Surgical Technician

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Surgical Technician to assist the surgical team during procedures and support planning and implementation of complex operations under supervision.

The role requires experience in sterile technique, instrument handling, and operating room readiness, with duties including passing instruments, counts, and aiding surgeons as needed. Candidates should have graduate-level coursework related to anatomy, physiology, and surgical technology, with the

Qualifications

• Experience in operating room and sterile field setup.
• Knowledge of aseptic technique and instrument handling.
• Ability to assist surgeon with procedures and skin grafts.

Responsibilities

• Anticipate needs of the surgical team.
• Assist surgeon by performing specified procedures and handling instruments.
• Maintain sterile setup and ensure equipment readiness.
• Perform sponge and instrument counts with RN.
• Identify and correct hazardous conditions in OR.

Skills

Sterile technique

Sponge/instrument counts

Instrument handling

Operating room prep

Team collaboration

Education

Graduate education in anatomy/physiology

Surgical technology coursework

Tools

Air-powered equipment

Fiber optic equipment

Laparoscopic equipment

Microscopes

Lasers

Job description

Summary

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.

Qualifications

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/.

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to: Anticipate needs of the surgical team
• Handle all specimens appropriately Perform sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy in conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN)
• Assist the surgeon by performing specific procedures (i.e
• preparing skin grafts - suctioning - holding retractors - etc.)
• Assist in training in the operation of equipment - sterile technique - handling of instruments - and/or specific procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures
• Perform non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions
• Recognize potentially hazardous situations (i.e
• frayed cords - water on floor) and take corrective action(s)
• Assess equipment needs and maintain adequate stock of supplies and materials
• Serve as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments - supplies - and equipment during all surgical procedures
• Use proper cleaning techniques and types of detergents to use on various items
• Proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies - handling of contaminated items - quality control and personal hygiene
• Prepare - organize and maintain highly complex sterile surgical setups
• Maintain Operating Room (OR) area
• Plan and discuss each procedure with surgical professionals and ensure all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure
• Respond to surgical team with speed and accuracy during surgical procedures
• Assist the team members with care of the patient (i.e. - positioning - prepping - obtaining supplies - etc.)
• Work Schedule: Based on the needs of the service Position Description/PD#: PD06637A DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA
• Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.