Surgical Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Temple, TX

24d • Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Technician is assigned to Nursing Service and serves the Operating Room and surgical clinics at the Central Texas VA Health Care System in Temple, Texas. The position is supervised by the Nurse Manager, Perioperative Care and/or designee. At the full performance level, the incumbent supports the surgical team in planning and implementing complex procedures and serves as the primary scrub person, providing instruments, supplies, and equipment during a range of procedures. The technician independently prepares and maintains sterile fields and complex surgical setups, coordinates procedural needs with the RN and surgical team, and ensures required instruments, supplies, and equipment are available. The role also includes transporting patients and obtaining necessary supplies, medications, blood, reports, and equipment throughout the perioperative process, as well as daily computer use for communications, patient information, and leave requests. The position is not virtual. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with rotational on-call requirements; call cases may occur after hours, including weekends and holidays. This job opportunity may be used to fill additional vacancies. The position has a one-year probationary period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Applicants must complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated VA position are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Selected applicants must complete a background/security investigation and online onboarding, and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Health Care Personnel.
• A one-year probationary period is required.
• GS-3: Six months of generalized experience demonstrating ability to do Surgical Technician work, or experience providing familiarity with operating room processes, instruments, and sterilization; alternatively, one year of qualifying post-high-school education in medical, health, or related fields, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• GS-4: Six months of generalized experience and six months of specialized experience as a medical or health professional demonstrating ability to perform Surgical Technician work; alternatively, two years of qualifying post-high-school education including at least 12 semester hours related to the position, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• GS-5: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4, including surgical scrubbing, applying aseptic technique, preparing instruments, supplies, and equipment, maintaining and cleaning equipment postoperatively, and using preference cards; alternatively, a qualifying bachelor's degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours in directly related subjects, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• GS-6: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-5, including assisting with circulating duties, operating and maintaining equipment, responding to emergencies, using emergency equipment, and applying PPE and standard precautions.
• Submit transcripts if qualifying based in whole or in part on education. Education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a certificate of foreign equivalency with transcripts.
• Meet all qualification requirements by the announcement closing date of 10/19/2026.

Responsibilities

• Participate with surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the team's general supervision.
• Serve as the primary scrub person, handing instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures, including thoracic, neurosurgery, EENT, vascular, and total joint surgery.
• Independently set up the sterile field with required instruments, supplies, and equipment, including air-powered instrumentation, endoscopy, laparoscopy, arthroscopy, urologic equipment, lasers, microscopes, and recording devices.
• Plan and discuss each procedure with the RN and surgical team.
• Ensure instruments, supplies, and equipment are available before procedures.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain complex surgical setups.
• Apply sterile and aseptic technique, prepare instrumentation independently, and maintain the sterile field intraoperatively.
• Transport patients preoperatively and postoperatively and obtain needed supplies, medications, blood, reports, and equipment throughout the perioperative process.
• Use computers for tasks such as reading and sending email, entering patient information, and requesting leave.
• At GS-6, assist the Registered Nurse with circulating duties, including positioning patients, holding extremities during surgical preparation, controlling safety hazards, checking equipment, and anticipating and providing supplies and equipment.
• Operate and help maintain surgical equipment and report malfunctions.
• Recognize emergency situations, take appropriate immediate action, and notify the charge nurse.
• Locate and operate emergency equipment and supplies.
• Use personal protective equipment and standard precautions when providing direct patient care.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility depends on position type and employment status.
• VA may grant approved credit for related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual rate.

What This Job Offers

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