SUMMARY

The Surgical Technologist (ST) functions as a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to 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 general supervision of the surgical team.

QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by 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:
Individual Occupational Requirements: 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.

In addition to the IOR you may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Setting up sterile fields; determining technical factors, setting controls with required items for procedures 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; sterilizing operations and testing to determine sterilization methods to be used; receiving and interpreting request for procedure; securing patients’ confidence and cooperation; assisting surgical staff with or performing diagnostic tests and procedures; positioning patients for procedures; handling and coordinating clerical/administrative support functions; performing personal patient care; teaching patients proper health care practices; and maintaining medical records and documents test results. Previous experience in working under microscope using aseptic technique to deliver required instrumentation to physician for use in the procedure; experience and understanding of the biological physiology of disease conditions that requires surgical intervention; experience in responding to acute trauma injuries in the operating room.

OR

APPLICANTS MAY SUBSTITUTE EDUCATION FOR THE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL.

One (1) full year of graduate education related to the field to meet the requirements for the GS-7 level. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. NOTE: A transcript (unofficial or official) must be submitted if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Applications submitted without this information will not be considered.
OR

APPLICANTS MAY ALSO COMBINE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE TO QUALIFY AT THE GS-07 LEVEL.

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.

Preferred Experience: If you have this experience, please ensure it is noted in your resume.

• 2 years current or recent OR experience with ambulatory basic procedures
• BLS Certified
• Basic Computer Skills (Microsoft Word, Email, etc.)
• Certified Surgical Technician (CST)
• Previous experience in working under microscope using aseptic technique to deliver required instrumentation to physician for use in the procedure.
• Experience and understanding of the biological physiology of disease conditions that requires surgical intervention.
• Experience in responding to acute trauma injuries in the operating room.

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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant’s criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Possess expertise in the application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, implementation tools and technology to facilitate a surgeon’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
• Function as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures including but not limited to: General, Ophthalmology, Podiatry, and Urology.
• Select and prepare instruments, supplies and equipment, and assist operative team according to Operating Room procedures.
• Adheres to principles of strict aseptic technique in preparing set-up for specific procedures.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain highly complex sterile surgical set-ups.
• Assists with positioning patients for specific procedures.
• Report and document pertinent patient and/or supply/equipment information as it pertains to surgery.
• Able to recognize potentially hazardous situations (frayed cords) and independently takes corrective action.
• Observe and respond promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipate the needs of the surgeon; be knowledgeable of a wide variety of complex surgical procedures and possible complications.
• Proper handling of surgical specimens.
• Participates in departmental process improvements.

Work Schedule: 6:30am-3:00pm; 7:00am-3:30pm-Hours may vary to meet the needs of the organization.
Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician (Operating Room)/PD06342A
Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing with few breaks, as well as lifting, bending, positioning patients, and some movement of cumbersome equipment. Good body mechanics, personal stamina, and excellent powers of concentration are necessary to participate in lengthy procedures.