Surgical Technician

Surgical Technician at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range
: $54,365.00/yr - $70,678.00/yr

Surgical Technician is an integral member of the surgical team and provide assistance to surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures ranging from local anesthesia cases (biopsies and excision) to vascular and micro‑vascular surgery; including ear‑hand, facial‑and vascular reconstruction. Must be prepared to adapt to new procedures in a changing surgical environment participating with surgical team planning and implementing complex procedures under supervision of surgical team.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the Individual Occupation Requirement and Specialized Experience/Education. Each of these items is a separate requirement.

• Specialized Experience
  :
  One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS‑06. Examples include working in an operating room, assisting surgeons during medical procedures, setting up a sterile field with all required items (air‑powered equipment, fiber‑optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices and other operating room supplies and equipment), handling highly technical medical instruments, using human anatomy, physiology and aseptic technique, handling specimens, preparing and protecting the sterile field, working with complex surgical procedures, reporting observations and immediate procedural needs, recognizing emergent complications, operating the sterilization machine, and implementing infection control procedures.
• Education
  :
  Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. One full year of graduate education with courses directly related to the work of the position is required for GS‑7; two full years or a master’s degree for GS‑9. Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS‑5 only when it is directly related to the work.
• Combination
  :
  Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

• Primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as thoracic, major vascular, neurosurgery, microsurgery & total joint replacement surgery.
• Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure (air‑powered equipment, fiber‑optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices and other operating room supplies and equipment).
• Plans and anticipates need for unique specialty equipment and instrumentation (hyperthermia equipment and fracture tables).
• Assures the surgical team of functioning equipment & proper lighting.
• Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals & assures that all supplies & equipment are available prior to the procedure.
• Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical set‑ups.
• Maintains sterility of the environment & independently plans for easy access to emergency instruments & equipment.
• Scrubs on complex surgical procedures using strict aseptic techniques.
• Assists in preparation, positioning, & draping of patients to facilitate safe intervention.
• Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the procedure, anticipating the surgeon’s needs.
• Proficient in handing instruments/equipment to the surgeon and anticipating the surgeon’s needs.
• Recognizes non‑verbal signals by the surgeon and responds quickly and appropriately.
• Uses universal precautions & follows all infection control policies when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
• Handles all specimens appropriately.
• Observes the surgical site continuously, remaining attentive for adverse situations or breaks in sterile techniques.
• Performs sponge and instrument counts with the circulating RN.
• Accounts for all…