Surgical Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Des Moines, IA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the Surgical Specialty Operating Room team in the Central Iowa VA Healthcare System. The position directly assists surgeons and other team members during surgical procedures and reports to the Nurse Manager of the Operating Room/PACU/Ambulatory Surgery. This is an intermittent, temporary appointment not to exceed two years; it will not be converted to permanent employment at the end of the appointment. The tour is flexible between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with no set workdays. The incumbent is scheduled as needed to cover staffing absences, including military and other leave. This is not a virtual position.

The role includes surgical clinical duties (50%), supply liaison duties (25%), training and mentoring (15%), and administrative duties (10%). Surgical clinical work involves preparing and operating equipment, maintaining the sterile field, assisting the surgeon, handling instruments and supplies, and ensuring appropriate specimen handling and counts. The technician also monitors and replenishes sterile supplies, mentors trainees and new staff, and answers telephones and assists with surgery scheduling.

Work takes place in operating rooms and involves required scrub attire and protective equipment. The environment includes exposure to potentially infectious blood and body fluids, toxic or noxious gases, x-rays, and laser beams, with appropriate safety precautions. The work can be exceptionally stressful.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05), including relevant knowledge and skills in surgical instruments, anatomy, physiology, aseptic technique, sterilization, handling surgical instruments and supplies, cleaning, sterile-supply rotation, universal precautions, and infection control; or qualifying education or a combination of education and experience.
• Alternatively, successful completion of one-half year of graduate education (9 semester hours) or an internship in coursework directly related to the position, such as anatomy and physiology, surgical technology, or aseptic techniques.
• If qualifying through education, submit a transcript; qualifying education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Complete all application steps, including the online assessment.
• Selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to urinalysis before appointment; refusal 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 online onboarding, and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• Complete a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate medical equipment used in surgical procedures, including robotics, lasers, microscopes, laparoscopic and endoscopic systems, and specialty equipment.
• Monitor daily surgery schedules and provide input on case scheduling based on complexity and required equipment and supplies.
• Serve as the primary scrub person for complex sterile setups and handle instruments, supplies, and equipment during a wide range of surgical procedures.
• Inspect packages, trays, instruments, and equipment for sterilization indicators, damage, missing parts, proper function, and compromised sterility.
• Assist surgeons by holding retractors, applying skin staples, cutting suture, and preparing implants and surgical devices.
• Use case carts and surgeon preferences to ensure equipment and supplies are available before each surgical case.
• Follow universal precautions and infection-control procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
• Ensure surgical specimens are correctly identified, collected, placed in the appropriate medium and container, and handed off accurately to the surgical team.
• Collaborate with the circulating registered nurse and surgeon to count and verify sponges and sharps used during a surgical case.
• Monitor sterile supplies and work with logistics staff to maintain adequate inventory, including restocking operating room cabinets, specialty carts, and secondary storage.
• Clean supply areas and remove or manage outdated surgical supplies.
• Mentor residents, medical students, nursing and surgical-technology students, and new operating room staff on equipment use, sterile technique, instrument handling, and operating room procedures.
• Answer telephones and assist with surgery scheduling needs and questions.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Annual leave accrual is based on federal service and may be credited for approved related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed