Career Center

Summary

The Surgical Technician (ST) is 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 - but are not limited to: Knowledge of highly technical medical instruments - human anatomy - physiology - and aseptic technique to prepare and protect the sterile field during surgery; knowledge of sterile technique including sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization - packaging - storage - and shelf life; knowledge of a wide variety of complex surgical procedures and possible complications in order to prepare for the procedure - to anticipate the needs of the surgical team - to respond with speed and accuracy - and to report observations and immediate procedural needs to the RN circulator; knowledge of all appropriate names - uses - physical characteristics - function and processing procedures for the full range of surgical supplies and equipment; other related duties performed by a Surgical Technician. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have One (1) full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-7 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. NOTE: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required where it is directly related to the work of the position. (Transcripts Required) Preferred Experience: Scrub Experience 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/.

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities for this position include - but not limited to the following: Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments - supplies - and equipment during all surgical procedures such as: general - vascular - urology - ophthalmology - and major orthopedic surgery
• Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment - fiber optic equipment - laparoscopic equipment - microscopes - 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 patients - i.e. - positioning - prepping and obtaining supplies
• 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
• 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
• Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions
• Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (e.g. - frayed cords - water on floor) and takes corrective action
• Provides guidance and support to Nursing Assistants and other Surgical Technicians
• Supervises volunteers - aides - non-surgical team members - students - and other personnel
• Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm - On-Call Rotational Duty Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD025040 Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients - most of which are stages of unconsciousness
• There are 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
• Incumbent 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.