Surgical Technician

Veterans Health Administration•Boise, ID

31d•Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
Must complete all required steps in the process, including application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
Proficient in basic written and spoken English.
Subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
Prepare, organize, and maintain highly complex sterile surgical setups.
Follow all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
Plan and discuss each procedure with surgical professionals to determine proper positioning and assurance of all supplies/equipment are available.
Assist surgical team with patient positioning, and setting up the operative field.
Monitor and maintain sterile practice throughout surgical procedure.
Practice of sterile technique and experience in all surgical specialties, especially general, cataracts, ortho and urology.
Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Nice To Haves

Successfully completed one (1) year of graduate education or internship directly related to the position.

Responsibilities

Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as: open heart, thoracic, major vascular, neurosurgery, microsurgery, and total joint replacement surgery.
Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating room supplies and equipment.
Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure.
Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups.
Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time.
Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
Assists the team members with care of the patient, i.e., positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies.
Handles all specimens appropriately.
In conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN), performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy.
Responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure.
Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures.
Prepares prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures.
Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating room technology students, and new Operating Room (OR) staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and OR procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures.
Functions as second circulator for complex surgical procedures.
Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions.
Maintains OR area.
Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials.
Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (e.g., frayed cords, water on floor) and takes corrective action.