Surgical Technician - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Surgical Technician to join the operating room team. The role supports the surgeon during procedures and helps prepare the sterile field, instruments, and supplies under supervision.

Ideal candidates will have knowledge of aseptic technique, sterilization, infection control, and familiarity with surgical instruments. This position requires meeting all qualification standards by the closing date and may involve transcript submission

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06.
• Knowledge of sterile technique and aseptic processing.
• Familiarity with surgical instruments and equipment.
• Understanding of infection control policies and OSHA/JCAHO concepts.
• Transcript required if substituting education for experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist surgeon and team during procedures.
• Prepare and maintain sterile field during surgery.
• Set up surgical instruments and equipment.
• Follow infection control and OSHA/JCAHO standards.

Skills

Aseptic technique

Surgical instruments

Infection control

Sterilization

Operating room

Team coordination

Education

Graduate education

Specialized experience (GS-07)

Tools

Sterilizer operations

Medical terminology

Anatomy knowledge

Job description

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. 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/.