Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The ST participates with the surgical team members and planning and implemented complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team.

Duties

The Surgical Technician functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures including but not limited to: gynecology, thoracic, vascular, neurosurgery, ophthalmology. otolaryngology, orthopedic, urology, plastic, and general surgery procedures. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Set up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating room supplies and equipment. Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical procedure; Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical team to ensure all supplies and equipment are available prior to surgical procedures; Provides guidance and support to professional staff during 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 period of time. Handles all specimens appropriately; Understands the proper procedure and safety precautions for disinfecting surgical instruments; utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment; Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions; Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials; Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 6:30 AM - 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, will be required to work on call as needed. Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD08459S Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing and clear distinctive speech. Considerable manual dexterity is required to pass, instruments to surgeons without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner that requires little or no effort from the receiving surgeon. Duties involve considerable strenuous physical exertion on a regular, recurring basis. Examples include lifting and positioning patients in various stages of consciousness who have received anesthetic agents and lifting heavy packages and equipment. 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. Works in warm confining. and potentially uncomfortable gowns and masks. Long periods of standing, frequently in uncomfortable positions are, required when assisting in highly complex surgical procedures of unusually extended duration. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Surgical Technician. 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. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. ~OR~ EDUCATION: Successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position such as anatomy and physiology, surgical technology, aseptic techniques, etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ COMBINATION: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Manage and Organize Information Infection Control Communication Technical Application 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 Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]