Surgical Technician

Summary

The Surgical Technician is a member of the surgical team and aids the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The incumbent participates with surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the Surgeon and Registered Nurse. This position is one of three staff in the organization that have specialized training to work at the side of the surgeon during procedures.

Duties

Possess expertise in the application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, implementation tools and technology to facilitate a surgeon's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. Function as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures. Prepare instruments, supplies and equipment, and assist operative team according to Operating Room procedures. Adheres to principles of strict aseptic technique in preparing set-up for specific procedures. Prepare, organize, and maintain highly complex sterile surgical set-ups. Ensures proper disposal of instruments, linen, trash, needles, sponges, and all biomedical waste. Assists with positioning and draping of patients for specific procedures. Report and document pertinent patient and/or supply/equipment information pertaining to surgery. Observe and respond promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipate the needs of the surgeon. Knowledgeable of a wide variety of complex surgical procedures and possible complications. Proper handling of surgical specimens. Participates in departmental process improvements. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:00am-3:30pm, Monday-Friday with rotational on call duties for after hour service, weekends and holidays. Compressed/Flexible: To be determined by management Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD00641A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/11/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Surgical Technician. Specialized experience includes utilizing knowledge of medical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic technique to prepare and protect sterile field during surgery; exercising sterile technique to include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage, and shelf life; handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures; performing proper cleaning techniques, as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies; handling contaminated items, quality control, and personal hygiene, using knowledge of universal precautions and implementing infection control policies and procedures. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment OR, Education: Successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position such as anatomy and physiology, surgical technology, aseptic techniques, etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Preferred Experience 3-5 years of Surgical Technologist experience in the operating room setting 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/. Physical Requirements: Duties require regular and recurring physical exertion. Manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of who are at various stages of unconsciousness is a regular occurrence. Extensive periods of regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, reaching, and prolonged stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments and supplies for the surgeon is required. The incumbent must be dexterous in passing instruments to surgeons without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the surgeon, while also promoting safe handling practice, limiting potential for injury. Patient sometimes are positioned in a manner which may require the surgical technologist to work in a strained position for an extended period of time to perform duties. The incumbent must frequently wear 20-30 pound lead aprons as protection from radiation during various procedures during the performance of their regular duties.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.