Surgical Technician

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Surgical Technician to join the operating room team in Colorado. The job supports surgeons during procedures, helps maintain sterile technique, and assists with patient care including positioning and prepping.

Strong OR experience and knowledge of infection control are essential, with education and/or experience qualifying via the GS-7 pathway. Applicants should be prepared for variable shifts and adhere to strict universal precautions.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience in setting up sterile fields and assisting during procedures.
• Education may substitute for experience; one year of graduate study or internship may qualify.
• Experience with OR supplies, instruments, and universal precautions preferred.

Responsibilities

• Set up sterile field with required items and equipment.
• Assist surgeon during surgical procedures and handle instruments.
• Prepare and maintain sterile surgical setups and patient positioning.
• Maintain instrument counts and ensure aseptic technique.
• Provide courteous, tactful patient and staff service.

Skills

Sterile technique

Operating room procedures

Instrument handling

Patient positioning

Infection control

Education

Graduate education in health tech

Job description

Summary

The Surgical Technician (ST) functions as a member of the surgical team and aids 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 - 10/09/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:Individual Occupational Requirements -- Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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. Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 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 field with all required items such as air-power equipment - fiber optic equipment - microscopes - lasers - etc. Making sure all supplies and equipment are available prior to surgical procedure. Assisting the surgeon during surgical procedure. Handling specimens - supplies - and equipment following universal precaution and infection control policies. Assisting with patient care - i.e. - positioning - prepping - etc. Maintaining correct count of instruments used during procedures. Providing customer service in a courteous - tactful - and respectful manner. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed one full year of graduate education (18 semester hours or equivalent) - or an internship in course matter with a major that included courses directly related to the work of the Health Technician position. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-7 level. You must have an equivalent combination of related graduate level education and specialized experience to meet the total experience requirement. Preferred Experience: 3-5 years operating room experience - Vascular - ortho - Neuro - and/or Level 2 trauma. 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 but are not limited to: Setting up sterile field with all required items such as air-power equipment - fiber optic equipment - microscopes - lasers - etc
• Planning and discussing procedures with surgical professionals
• Making sure all supplies and equipment are available prior to surgical procedure
• Preparing and maintaining sterile surgical setups
• Assisting the surgeon during surgical procedure
• Handling specimens - supplies - and equipment following universal precaution and infection control policies
• Assisting with patient care - i.e. - positioning - prepping - etc
• Assisting surgeon in such procedures as
• preparing skin grafts - holding retractors - applying skin staples - and cutting sutures
• Maintaining correct count of instruments used during procedures
• Performing non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions
• Assessing supplies and materials to maintain adequate stock
• Providing customer service in a courteous - tactful - and respectful manner
• Providing customers with information according to policies and procedures
• Making sure computer system security and confidentiality of sensitive information is maintained
• Work Schedule: Variable shifts
• typically - Monday - Friday - 7:00am - 3:30pm or four 10-hour shifts - 7:00am - 5:30pm (40 hours per week)
• Telework: This position is not authorized for telework
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD11576A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients - most of which are stages of unconsciousness
• There are extensive 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.