This position is located in Nursing Service, Boise VA Medical Center. This position provides support for operating room surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures.

Duties

Major duties include but is not limited to: Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urological equipment, recording devices, and other operating room supplies and equipment Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to 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 follow all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies and equipment Assists the 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. Responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments an equipment during the surgical procedure Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples and cutting sutures Prepares prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating room technology students and new Operating (OR) staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling instruments and OR procedures to include the scrub role Functions as second circulator for complex surgical procedures Performs non technical maintenance on equipment to prevent malfunctions Maintains OR area Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials Recognizes potentially hazardous situations, e.g. frayed cords, water on the floor and takes corrective action Provides guidance and support to the Nursing Assistants and other surgical technicians Supervises volunteers, aides, non surgical team members, students and other personnel Provides guidance and support to professional and technical students of an approved surgical technology program Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD60308A 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 and supplies for 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
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of 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: Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures; 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; Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating room technology students, and new Operating Room (OR), staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and OR procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures; Knowledge of sterile technique, sterilization chemical indicators, packaging, storage, shelf life, and rotation of sterile supplies; must possess knowledge of a wide variety of complex surgical procedures and possible complications in order to prepare for the procedure; Plans and discusses procedures with surgical professionals to determine proper positioning and assurances all supplies/equipment are available. Preferred Experience: 10 years of current surgical scrub experience. Be a Certified Surgical Technician. Experience in general surgery and orthopedic spine procedures. Must be a graduate of a surgical technician program. 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

There is no educational substitution for the GS-07 level.

Contacts

• Address Boise VA Medical Center 500 West Fort Street Boise, ID 83702 US
• Name: Merlinda Winbush
• Phone: 702-791-9000 X14083
• Email: [email protected]