Surgical Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Tulsa, OK

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Technician is a member of the surgical team who assists the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The technician participates in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the Chief of Surgery and the surgical team. The position supports procedures across multiple surgical subspecialties, including general, urological, vascular, ENT, orthopedic/podiatry, and ophthalmological surgery.

The role includes preparing and maintaining the sterile field; handling instruments, supplies, equipment, and specimens; confirming procedural readiness and required patient and procedure details; anticipating the surgeon’s needs; and assisting team members with patient care. The technician also helps train students, residents, and new operating-room staff, performs non-technical equipment maintenance, and supports a safe and clean clinical environment.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with on-call status and some weekend and holiday work. It is not a virtual position. Work takes place in operating rooms and requires appropriate scrub and protective attire. The environment includes exposure to infectious blood and body fluids, toxic or noxious gases, X-rays, and laser beams, with applicable safety precautions. The role involves substantial standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, reaching, stretching, and manual assistance with lifting and positioning patients. The operating room may be stressful, and good mental and emotional health is required to function at an optimum level.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English is required for direct patient care.
• One year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level, GS-6, involving knowledge and skills related to surgical technician work, such as preparing sterile surgical fields, handling instruments, supplies, and equipment, setting up surgical cases, and assisting the surgeon during a case; or qualifying education or a combination of education and experience.
• For the education pathway, successful completion of one full year of graduate education (or 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.
• Completion of all required application steps, including an online assessment.
• Selected applicants are subject to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use before appointment and a background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health-care personnel.
• A one-year probationary period is required.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of regularly standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, reaching, stretching, and manually assisting with patient lifting and positioning.
• Ability to work in an operating-room environment with required scrub and protective attire and exposure to potential occupational hazards, using applicable safety precautions.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of a Surgical Technologist program is preferred but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Handle instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures across multiple surgical subspecialties.
• Set up the sterile field with the required items for each procedure.
• Participate in the surgical team’s official time-out and ensure the correct site, procedure, laterality, patient, and position, as well as required test results, are confirmed; verify implant sterility and dates in accordance with VHA directives.
• Plan and discuss each procedure with surgical professionals and ensure supplies and equipment are available before the procedure.
• Observe each stage of the procedure, respond promptly, and anticipate the surgeon’s needs.
• Use universal precautions and follow infection-control policies and procedures.
• Assist team members with patient care and handle specimens appropriately.
• Assist in training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating-room technology students, and new operating-room staff in equipment operation, sterile technique, instrument handling, and operating-room procedures.
• Perform non-technical equipment maintenance and maintain a safe, clean work environment.
• Provide patient information to the Registered Nurse and Anesthesia Team for inclusion in the patient’s plan of care; reinforce patient education and organize and prioritize patient-care activities.
• Assist with answering telephones and relaying messages.
• Follow VA nursing policies, procedures, and standards; provide respectful, non-judgmental care; maintain patient privacy and confidentiality; and maintain appropriate boundaries in the surgical team/patient relationship.
• Recognize changes in patient condition, including emergencies, and take appropriate action in response to perioperative emergencies.
• Recognize hazards, such as frayed cords or water on the floor, take corrective action, and report unsafe equipment or working conditions.
• Manually assist with lifting and positioning patients, many of whom are unconscious, and pass instruments dexterously while maintaining aseptic technique.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on the position and eligibility.
• VA may offer newly appointed federal employees credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service to determine annual-leave accrual, subject to request and approval and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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