Surgical Technician - Recruitment Incentive Authorized

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 54,365 - 70,678; Full time

Job summary

A government health agency is seeking a Surgical Technician to play a vital role in assisting surgeons during various surgical procedures. This position involves maintaining sterile environments, managing instruments, and collaborating with the surgical team. Candidates should have an Associate’s Degree in Surgical Technology and specialized experience in an operating room. The job offers full-time employment with several responsibilities critical for patient safety and successful surgical outcomes.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience assisting surgeons during medical procedures.
• Must have knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.
• Ability to handle technical medical instruments.

Responsibilities

• Assist surgeons during various surgical procedures.
• Maintain sterile environments and manage surgical instruments.
• Collaborate with surgical teams to ensure readiness for procedures.

Skills

Sterile technique

Operating room assistance

Handling surgical instruments

Infection control procedures

Education

Associate’s Degree in Surgical Technology

Tools

Surgical instruments

Operating room supplies

Job description

Surgical Technician at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Pay Range

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range: $54,365.00/yr - $70,678.00/yr

Summary

Surgical Technician is an integral member of the surgical team and provide assistance to surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures ranging from local anesthesia cases (biopsies and excision) to vascular and micro‑vascular surgery; including ear‑hand, facial‑and vascular reconstruction. Must be prepared to adapt to new procedures in a changing surgical environment participating with surgical team planning and implementing complex procedures under supervision of surgical team.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the Individual Occupation Requirement and Specialized Experience/Education. Each of these items is a separate requirement.

• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS‑06. Examples include working in an operating room, assisting surgeons during medical procedures, setting up a sterile field with all required items (air‑powered equipment, fiber‑optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices and other operating room supplies and equipment), handling highly technical medical instruments, using human anatomy, physiology and aseptic technique, handling specimens, preparing and protecting the sterile field, working with complex surgical procedures, reporting observations and immediate procedural needs, recognizing emergent complications, operating the sterilization machine, and implementing infection control procedures.
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. One full year of graduate education with courses directly related to the work of the position is required for GS‑7; two full years or a master’s degree for GS‑9. Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS‑5 only when it is directly related to the work.
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

Previous experience in a Surgical Technician role preferred. Associate’s Degree in Surgical Technology preferred.

Duties

• Primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as thoracic, major vascular, neurosurgery, microsurgery & total joint replacement surgery.
• Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure (air‑powered equipment, fiber‑optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices and other operating room supplies and equipment).
• Plans and anticipates need for unique specialty equipment and instrumentation (hyperthermia equipment and fracture tables).
• Assures the surgical team of functioning equipment & proper lighting.
• Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals & assures that all supplies & equipment are available prior to the procedure.
• Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical set‑ups.
• Maintains sterility of the environment & independently plans for easy access to emergency instruments & equipment.
• Scrubs on complex surgical procedures using strict aseptic techniques.
• Assists in preparation, positioning, & draping of patients to facilitate safe intervention.
• Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the procedure, anticipating the surgeon’s needs.
• Proficient in handing instruments/equipment to the surgeon and anticipating the surgeon’s needs.
• Recognizes non‑verbal signals by the surgeon and responds quickly and appropriately.
• Uses universal precautions & follows all infection control policies when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
• Handles all specimens appropriately.
• Observes the surgical site continuously, remaining attentive for adverse situations or breaks in sterile techniques.
• Performs sponge and instrument counts with the circulating RN.
• Accounts for all surgical instruments & equipment during the procedure.
• Reports correct/incorrect counts to the surgeon.
• Assumes joint responsibility with the surgeon for tissue specimens, culture, and hardware, ensuring critical specimen information is transmitted to the circulating nurse.
• Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, OR technology students, and new OR staff in equipment operation, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and OR procedures.
• Independently recognizes and remedies errors in sterile technique.
• Provides guidance and support to other Surgical Technicians & approved students in surgical technology programs.
• Moves and transports patients within the OR suite, recovery room, and holding areas, ensuring safe transport of anxious or sedated/anesthetized patients.
• Ensures safe transport includes awareness of drains, hemodynamic lines, IVs, pumps, catheters, proper positioning, protection of the surgical wound, and maintenance of O₂ to support airway.
• Performs non‑technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions.
• Maintains complicated surgical equipment and instrumentation for assigned specialty areas, including inventory and establishing levels for specialty supplies.
• Reviews and revises instrument sets to provide adequate instrumentation while deleting unnecessary items.
• Ensures instruments are in good working order.
• Continually assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials.
• Constantly updates knowledge of new surgical procedures and equipment.
• Recognizes potentially hazardous equipment situations (e.g., frayed cords, water on floor) and takes corrective action.
• Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities.
• Works closely with OR RN staff to develop educational programs for peers.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Work schedule: Day tour of duty with on‑call and some weekend requirements.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD30189A; Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized (2‑year Service Agreement); Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Seniority level

Entry level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Health Care Provider
Government Administration