Surgical Technician - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in San Antonio, TX, seeks a Surgical Technician to assist the surgical team during procedures. The role supports the surgeon, prepares instruments, maintains sterile technique, and ensures infection control standards are met.

The position emphasizes adherence to sterile processing, instrument handling, and coordination with the surgical staff. Shift schedules include rotated mornings/afternoons with on-site duties.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience in a surgical setting.
• Knowledge of sterile technique and aseptic practice.
• Experience with instrument setup and post-procedure decontamination.
• Transcript required if qualifying via education or combination of education/experience.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates anatomy knowledge to anticipate surgeon needs.
• Prepares instruments for a full range of procedures.
• Sets up for procedures and handles instrumentation.
• Prepares pathological specimens for lab testing.
• Performs instrument, sharps, and sponge counts per policy.
• Follows Universal Protocol and Time-Out procedures.
• Maintains supplies and assists in training surgical staff.

Skills

Aseptic technique

Surgical instruments

Sterilization

Infection control

OSHA knowledge

Tools

Sterilizer operations

Surgical sterile field setup

Job description

Summary

The Surgical Technician is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to 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 - 10/19/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge - skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position - and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled - in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Knowledge of highly technical medical/surgical instruments - human anatomy - physiology - and aseptic technique to prepare and protect the sterile field during surgery; Knowledge of sterile technique must include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization - packaging storage - and shelf life - also includes the proper cleaning techniques and the types of detergents to use on various items - as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies - handling of contaminated items - quality control - and personal hygiene; In-Depth knowledge of standard precautions and know how to implement infection control policies and procedures; Knowledge of operation and function of all surgical instruments and equipment - testing procedures to assure all equipment works - and proper postoperative decontamination procedures; Knowledgeable about and thoroughly understand the concepts and applicability of the Joint Commission (TJC) - Occupational Safety Health and Administration (OSHA). OR Education: Possess one full year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position to be filled. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) OR Combination of both experience and graduate education: Possess combination of both education and experience. Equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience to qualify at the GS-07 level. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-07 level. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-07 level. To calculate - first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting - you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-07. For example - an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience - including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. - Peace Corps - AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. - professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies - knowledge - and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience - including volunteer experience. Preferred Experience: Knowledge of aseptic technique Anticipate needs of the surgeon Set‑up a sterile field Knowledge of surgical instruments. 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

• A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual
• Major Duties: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge of anatomy and multiple complex surgical procedures to anticipate surgeon needs
• Prepares instruments for the full range of surgical procedures
• Sets up for the procedure and handles instrumentation
• Prepares pathological specimens for appropriate laboratory testing such as permanent - fresh - frozen - and cultures
• Preforms instrument count - sharps - and sponge counts according to policy
• Participates in proper patient identification and surgical site verification using Universal Protocol and Time‑Out procedures
• Assists coworkers to plan and prepare for surgical procedures using equipment properly and supplies effectively
• Participates and contributes to in‑service programs pertinent to the care of surgical patients
• Coordinates with Environmental Management Services for the cleaning of patient care areas after procedures and educates surgical personnel of environmental sanitation and proper PPE
• Complies with Infection Control policies and procedures
• Educates surgical personnel on aseptic technique - hand hygiene - and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Reads and adheres to SOPs - directives - policies and regulations to disassemble and prepare for high level disinfection of reusable medical equipment
• Preforms proper pre‑cleaning of instrumentation and prepare instrument sets and case carts for return to SPS
• Maintains proper levels of disposable and non‑disposable supplies
• Ensures that all instruments are maintained in sufficient quantity and in good order
• Assists in the selection and purchase of instruments - supplies - and equipment
• Assists with training military surgical technology students
• answers questions pertaining to surgical procedures
• PPE
• infection control policies and procedures
• Work Schedule: 6:30AM-3PM
• 9:30AM-6PM
• 11:30AM-8PM (call shift) Rotating weekend call
• All shifts rotate
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized/PD03450A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: This position requires the following physical functional requirement: - Moderate lifting - 15-35 pounds - Light lifting - under 15 pounds - Moderate carrying - 15-35 pounds - Light carrying - under 15 pounds - Straight pulling - 1 hour - Pushing - 1-3 hours - Reaching above shoulder - Use of fingers - Both hands required - Walking - 4 hours - Standing -2-7 hours - Kneeling - 2 hours - Repeated bending - 2 hours - Climbing - use of legs and arms - Both legs required - Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - Near vision correctable at 13\" to 16\" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - Visual acuity: 20140 DVA
• corrected - Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Hearing aid (permitted) - Sitting - 8 hours - Simple grasping - 2-4 hours - Fine manipulation - including keyboarding - 4-6 hours - Twisting - 2 hours - Mental and emotional stability - In addition - the incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or during patient operative/invasive procedures
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative - This position requires visual acuity (Correctable to