What are the responsibilities and job description for the Surgical Technician position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 07/06/2026. Individual Occupation Requirement: 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: Handles the instruments - supplies - and equipment during all surgical procedures to include extremely complex procedures independently. Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals - including ''Time-out" procedures - and assures that all supplies and equipment are available before procedure begins Utilizes Standard Precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens - supplies and equipment. Provides guidance and support to Nursing assistants - Clerical Staff - and other Surgical Technicians Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities. 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-7. Preferred Experience: Two or more years of surgical technologist experience within a hospital operating room setting. CST certification preferred. 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/.
Duties
The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 07/06/2026. Individual Occupation Requirement: 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: Handles the instruments - supplies - and equipment during all surgical procedures to include extremely complex procedures independently. Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals - including ''Time-out" procedures - and assures that all supplies and equipment are available before procedure begins Utilizes Standard Precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens - supplies and equipment. Provides guidance and support to Nursing assistants - Clerical Staff - and other Surgical Technicians Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities. 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-7. Preferred Experience: Two or more years of surgical technologist experience within a hospital operating room setting. CST certification preferred. 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/.
Duties
- Major Duties include but are not limited to: Provide emotional support to patients before - during and after surgery
- Provide transportation of patients to and from the surgical/operating room
- Observe and respond promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure
- Understand and follow protocols for handling various specimens
- Performs sharps - sponge - and instrument counts of surgical items before and after surgical procedures
- Anticipate the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time
- Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm (with call expectations to include off-hours - weekends - and holidays) Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD09870A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Salary : $50,460 - $65,599