Summary

The Surgical Technician 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 surgeon and registered nurse. A Surgical Technician combines the knowledge of human anatomy - surgical procedures - and implementation tools and technology to facilitate a surgeon's performance.

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: Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure; Determines the effectiveness of sterilization - packing - storage - and shelf life; Monitors proper functioning of instruments and equipment at the surgical field; Handles instruments - supplies and equipment during a variety of surgical procedures; Anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time; Utilizes medical terminology when interpreting requests and provide proper documentation for surgical procedures. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-07 level: Successful completion of 4 years of education above the high school level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business - secretarial or technical school - junior college - college or university. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-07 level: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements at grade GS-6. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e. - beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. 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. 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-XX. 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.

Duties

• Surgical Technician duties consist of functioning as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments - supplies - and equipment during all surgical procedures including but not limited to: gynecology - thoracic - vascular - neurosurgery - ophthalmology - otolaryngology - orthopedic - urology - plastic - and general surgery procedures
• Duties Include: Independently sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure
• Plans and discusses each procedure with surgeon and/or Registered Nurse and assures 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
• Utilizes standard/universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens - supplies - and equipment
• Assist team members with care of the patient
• Handles all specimens appropriately and ensures safe transport of equipment
• Maintains equipment and work areas
• Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions
• Provides guidance/supervision to Nursing Assistants and other Surgical Technicians
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 6:30am - 3:00pm Monday - Friday - and on call
• Work schedule may be changed due to agency needs
• Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD08459A Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing assistance in lifting and positioning patients
• There are extensive periods of regular and recurring standing - walking - bending - lifting - pushing - reaching - and prolonged stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments 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
• Appropriate scrub attire is required - including sterile gown and gloves - surgical caps to cover incumbent's hair - appropriate eye protection - and surgical mask in order to provide an aseptic environment in the operating room
• If incumbent is assisting with a total joint replacement - he/she is often required to wear special attire - which may be confining - such as a \"space helmet\" or hood
• Incumbent may need to wears X-Ray protective lead attire (up to 20 pounds in weight) for prolonged periods of time
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station: Not Authorized