Surgical Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Surgical Technician to join the operating room team. You will assist the surgeon and sterile-field setup, ensuring supplies and equipment are ready for procedures under supervision of the surgical team.

Requirements include one year of specialized experience at least GS-6 level or an equivalent combination of education and experience; preferred OR experience in vascular, ortho, neuro, or Level 2 trauma; closing date 10/09/2026.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-6.
• Education can substitute for the required experience (one full year of graduate education or internship).
• Combination of related graduate education and specialized experience to meet total requirements for GS-7.
• Preferred Experience: 3-5 years operating room experience in vascular, ortho, neuro, or Level 2 trauma.

Responsibilities

• Set up sterile field with all required items before surgical procedures.
• Assist the surgeon during surgical procedures.
• Handle specimens, supplies and equipment following universal precautions and infection control policies.
• Assist with patient care (positioning, prepping, etc.).
• Maintain correct count of instruments used during procedures.
• Provide courteous, tactful, and respectful customer service.

Skills

Specialized experience

Customer service

Education

Graduate education or internship related to Health Technician

Job description

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. 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/.