Summary Health Technician (Surgical Technician) is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. Participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. Responsibilities Relocation or Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified individual. Duties include, but are not limited to: Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical and endoscopic procedures such as: thoracic, oncology, laparoscopic, podiatry, gynecology, urology and total joint replacement surgery Setting up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices and other operating room supplies and equipment Planning and discussing each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure Preparing, organizing and maintaining highly complex sterile surgical setups Observing and responding promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipating the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time Utilizing universal precautions and following all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies and equipment Handling all specimens appropriately Functioning as second circulator for complex surgical procedures Maintains Equipment and Work Areas Performing non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions Maintaining OR area Recognizing potentially hazardous situations ( e.g., frayed cords, water on floor) and takes corrective action Provides Guidance/Supervision Providing guidance and support to Nursing Assistants and other Surgical Technicians (Operating Room Nursing Assistants) Supervising volunteers, aides, non-surgical team members, students and other personnel Other Duties Assisting surgical team members. in quality improvement activities Work Schedule: Fulltime, Monday thru Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., plus after hours and weekend on call Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Surgical Technician) - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized/PD504-2085-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual: Relocation incentives may be authorized to full-time Federal employees who must change worksites & physically relocate to a different geographic area when the approving official determines that without the incentive, it would be difficult to fill the position with a high-quality candidate. Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual: Recruitment incentives may be authorized to full-time, part time or intermittent individuals in their first appointment as a Federal employee or to a newly appointed former Federal employee with at least a 90-day break in service. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Bargaining Unit position Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Required Documents" below for details. Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/29/2025. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Individual Occupational Requirement: 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 required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:knowledge of highly technical medical 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; knowledge of a wide variety of complex surgical and endoscopic procedures and possible complications in order to prepare for the procedure, to anticipate the needs of the surgical and endoscopic team, to respond with speed and accuracy, and to report observations and immediate procedural needs to the RN circulator; knowledge of anatomy, physiology and protocol to select the correct instruments for a procedure anticipating the needs of the surgeon during the procedure and on a regular and recurring basis recognize and respond to a variety of critical situations, including emergency and life threatening conditions; technical knowledge on the use and effects of anesthesia in order to recognize the hazards of anesthetic agents and to recognize and respond to adverse conditions during the course of the procedure; know how to prepare instruments for gas and steam sterilization; knowledge of proper patient positioning depending on the types of procedures, be able to provide emotional support to patients, and be able to assist anesthesia providers when implanting pain control devices; must possess advanced knowledge of medical terminology to be able to understand written and verbal requests of procedures and knowledge of proper patient positioning depending on the types of procedures, be able to provide emotional support to patients and be able to assist anesthesia providers when implanting pain control devices and must possess advanced knowledge of medical terminology to be able to understand written and verbal requests of procedures. 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/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information "Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act." Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.