This position functions in a developmental capacity leading to the full performance level of a Surgical Technician (ST), which is a member of the surgical team and aids the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the continuing guidance of the surgical team.

Duties

The Surgical Technician performs the following major duties: Functions as a Primary Scrub Person Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as: open heart, thoracic, major vascular, neurosurgery, microsurgery, total joint replacement, renal transplant, and robotic surgery. 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 operation 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 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 patient, i.e., positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies. Handles all specimens appropriately. In conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN), performs sponge and instruments counts to verify accuracy. Responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments and equipment during and after the surgical procedure (i.e. pre-cleaning and spraying of instruments). In conjunction with the surgical team participate in "Time Out and Fire Risk Assessment". Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cuffing 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) staff in 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. Maintains Equipment and Work Area Performs non-technical maintenance of 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 floor) and takes corrective action. Provides Guidance/Supervision Provides guidance and support to 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. Other Duties Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities. Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses. Performs other duties as assigned, normally of a related nature. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: M-F, 7:30am - 4pm with consideration of 10hr flex tours 0730-1800 after successful orientation and evaluation of time and attendance. 24/hr on call required after orientation which are inclusive to holidays, nights and weekends. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD55654A and PD52410A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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 prolong stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments and supplies for the surgeon. The surgical technician 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

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/06/2024. Selective Placement Factor: Certified Surgical Technologist certificate preferred. BCLS (American Heart Association): Active Basic Cardiac Life Support card Preferred experience: 2-5 years Surgical technologist experience You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-06 Grade Requirements: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of a Health Technician (Surgical Technician) in a developmental capacity and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as experience performing work as a surgical technician, operating room assistant, or surgical technologist performing scrub duties for all inpatient and outpatient surgical procedure; setting up for the surgical procedure; assembling equipment and supplies as well as monitoring and maintaining aseptic techniques throughout the procedure; coordinating or participating in the positioning and prepping of patients and obtaining supplies; specimen handling; and assisting the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin graphs, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples and cuffing sutures. GS-07 Grade Requirements: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of a Health Technician (Surgical Technician) and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as experience utilizing universal precautions and following all Infection Control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies and equipment; Handling all specimens appropriately; prepares, organizes and maintain highly complex sterile surgical setups; Assisting in training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating room technology students and new Operating Room (OR) staff in the operation of equipment, sterile techniques, handling of instrument, and Operating Room procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures, and Function as a second circulator for complex surgical procedures. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience for the GS-07 level. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed one full year of graduate education to meets the requirements for GS-7. Progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a major field of study related to the work of the position which provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position. (NOTE: TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THE APPLICATION). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education must be in excess of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. (TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THE 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. 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. 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

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. There is no educational substitution at the GS-6 level.

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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Bronx VA Medical Center 130 West Kingsbridge Rd. Bronx, NY 10468 US
• Name: Melissa Charles
• Phone: 973-676-1000
• Email: [email protected]