The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures in the Minor Office Procedure Clinic to include General Surgery, Orthopedics, Urology, ENT, and Vascular at the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). The ST participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team.

Duties

Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, specimens, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as but not limited to general, colorectal, urological, plastic, and minimally invasive surgery. Sets up the sterile field with all required items for each procedure, such as robotic equipment, air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, fluids, medications, surgical implants, and other operating room supplies and equipment. Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available before the surgical procedure. Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical set-ups. Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining mental focus for extended periods. Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, medications, implants, and equipment. Assists the team members with the care of the veteran, i.e., positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies. Handles all specimens appropriately. In conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN), performs soft goods, sharps, and instrument counts to prevent retention of surgical items and verify accuracy. Responsible for the accountability of all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure. Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, and cutting sutures. Prepares prostheses and surgical devices during operations and calibrates instruments/equipment in the sterile field. Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, surgical technology students, and new Minor Office Procedure Clinic staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and minor procedures, including the scrub role in surgical procedures. Functions as a runner for complex surgical procedures under the direct supervision of RN. Assists circulating nurse with veteran care during each phase of perioperative interventions, such as gathering equipment and supplies, opening sterile items, independently sets up the surgical field, veteran transferring and positioning, providing comfort measures, monitoring and maintaining sterility pre- and intra-operatively, staying inside the Minor Office Procedure Clinic from the time of sterile field set-up to the time of veteran transfer out of the Minor Office Procedure Clinic to ensure the integrity of the sterile environment, and participating in veteran care activities' Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Assesses equipment needs and maintains an adequate stock of supplies and materials. Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (e.g., frayed cords and water on the floor) and takes corrective action. Collaborates with engineering and biomedical services, promoting the use and maintenance of VA property in a safe manner that preserves the equipment. Performs other directly related duties as assigned. Preferred Experience. Surgical Technologist-Plastic surgery, Urology, General Surgery, Vascular Surgery experience Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician- Minor Office Procedure Clinic/PD019920

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For this Surgical Technician, GS-07 position: Specialized Experience: You must have 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 me 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. This experience must be supported by your resume to be creditable. Preferred Experience. Surgical Technologist-Plastic surgery, Urology, General Surgery,, Vascular Surgery experience 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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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.(TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-07. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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 Salem VA Medical Center 1970 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, VA 24153 US
• Name: Jessica Krahe
• Phone: (724) 290-8372
• Email: [email protected]