Surgical Technician — OR Support & Instrumentation

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Nashville seeks a Surgical Technician to join the operating room team. You will assist the surgeon and team during procedures and help plan and implement complex surgeries under supervision.

The role requires familiarity with sterile technique, instrument handling, and setup of OR equipment; training may be provided. The position emphasizes patient safety and teamwork in a fast-paced surgical environment.

Qualifications

• Specialized Experience: One year at least GS-6 level in operating room settings.
• Education can be substituted for experience with graduate coursework related to surgical technology.
• Preferred: completion of a Surgical Technologist program.

Responsibilities

• Anticipate needs of the surgical team
• Handle all specimens appropriately; perform sponge and instrument counts with the circulating RN
• Assist the surgeon by performing procedures (e.g., preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors)
• Assist in training in equipment, sterile technique, and scrub role
• Perform non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions
• Recognize hazardous situations and take corrective action
• Assess equipment needs and maintain stock of supplies

Skills

Surgical team collaboration

Sterile technique

Patient positioning

Education

Graduate education in anatomy/physiology

Surgical technology coursework

Tools

Air-powered equipment

Fiber optic equipment

Laparoscopic equipment

Microscopes

Lasers

Arthroscopy equipment

Urologic equipment

Job description

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Nashville seeks a Surgical Technician to join the operating room team. You will assist the surgeon and team during procedures and help plan and implement complex surgeries under supervision.

The role requires familiarity with sterile technique, instrument handling, and setup of OR equipment; training may be provided. The position emphasizes patient safety and teamwork in a fast-paced surgical environment.