Surgical Technician - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized

Summary

The Surgical Technician is a member of the Surgical Specialty Operating Room surgical team. The employee will directly assist the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. They participate as an active member of the surgical team with the preprocedural planning, setup and implementation of complex sterile fields, instrumentations, and equipment. *Closing date extended to 10/30/2026-Aplicants will be reviewed and referred at regular intervals until the position has been filled.

Duties

The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) consists of a comprehensive Tertiary Care Level I VA Health Care System; eleven VA Clinics and two Homeless Veterans Outreach Centers and has an affiliate agreement with the top ranked University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. ICVAHCS is home to the Center for Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE), one of the largest research departments in the VA. CADRE is an energetic and upbeat organization with 18 core investigators, 29 affiliate or associate investigators, 3 Career Development Awardees, 5 VA Quality Scholars, over 50 research personnel, and over 40 funded projects. https://www.va.gov/iowa-city-health-care/about-us/ Major duties include but are not limited to: Set up and operate various medical equipment, necessitating a working knowledge of all required instruments and equipment used for each procedure. Initiate care and cleaning of equipment and understand appropriate sterilization parameters to ensure they are properly processed and sterilized between patient use. Monitor daily surgery schedules. Ensure all infection control principles for sterile environment and set up are met and maintained through the entire procedure. Inspect package/tray contents to ensure all sterilization indicators have appropriately changed color. Collaborate with surgeon, sales representative, and circulating nurse to ensure the correct prosthetics/implants (model, size, and sterility parameters) are available. Observe and respond promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipate the needs of the surgeon. Ensure appropriate handling of specimens. Assist in monitoring sterile supplies. Answer telephones and assist with surgery scheduling needs and questions. Performs other duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm; shift during call weeks is 11:00am - 7:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized/PD50535A, PD50469A, and PD50470A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/30/2026. You must qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: English Language Requirement: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. GS-04 Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have at least six (6) months of general experience and six (6) months of specialized experience. General experience is (1) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area (anatomy and physiology, surgical technology, aseptic techniques, etc.) of the occupation. Specialized experience includes sterilizing required items for procedures; utilizing medical terminology in order to communicate with health care providers and team members and follow instructions; assisting team members during surgical procedures. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 2 years of study above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects that 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: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 1 year of post-high school education. GS-05 Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Surgical Technician. Specialized experience includes assisting with the preparation and protection of sterile fields during surgery; reviewing and testing instruments and equipment prior to procedures to ensure equipment works; handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during surgical procedures; assisting team members with care of the patient, i.e., positioning, prepping, and transportation to and from the OR. 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: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to 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: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 2 years of post-high school education. GS-06 Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge, sk