Surgical Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Surgical Technician is a member of the surgical team who assists the surgeon and team during procedures, planning and implementing complex surgeries under supervision. Qualification includes specialized experience and potential education substitutions, with physical requirements emphasizing lifting, standing, and dexterity to pass instruments aseptically.

Educational options include graduate study related to surgical technology, anatomy, and aseptic techniques.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the organization, typically including OR work and sterile field setup.
• Experience assisting the surgeon with procedures such as skin grafts, suctioning, retractors, skin staples and sutures.
• Education can substitute for experience with a full year of graduate education or internship in surgical technology-related courses.
• Combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience acceptable if coursework directly relates to Surgical Technician duties.

Responsibilities

• Assist the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures and maintain aseptic conditions.
• Set up sterile fields and ensure instruments and supplies are ready for procedures.

Skills

Operating room experience

Sterile technique

Suctioning

Education

Graduate education in related field

Anatomy and physiology coursework

Tools

Air-powered equipment

Fiber optic equipment

Laparoscopic equipment

Microscopes

Lasers

Arthroscopy equipment

Urologic equipment

Job description

The Surgical Technician is a member of the surgical team and assists the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/10/2026.

REQUIREMENT: 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, candidates must meet the specialized experience below:

Specialized Experience: 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: working in an operating room and setting up a sterile field with all required items for surgical procedures (i.e., air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating room (OR) supplies and equipment, etc.); use proper sterilization and cleaning techniques on instruments and equipment; and assist surgeon by performing such procedures such as skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples and cutting sutures.

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 (1) full year of graduate education (or 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.

OR,

Combination: 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. Equivalent combination of successfully completed some 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 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.

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 surgical technician 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.

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/.