Surgical Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Cape Coral (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Surgical Technician (ST) is part of the perioperative nursing service within the VA system, assisting surgeons and OR staff during procedures and helping plan and implement complex surgeries under supervision. The role emphasizes aseptic technique and patient safety in a high-stakes environment in Florida facilities.

Requirements include citizenship and specialized experience, with preference for certification and prior OR or ambulatory surgical center experience.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience in surgical settings and ability to assist surgeons during procedures.
• Knowledge of aseptic technique and operating room procedures.
• Experience in identifying and mitigating safety hazards in the OR.

Responsibilities

• Aids the surgeon and surgical team during procedures under supervision.
• Participates with planning and implementing complex procedures.

Skills

Infection prevention

Hazard identification

Education

National Surgical Technician certification

Job description

This position is located within the Bay Pines VA Healthcare system in Bay Pines, Florida and the Lee County Healthcare Center in Cape Coral, Florida in the Perioperative Nursing Service. The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the surgical team and 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 general supervision of the surgeon.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

To qualify for this position,

applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

GS-07 grade level:

One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Individual Occupational Requirements:

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 IOR 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: Help others learn, Promote infection prevention and control, Encourage and facilitate cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity, Use knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job, and the ability to identify, control, mitigate, and eliminate safety hazards in the design and use of facilities, equipment, operations, and work processes.

Preferred Experience:

• 2 years of Surgical Tech experience in an operating room or ambulatory surgery center
• National Surgical Technician certification

There is no educational substitution for the GS-07 level

Physical Requirements:

Duties regularly require providing 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. The ST 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.