Summary

The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeons and other team members during surgical procedures at the Health Care Center at Harlingen (HCC).

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 09/25/2025. 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: knowledge of surgical procedures - techniques - and materials in order to assist the surgical team during procedures; explains information and procedures to a variety of people; prepares and maintains surgical supplies and equipment; knowledge of medical terminology; performs procedures such as irrigation - changing dressings - wound care; obtains and reviews medical records; scheduling appointments and gives preparatory instruction to patients for a variety of medical procedures; knowledge of equipment and supply terminology; identifies and uses equipment and supplies properly and communicates proper use with patients and family members; passes instruments to the doctor performing treatment procedures; knowledge of lab equipment and instruments; knowledge of procedures for obtaining blood and handling blood prior to delivery to lab; and knowledge of cleaning - decontamination - and sterilization procedures. NOTE: 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. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one full year (18 semester hours) of graduate education in course matter that includes courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position such as anatomy and physiology - surgical technology - aseptic techniques - etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) Experience/Education Combination. An equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to qualify at the GS-7 level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position such as anatomy and physiology - surgical technology - aseptic techniques - etc. To calculate - first identify the percentage of required education you have 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. Experience must be clearly stated in your resume. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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

• Major duties include: Provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures
• Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments - supplies and equipment
• Prepares - organizes and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups
• Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical team to ensure all supplies and equipment are available prior to surgical procedures
• Provides guidance and support to professional staff during surgical procedures
• Understands the proper procedure and safety precautions for disinfecting surgical instruments
• Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions
• Recognizes potentially hazardous situations and takes corrective action
• Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Typical tour of duty is Monday - Friday - 7:00am - 3:30pm but may be adjusted due to needs of the facility Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD00143O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized