This position is located within the Critical Care Service at the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System. The incumbent is part of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other healthcare team members during surgical procedures and perioperative preparation of these procedures. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team.

Duties

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Handles instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures including but not limited to: thoracic, major vascular, general, urology, plastics, ophthalmology and total joint replacement surgery. Sets up the sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment, urologic equipment, recording deices, and other OR supplies and equipment. Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure. Prepares, organizes and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups. Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time. Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies and equipment. Assists team members with care of the patient, i.e., positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies. Handles all specimens appropriately. Performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy. Accounts for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure. Prepares skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures. Prepares prostheses and surgical devices during procedures. Assists in training new residents, medical students, nursing students, OR technology students, and new OR staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and OR procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures. Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Maintains OR area. Assesses needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (i.e., frayed cords, water on the floor) and takes corrective actions. Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities. Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses Work Schedule: Full-time, Variable shifts Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of which are stages of unconsciousness. There are extensive periods of regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, reaching, and prolonged stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments and supplies for the surgeon. Incumbent must be dexterous in passing instruments to surgeons without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the surgeon.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: utilizing knowledge of medical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic technique to prepare and protect sterile field during surgery; exercising sterile technique to include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage, and shelf life; handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures; performing proper cleaning techniques, as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies; handling contaminated items, quality control, and personal hygiene, using knowledge of universal precautions and implementing infection control policies and procedures. Addition experience required: Must have recent 2 years of surgical tech experience. Must demonstrate professional communication and work well with others. Must have minimum experience in 60% (7.8% of 13) of services provided. Ortho, hands, plastics, ENT, ophthalmology, GYN, Urology, neuro, vascular, general, robotics, general, podiatry, and cardio-thoracics. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Contacts

• Address Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Brittaney Parks
• Phone: 361-277-5288
• Email: [email protected]