Surgical Technician

Veterans Health Administration•Syracuse, NY

16h•Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Nursing Service, Perioperative Care, at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. The Surgical Technician is a member of the surgical team who assists the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures, and participates in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. The technician prepares and maintains complex sterile setups and fields; ensures required supplies and equipment are available and functioning; anticipates surgical needs; and assists with patient positioning, preparation, and care. The role also involves handling specimens and implantable devices, maintaining infection control and aseptic technique, cleaning and decontaminating instruments, and helping train students and new operating-room staff. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with weekday, weekend, and holiday on-call rotation. This is not a virtual position. The position has a one-year probationary period. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized, and a critical skills incentive is not approved.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Complete the required application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
Register with Selective Service if required for males born after December 31, 1959.
Pass a background/security investigation and complete online onboarding and pre-employment identification requirements.
Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Serve a one-year probationary period.
For GS-5, meet the individual occupational requirement through specialized experience or, as applicable, a related bachelor’s degree with at least 24 semester hours in directly related subjects; additionally, qualify through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4 or a related four-year bachelor’s course of study.
For GS-6, qualify through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 or one-half year of related graduate education (9 semester hours) or a relevant internship.
For GS-7, qualify through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-6 or one year of related graduate education (18 semester hours) or a relevant internship.
Specialized experience must demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills for the applicable grade, including surgical instruments and procedures, anatomy and physiology, aseptic technique, sterilization and infection control, specimen and implantable-device handling, equipment reprocessing, and communication with medical personnel.
Submit transcripts if using education to meet qualification requirements; qualifying education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
The work requires manual dexterity, sustained concentration, the ability to distinguish colors and color intensity, and the ability to provide manual assistance with lifting and positioning patients.
Physical activity may include prolonged standing and bending, walking, lifting up to 50 pounds, kneeling, climbing stairs, pushing, reaching, and prolonged stretching.
Work may require operating at top speed for several hours at a time.

Nice To Haves

Surgical technician experience.

Responsibilities

Set up the sterile field and provide the equipment and supplies required for each procedure, including air-powered, fiber-optic, laparoscopic, microscope, laser, arthroscopy, urologic, and recording equipment.
Discuss procedures with surgical professionals to determine positioning for optimum exposure and confirm supplies and equipment are available before surgery.
Prepare, organize, and maintain complex sterile surgical setups and monitor the sterile field.
Observe the stages of procedures, maintain concentration, anticipate the surgeon’s needs, and respond promptly.
Use universal precautions and follow infection-control policies when handling specimens, supplies, equipment, and infectious materials.
Assist with patient positioning and preparation and set up the operative field after the patient is anesthetized.
Handle specimens according to applicable protocols, including frozen sections, muscle biopsies, cultures, and pathology specimens.
Assist the surgeon by preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures.
Prepare prostheses and surgical devices during procedures.
Handle instruments and equipment safely and appropriately at the surgical field.
Clean and decontaminate instruments during and after procedures according to manufacturers’ instructions.
Assist in training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating-room technology students, and new operating-room staff in surgical conscience, equipment operation, sterile technique, instrument handling, operating-room procedures, and the scrub role.
Perform other duties as assigned.