The Health Technician is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members surgical procedures. The Health Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual.

Duties

The Health Technician serves as the primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical and endoscopic procedures such as: Thoracic, Oncology, Laparoscopic, Podiatry, Gynecology, Urology, and total joint replacement surgery. Additional duties will include, but are 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, urologic 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 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 the team members With care of the patient, i.e., positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies. Handles all specimens' appropriately. In conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN), performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy. Responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure,Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing 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 Room (OR) staffing the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and OR procedures to include the scrub role in' surgical Procedures. Functions as second circulator for complex surgical procedures. Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (e.g., frayed cords, water on floor). and takes corrective action. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 6:00am to 2:30 varied + on call Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician - Recruitment Incentive Authorized/PD02085A Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/29/2024. Candidates must meet the following Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR):Specialized Experience: Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: knowledge of medical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic techniques to prepare and protect the sterile field during surgery. Knowledge of sterile techniques which include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage, and shelf life. Knowledge of universal precautions and know how to implement infections control policies and procedures. Knowledge of a wide variety of complex surgical and endoscopic procedures and possible complications in-order to prepare for the procedure. Knowledge of appropriate names, uses, physical characteristics, motion, and processing procedures for the full range of surgical and endoscopic supplies and equipment. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and protocol to select the correct instruments for a procedure, anticipate the needs of the surgeon during the procedure. Knowledge of pathology care, and handling of specimens correctly are essential for the prevention of damage to or loss of specimens and eventual diagnosis. Knowledge and skill necessary for proper handling of prosthesis such as intraocular lenses, total joint, prostheses, vascular grafts, esophageal stents, and pacemakers. Knowledge of operations and function of all surgical and endoscopic instruments and equipment, testing procedures to assure all equipment Works, and proper postoperative decontamination procedures. Experience with of preparation instruments for gas and steam sterilization. Knowledge of proper procedure and safety precautions for high level disinfecting of instruments. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center 6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West Amarillo, TX 79106 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]