Surgical Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Surgical Technician with specialized experience in sterile technique and instrument handling. Applicants must have education aligned with surgical technology and must submit official transcripts with their materials.

The position requires at least one year of relevant federal experience at GS-6 level or higher, and graduates with related coursework may also qualify under combination rules. A detailed OPM standard reference is available in the posting.

Qualifications

• At least 1 full year of specialized experience at the GS-6 level in the Federal Service, with knowledge of medical instruments, anatomy, physiology and aseptic technique to protect sterile field.
• Education must include one year of graduate education or an internship in coursework related to surgical technology (anatomy, physiology, aseptic techniques), with transcripts submitted.
• Combination of graduate education and specialized experience can qualify if total percentage reaches 100 percent and transcripts are provided.

Skills

Specialized experience

Education

Graduate education/internship

Job description

OUR MISSION

To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans? To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/23/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

Specialized Experience GS-07-Grade Level

At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Surgical Technician. Specialized experience includes utilizing knowledge of medical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic technique to prepare and protect sterile field during surgery; exercising sterile technique to include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage, and shelf life; handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures; performing proper cleaning techniques, as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies; handling contaminated items, quality control, and personal hygiene, using knowledge of universal precautions and implementing infection control policies and procedures.

Education

Successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of 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. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

Combination

Combinations 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. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-07. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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/.