Surgical Technician

Veterans Health Administration•Hines, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Hines, Illinois, within Nursing, Perioperative. The Surgical Technician assists surgeons and other team members during surgical procedures and participates in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. The role prepares and maintains sterile fields and surgical set-ups, ensures supplies and equipment are available, handles instruments and equipment during a range of surgical specialties, and anticipates the surgeon’s needs throughout procedures. The technician also assists with patient care tasks during surgery, prepares prostheses and surgical devices, processes instruments and supplies after surgery, supports inventory, and helps train students and new operating room staff. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The position requires on-call availability, including weekends and holidays. Telework and virtual work are not authorized.

Requirements

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 level, including relevant knowledge and skills in surgical instrumentation, anatomy, physiology, aseptic technique, sterilization, sterile supply handling, cleaning, quality control, universal precautions, and infection control; OR qualifying education; OR a qualifying combination of education and experience.
For qualification through education, successful completion of one full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) or an internship in directly related coursework, such as anatomy and physiology, surgical technology, or aseptic techniques, at an accredited college or university.
Current federal employees and certain former federal employees applying for a GS-7 position must meet the time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks at GS-6 and provide supporting SF-50 documentation.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Complete all application steps, including the online assessment.
Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated VA position must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusing testing results in denial of employment.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
Selected applicants must complete a background/security investigation and the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for employment verification.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
Serve a one-year probationary period.
Physical duties include regular assistance with lifting and positioning patients and extended periods of standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, reaching, and stretching; dexterity is required to pass instruments while maintaining aseptic technique.
The work schedule includes required on-call availability on weekends and holidays.

Nice To Haves

Three years of experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Set up sterile fields with the supplies and equipment required for each procedure, including air-powered, fiber-optic, laparoscopic, microscope, arthroscopy, urologic, and recording equipment.
Handle instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures in specialties including General Surgery, Urology, Podiatry, Ophthalmology, and Endoscopy.
Plan and discuss procedures with surgical professionals and confirm that supplies and equipment are available before procedures.
Serve as a primary scrub person during surgical procedures.
Prepare, organize, and maintain sterile surgical set-ups and fields for complex procedures.
Observe each stage of a procedure, maintain concentration, anticipate the surgeon’s needs, and promptly respond to changes in the procedure or the patient’s condition.
Assist the surgeon by preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures.
Prepare prostheses and surgical devices during procedures.
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, including the scrub role.
Assist with the Generic Inventory Package and maintain adequate supplies, including restocking operating room cabinets, specialty carts, and secondary storage containers.
Process instruments and supplies after surgery.
Maintain accurate counts of sponges, needles, and instruments.
Comply with standard precautions and infection prevention policies.
Perform other related unit-based assignments.