Surgical Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Cape Coral, FL

12d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Perioperative Nursing Service within the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System in Bay Pines, Florida, and the Lee County Healthcare Center in Cape Coral, Florida. The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the surgical team who assists the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. Under the surgeon’s general supervision, the ST participates in planning and implementing complex procedures.

The ST functions as a primary scrub person, handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during procedures. The role includes setting up and maintaining sterile fields and complex surgical setups; coordinating with surgical professionals to ensure required supplies and equipment are available; anticipating the surgeon’s needs; following infection-control procedures; assisting with patient care and specified surgical tasks; performing non-technical equipment maintenance; and maintaining the operating-room area and front desk.

The position’s work schedule is 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is not eligible for telework and is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station is not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level, meeting the applicable individual occupational requirements.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• Pass required pre-employment drug screening if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position.
• Complete the required application steps, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete online onboarding.
• Comply with the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• For males born after December 31, 1959, Selective Service registration is required.
• Physical ability to assist with lifting and positioning patients and to perform recurring standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, reaching, and prolonged stretching; manual dexterity to pass instruments while maintaining aseptic technique.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of Surgical Technician experience in an operating room or ambulatory surgery center.
• National Surgical Technician certification.

Responsibilities

• Function as the primary scrub person and handle instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures.
• Set up a sterile field with the required items for each procedure, including air-powered equipment, microscopes, lasers, robotic equipment, and other operating-room supplies and equipment.
• Plan and discuss procedures with surgical professionals and ensure supplies and equipment are available before procedures.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain complex sterile surgical setups.
• Observe and respond to each stage of a procedure, maintaining concentration and anticipating the surgeon’s needs.
• Use universal precautions and follow infection-control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
• Assist team members with patient care.
• Assist the surgeon with tasks such as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures.
• Perform non-technical equipment maintenance to prevent malfunctions.
• Maintain the operating-room area, monitor the front operating-room desk, and handle operating-room phone calls as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, subject to position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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