectomy.
• Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical team members and observes and promptly responds to each stage of the surgical procedures, anticipating the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration over an extended period of time.
• Suggests alternative supplies/instruments if necessary due to unique unforeseen intra operative occurrences.
• Prepares, organizes and maintains simple to highly complex surgical fields.
• Appropriately manages surgical specimens.
• Performs sponge, needle, and instrument counts prior to the incision, before closure of all cavities, and at the termination of the operation.
• Assists surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, cutting sutures, preparing prosthetic devices for delivery to the sterile field, and preparing dressings.
• Assumes responsibility for connecting drainage devices to suction and balloon pumps as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Administration of Human Resource Programs
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees