Surgical Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Tucson, AZ seeks a Surgical Technician to support the surgical team. The role involves assisting the surgeon and perioperative staff during procedures and maintaining an aseptic environment.

Applicants must meet all qualification standards and be proficient in English as required by policy. The position is located in the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System within the Critical Care Service.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the Surgical Technician occupation.
• Education can substitute for experience: one full year of graduate education or an internship in related subjects.
• Combination of education and experience meeting total requirements is acceptable, with graduate courses directly related to surgical technology.
• Completion of a Surgical Technologist program is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist the surgeon and surgical team during procedures and perioperative preparation.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain sterile field and instruments, supplies, and equipment.
• Observe and respond to stages of surgery to anticipate surgeon needs and ensure aseptic technique.

Skills

Surgical assistance

Aseptic technique

Sterile field management

Instrument handling

Education

Graduate education related to surgical technology

Internship in related field

Job description

This position is located within the Critical Care Service at the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System in Tucson, AZ. The Surgical Technician is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other healthcare team members during surgical procedures and perioperative preparation of these procedures. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/18/2026.

English Language Proficiency Requirement: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to perform the duties of this position. ~AND~

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

GS-07 Level

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: functioning as the primary scrub person or providing assistance to a surgical team during/for surgical procedures in at least half of the following specialties: Orthopedics (Totals), Vascular (Open and Endo). Ophthalmology, Urology, Gynecology, general, plastics and Cardiothoracic; utilizing knowledge of highly technical medical instruments, human anatomy, and aseptic technique to prepare and protect the sterile field during surgery; functioning as the primary scrub person handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures; preparing, organizing, and maintaining highly complex sterile surgical setups; observing and responding to each stage of a surgical procedure to anticipate the needs of the surgeon; handling specimens appropriately; and cleaning and decontaminating instruments before and after procedures. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates, AND hours worked per week. 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.

Preferred Qualification

Completion of a Surgical Technologist program.

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/.