Surgical Technician

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 54,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Surgical Technician to join the Surgical Specialty Operating Room team. The ST assists surgeons and team members during procedures and participates in planning and implementing complex operations under supervision.

Candidates should have experience with sterile technique and instrument handling. The role emphasizes dexterity, rapid response, and maintaining asepsis in a fast-paced environment, with responsibilities including equipment preparation,

Qualifications

• Knowledge of a wide variety of complex surgical procedures and potential complications.
• Thorough knowledge of names, uses, characteristics, and handling of surgical supplies and equipment.
• Ability to apply sterile technique and adhere to aseptic standards.

Responsibilities

• Functions as a primary scrub person handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during procedures.
• Sets up sterile field and maintains required items for each procedure.
• Plans and discusses procedures with surgical staff and ensures supplies are available beforehand.
• Prepares and maintains complex sterile surgical setups.
• Monitors each stage of surgery and anticipates the surgeon's needs.
• Ensures sterility and adheres to infection control policies throughout the procedure.
• Supports OR team in patient positioning, prepping, draping, and safety during time-out processes.
• Oversees instrument accountability and performs non-technical maintenance of equipment.
• Works within OR rules for restricted areas and supports training of students and staff.

Skills

Surgical procedures knowledge

Aseptic technique

Operative instrumentation handling

Team coordination

Education

Graduate education

Job description

Summary

The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the Surgical Specialty Operating Room surgical team. The Surgical Technician aids the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The ST participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the supervision of the surgical team.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/22/2026. Health Aid and Technician-0640 Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) Specialized Experience-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. In addition to the OPM Individual Occupational Requirements you must meet the specialized experience for the GS-7 below: You may qualify based on your specialized 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-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: Possess a knowledge of a wide variety of complex surgical procedures and possible complications to prepare for the procedure - to anticipate the needs of the surgical team - to respond with speed and accuracy - and to report observations and immediate procedural needs. Must have a thorough knowledge of all appropriate names - uses - physical characteristics - function - and processing procedures for the full range of surgical supplies and equipment. Familiar with dosages and proper use of all medications administered from the sterile field 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: You must have an combination of specialized experience and education. Preferred Experience: 3-5 years of recent scrubbing experience - certification preferred. Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients - most of who are at 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 or aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the surgeon. Work Environment: Duties are performed in the operating rooms which require special OR attire with regular and recurring exposure to toxic and noxious gases such as: methylmethracrylate - glutaraldehyde - exposure to x-rays and pure oxygen exposure to blood and body fluids which are often infectious and laser beams requiring special safety precautions. Appropriate scrub attire is required - including sterile gown and gloves - surgical caps to cover incumbents hair - surgical mask or special attire such as a space helmet or hood used during total join replacements in order to maintain an aseptic environment. Incumbent must wear protective eyewear such as goggles or face shield to prevent inadvertent splash injuries to his or her eyes. Appropriate laser glasses must be worn when working with lasers. Incumbent must frequently wear a 20-30 pound lead apron as protection from radiation during various procedures. Required personal protective equipment is provided by the facility. The operating room work environment is complex intense and fast paced. Good mental and emotional health is required in order to function at optimum level. 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

• Duties include but are not limited to: Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments - supplies - and complex equipment during all surgical procedures
• Sets up sterile field and maintains working knowledge of all required items used for each procedure such as disposable and non-disposable surgical instrumentation
• Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals 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 by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time
• Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens - supplies - and equipment
• Assists the team members with care of the patient - i.e. - positioning - prepping - sterile draping - and ensuring patient safety via participation in surgical time out processes
• The ST is responsible for ensuring sterility is maintained during the procedure by monitoring for breaches in technique of the surgical team members and/or the sterile field
• Responsible for the accountability of all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure
• Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions
• Maintains rules and regulations of restricted and semi-restricted areas of the OR suite
• Provides guidance and support to OR Nursing Assistants and other STs
• May oversee volunteers - aides - non-surgical team members - students - and other personnel
• May assist in training residents - medical students - nursing students - operating room technology students - and new Operating Room (OR) staff in the operation of equipment - sterile technique - handling of instruments - and OR procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures
• Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities
• Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses
• Assists in developing and maintaining appropriate and cost-effective inventory practices
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 11:00am to 7:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD512-26004-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized