Surgical Technician

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 56,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Surgical Technician to support the Ambulatory Surgical Unit. You will prepare the sterile field, maintain asepsis, and assist the surgical team with instrument handling and patient care in a busy operating room environment.

Responsibilities include maintaining instrument counts, positioning patients, and ensuring safety policies are followed during procedures. This role requires adherence to VA standards and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Must demonstrate understanding of major body systems and surgery needs.
• Experience with sterile technique and instrument handling.
• Graduate level coursework in anatomy/physiology or related field.

Responsibilities

• Set up sterile field for procedures and ensure supplies are ready.
• Maintain asepsis and follow infection control policies.
• Assist surgical team during operations and coordinate with RN
• Count sponges, sharps, and instruments accurately.
• Prepare patient positioning and draping as required.

Skills

Sterile field setup

Asepsis

Infection control

Team collaboration

Triage of surgical needs

Education

Graduate level education (1 year)

Tools

Surgical instruments

Endoscopy scopes

Job description

Summary

The Surgical Technician is assigned to the Ambulatory Surgical Unit within the VA. The Surgical Technician/Technologist - must have the ability to carry out assigned surgical technology duties based on surgical procedure. The Technician accurately recognize - report - and record relevant patient information. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team and the registered nurse.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/19/2026. Your experience must be detailed in your resume to receive full credit. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Experience: You must have one full year of specialized experience - equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS- 05 in the federal service - that equipped you with the knowledge - skills - and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of the Surgical Technician position and that is typically in and/or related to the position being filled. One (1) year experience as a Surgical Technician in an acute care facility operating room; minimum of two (2) years experience in an ambulatory surgical operating room with scrubbing knowledge and proficiency in orthopedic surgeries - eye surgeries - and laparoscopic surgeries. Specialized experience includes: Must be able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the functioning of the major body systems to interpret surgeon requests - surgical emergencies and to recognize the need for additional patient care needs. Must possess extensive knowledge of operations and functions of all surgical instruments and equipment - testing procedures to assure all equipment works - and proper postoperative decontamination procedures. Must know proper procedures and safety precautions for high level disinfecting of instruments. Knowledge of asepsis to prepare/protect the sterile field during surgery. And Must have in-depth knowledge of standard precautions and know how to implement infection control policies and procedures. OR: Education: You must have successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate level education or an Internship in a field directly related to the Surgical Technician position - such as anatomy and physiology - surgical technology - aseptic techniques - etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. (School/College Transcripts Required). OR: Experience/Education Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience - as described above - which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Physical Requirements: The work requires some moving and transporting of light items such as supplies - papers - books - trays and equipment on a regular and recurring basis. the work involves long periods of moving about the work unit. Work requires regular and recurring bending - lifting - stooping - stretching - lifting and repositioning patients - or similar activities. 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 AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Independently sets-up the sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment - fiberoptic equipment - laparoscopic equipment - microscopes - lasers - arthroscopy equipment - urologic equipment - recording devices - fluoroscopic equipment - and other major and minor operating room supplies and equipment Plans and discusses each procedure with assigned surgical team and ensures all supplies and equipment are available prior to the start of the surgical procedur Prepares - organizes - and maintains complex sterile surgical set-ups
• Ensures all sterile wrap/packaging have no holes/tears/breaks in packaging integrity
• Visualizing chemical indicators have turned
• Plan - prepares - organizes - and maintains the field for endoscopic procedures using appropriate aseptic techniques
• Sets up the field and maintains asepsis throughout the procedure in accordance with OR policies and procedures - infection control guidelines - and AORN - SGNA - and AAMI standards and recommended practices
• Continuously observe aseptic technique
• Recognizes and immediately corrects inadvertent breaks in technique
• 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 standard precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens - supplies - and equipment
• Assists with team members with care of patient - i.e
• positioning - prepping - and obtaining supplies
• Handles specimens appropriately - participates with circulating RN with two-person verification of accurate specimen labeling and confirmation of correct patient identification
• Actively participates in Briefing - Time out - and De-briefing process
• Performs sponge - sharps - and instrument (when applicable) counts with circulating registered nurse
• Accountable for surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure
• Ensures all medication/fluids on the surgical field are properly labeled in accordance with Joint Commission/AORN Guidelines
• Under direct surgeon supervision: assist the surgeon in draping the patient - assists in keeping the operative site dry - affords the surgeon the best operative exposure of the anatomy - expedites the operative procedure by anticipating the needs of the surgeon and performs other related duties as needed (i.e. - shave preps - patient positioning - patient draping - and final prepping)
• Complies with the SOP for point of use cleaning of surgical instruments at the completion of procedures and takes all instruments used to SPS for decontamination
• Recognizes perioperative changes in patient condition or emergencies and takes appropriate actions to assist surgical team with response
• Communicates with vendors regarding specific instrument/equipment needs
• Assures loaner items are requested/delivered to SPS in a timely manner
• Works collaboratively with ASC staff - SPS - Logistics - ASC Coordinator/Designee - and Prosthetics
• Completes decontamination and high-level disinfection of the Endoscopy scopes in accordance to all: SGNA - AAMI standards - and VA Directives
• Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions
• Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (frayed cords - water on floor) and takes corrective action - reporting unsafe working conditions/unsafe equipment to appropriate individuals
• Maintains clean and safe operating room work area
• Utilizes equipment in a safe manner - assesses equipment needs - and maintains adequate levels of supplies and materials
• Completes mandatory TMS training - competency demonstrations - safety training - new equipment in-services - and annual review
• Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses
• Maintain certification as a certified surgical technologist from the Association of Surgical Technologists
• Completes decontamination and high-level disinfection of the Endoscopy scopes
• Provides guidance and support to SPS staff - new OR providers - nursing - and nursing assistants
• Demonstrates outstanding aseptic technique and monitors sterile field to protect against breaks in sterile technique
• Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities
• Delivers care to patients in respectful - non-judgmental manner
• Respects patient privacy and confidentiality
• Provides individualized patient-centered care
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 7:00am to 3:30pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD01407A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized