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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Surgical Technician Near Salt Lake, UT

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Individual Occupational Requirements

Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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.
Or, Education and Training:
For GS-4: Successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects related to the position.
For GS-5: Successful completion of 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 position.

Specialized Experience:

GS-04 grade level: 6 months of specialized experience; 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: assisting with the preparation and protection of sterile fields during surgery; monitoring and maintaining aseptic techniques throughout surgical procedures; handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during 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.
OR, 2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation.

GS 05 grade level: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal Service that has given me the 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; monitoring and maintaining aseptic techniques throughout surgical procedures; handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during 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,
Successfully completed 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation of 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.

GS 06 grade level: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal Service that has given me the 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; monitoring and maintaining aseptic techniques throughout surgical procedures; handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during 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,
Successfully completed one-half year of graduate education (9 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.

GS 07 grade level: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given me the 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; monitoring and maintaining aseptic techniques throughout surgical procedures; handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during 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,
Successfully completed one-half year of graduate education (9 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: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-7Experience 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.

Responsibilities:

Duties include but not limited to:

• Sets up and ensures all materials are readily available for surgical procedures.
• Communicates with and treats all customers, both internal and external, in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
• Functions and responds appropriately under high stress situations and during complex medical procedures.
• Provides assistance to the surgeons and other team members during surgical procedures.
• Participates with surgical team in the planning and implementation of complex procedures.
• Functions as a primary scrub person for all instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures.
• Sets up sterile fields properly and in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
• Ensures all supplies and equipment are available prior to surgical procedures.
• Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 7:00am-5:30 pm with rotating days off and on-call requirements.
Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD10338A, PD10337A, PD10336A, and PD10339A
Physical Requirements: Regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of which are stages of unconsciousness. There are 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. Incumbent must be dexterous in passing instruments to surgeons without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or' not effort from the surgeon.
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.
Recruitment Incentives: Authorized

Job Summary