Surgical Technician (Operating Room)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Surgical Technician to support the surgical team in planning and executing complex procedures under supervision. The technician assists with patient positioning, prepping, and maintaining a sterile field during operations.

The role emphasizes infection control, patient safety, and collaboration to ensure prostheses/devices are properly handled when required.

Qualifications

• Specialized Experience: one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06.
• Education: one full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) or internship in courses directly related to surgical technician work.
• Combination: education plus specialized experience meeting total requirements for the grade, with relevant graduate courses such as anatomy, physiology, surgical technology, aseptic techniques.

Responsibilities

• Assist surgical team with patient positioning, prepping, and setting up the operative field.
• Recognize changes in patient condition and take appropriate actions.
• Provide guidance and support to staff regarding infection control and patient safety protocol.

Job description

The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the Surgical Specialty Operating Room surgical team. The ST aids the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The ST 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, 10/16/2026.

Individual Occupational Requirements:

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 requires application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled.

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

• 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: Assisting surgical team with patient positioning, prepping, and setting up the operative field. Providing transportation of patients to and from the surgical/operating room. Recognizing changes in patient condition and takes appropriate actions in response to the situations. Providing guidance and support to staff regarding infection control and patient safety protocol. Preparing prosthesis and/or surgical devices during procedures. Preparing, organizing, and maintaining highly complex sterile surgical setups; monitoring and maintaining sterile practices throughout surgical procedures. 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 (18 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the surgical technician position. 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 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.

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/.