Health Technician (Surgical)

Defense Health Agency; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation packages

Paid time off

Medical benefits

Student loan repayment

Retirement plan with employer contributions

Job summary

A government health agency is looking for a Health Technician (Surgical) in Tacoma, Washington. This position requires providing support during surgical procedures including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care. Responsibilities involve ensuring patient safety, maintaining sterile environments, and managing surgical instruments and equipment. Candidates must have relevant experience and certifications. The agency offers competitive compensation and unique professional opportunities.

Qualifications

• 1 year of experience in surgical settings.
• Certifications to perform necessary duties.
• Ability to anticipate complications during procedures.

Responsibilities

• Prepare patients for surgery and manage their transitions.
• Assure sterile environments and proper equipment setup.
• Assist surgeons and anesthetists during surgical procedures.
• Conduct post-surgical assessments and maintain records.

Skills

Surgical assistance

Patient screening

Equipment maintenance

Aseptic techniques

Job description

Overview

Health Technician (Surgical) - Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington

About the Position: Serves as a Health Technician in the Department of Surgery at Madigan Army Medical Center, providing comprehensive support for surgical procedures ranging from routine operations to complex, high-risk, and trauma cases.

This is a Direct Hire Solicitation

• Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.
• A recruitment incentive may be authorized.

At Madigan you will practice alongside civilian and military health care experts and experience unique professional opportunities. Our staff serves by caring for our military but are not subject to military requirements. We operate within safe staffing standards - giving you time to provide exceptional care.

Tacoma is a progressive city of 200,000 nestled between Seattle and the state capital of Olympia. The region offers the attractions of larger metropolitan areas, with a hometown feel. World-class museums, hotels and theaters draw thousands to downtown Tacoma while the shores of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier inspire outdoor enthusiasts. The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Chihuly Bridge of Glass, Emerald Downs Racetrack, Emerald Queen Casino, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, Lakewold Gardens, and the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad represent a small sampling of the region's varied entertainment options. The city offers excellent schools, universities, parks, festivals and regional shopping centers.

Madigan Army Medical Center
Joint Base Lewis McChord

Located in the Pacific Northwest on Puget Sound, JBLM is near the city of Lakewood, 10 minutes from Tacoma and 20 minutes from Olympia, the state capital. JBLM is situated along Interstate 5, allowing easy access to Sea-Tac Airport and to the deep-water ports of Tacoma and Seattle. The natural setting of the base remains a key feature; Mount Rainier dominates the horizon. Washington State offers outdoor recreation such as camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, boating and sports.

Working for the Department of Defense comes with a range of benefits, including competitive compensation packages, paid time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement with the Thrift Savings Plan (to include matching employer contributions). For more information, please visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/

Responsibilities

This position serves as a Health Technician (Surgical) in a Medical Treatment Facility, responsible for presurgical, surgical, postsurgical, and equipment and operating maintenance.

Presurgical Operations

• MAJOR DUTIES: Screens each patient to ensure all requirements are met and transports patients from the hospital units to the operating room.
• Ensures all patients are prepared for surgery and remains alert for potential signs of respiratory, viral, clinical infection, or skin disorders that may affect the surgical procedure.
• Positions patients in preparation for the draping process and follows pre-operative nursing care plan. May shave the operative site.
• Selects, assembles, and organizes required supplies, equipment, and instruments in accordance with operative work sheets, physician preference cards, and/or conferring with physicians or charge nurse.
• Obtains sterile supplies, sutures, dressings, linens; opens instrument sets, pours solutions, sets up and adjusts equipment such as electric coagulator, electric bone saw, operating microscope, air power drills, defibrillators and resuscitators; makes suction connections and adjusts operating lights.

Surgical Operations

• Passes instruments to the surgeon and maintains alertness for complications during surgery.
• Assists the surgeon by stabilizing tissue with appropriate instruments and collaborates with the surgeon to facilitate procedures.
• Assists anesthetist during induction and throughout the procedure.
• Obtains supplies needed such as blood, drugs, solutions, instruments, and additional sterile supplies; prepares, labels and transports specimens to the laboratory.
• Records designated data on patient log and documents information in the intraoperative nursing record. Maintains aseptic techniques during preparation for/assisting in the procedure.

Postsurgical Operations

• Conducts sponge, sharps, and instrument counts with the charge nurse, verifying total count at end of procedures or change of personnel.
• Measures blood and fluid loss and assists with the application of dressings.

Equipment And Operating Maintenance

• Cleans operating room post-surgery; disposes of soiled materials; changes linen; washes, disassembles, sterilizes, and reassembles instruments.
• Removes gross contamination, soil, blood, tissue fragments; operates sterilizing equipment; replenishes sterile packs and general supplies.
• Maintains and tests operating room equipment; determines best methods for sterilizing and ensures equipment operates correctly; arranges and reassembles instrument trays by size and set.
• Removes items from sterilizers; inspects packages for proper sterilization, aerates, labels and stores packages; assembles operating room carts as needed.
• Defines and maintains sterilization records; cleans autoclaves, runs spore tests, and keeps documentation in compliance with Joint Commission standards and Infection Control.
• Oversees one of two operating room suites during weekend, evening, and night shifts when required.
• Orients and trains newly assigned personnel and students; provides in-service training on new techniques, equipment, and instruments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

You must have 1 year of experience and possess all certifications required to perform the duties listed above.