What are the responsibilities and job description for the Surgical Technician position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
The Surgical Technician is a member of the surgical team and aids the surgeon and other team members in the Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System (NWIHCS) Omaha Hospital Operating Room Department to plan and implement complex surgical procedures under the general direction of the surgeon and Registered Nurse. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 05/01/2026. You may qualify for GS-04 based on your experience and/or education as described below: 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: To receive credit - experience must clearly indicate the nature of 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 education beyond high school (beyond 1 year) and specialized experience - as described above - which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include 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. You may qualify for GS-05 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-04 in the normal line of progression that has given you 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 Operating Room. NOTE: To receive credit - experience must clearly indicate the nature of 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 education beyond post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience - as described above - which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include 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. You may qualify for GS-06 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-05 in the normal line of progression that has given you the particular knowledge - skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Surgical Technician. Specialized experience includes: Preparing sterile fields for surgical procedures. Monitoring and maintaining aseptic techniques throughout surgical procedures. Handling medical instruments - supplies - and equipment during surgical procedures. Performing proper cleaning techniques. Handling and rotation of sterile supplies. Properly handling contaminated items applying knowledge of universal precautions; and implementing infection control policies and procedures. NOTE: To receive credit - experience must clearly indicate the nature of 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 one-half (1/2) 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. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education in excess of undergraduate education or an internship that meets the specialized experience required. 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. 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 is a member of the surgical team and aids the surgeon and other team members in the Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System (NWIHCS) Omaha Hospital Operating Room Department to plan and implement complex surgical procedures under the general direction of the surgeon and Registered Nurse. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 05/01/2026. You may qualify for GS-04 based on your experience and/or education as described below: 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: To receive credit - experience must clearly indicate the nature of 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 education beyond high school (beyond 1 year) and specialized experience - as described above - which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include 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. You may qualify for GS-05 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-04 in the normal line of progression that has given you 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 Operating Room. NOTE: To receive credit - experience must clearly indicate the nature of 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 education beyond post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience - as described above - which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include 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. You may qualify for GS-06 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-05 in the normal line of progression that has given you the particular knowledge - skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Surgical Technician. Specialized experience includes: Preparing sterile fields for surgical procedures. Monitoring and maintaining aseptic techniques throughout surgical procedures. Handling medical instruments - supplies - and equipment during surgical procedures. Performing proper cleaning techniques. Handling and rotation of sterile supplies. Properly handling contaminated items applying knowledge of universal precautions; and implementing infection control policies and procedures. NOTE: To receive credit - experience must clearly indicate the nature of 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 one-half (1/2) 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. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education in excess of undergraduate education or an internship that meets the specialized experience required. 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. 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: Provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures
- Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical team to ensure all supplies and equipment are available prior to surgical procedures
- Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments - supplies and equipment
- Prepares - organizes and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups
- Provides guidance and support to professional staff during surgical procedures
- Understands the proper procedure and safety precautions for disinfecting surgical instruments
- Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions
- Recognizes potentially hazardous situations and takes corrective action
- Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials
- Performs other related 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 (with on call obligations) Telework: This position is not authorized for telework
- Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD70661A - PD70464A - and PD70463A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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
- Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
- Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
- Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients - most of who are at 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
- The ST 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
- Work Environment: Duties are performed in the operating rooms which require special OR attire with regular and recurring exposure to toxic and noxious gases such as: methylmethracrylate - exposure to x-rays - and pure oxygen - exposure to blood and body fluids which are often infectious - and laser beams requiring special safety precautions
- The OR requires diligence to prevent surgical fires that may occur due to unsafe acts - equipment - etc
- Appropriate scrub attire is required - including sterile gown and gloves - surgical caps to cover the ST's hair - and surgical mask in order to provide aseptic special attire such as a \"space helmet\" or hood used during total joint replacements
- The ST must wear protective eyewear such as goggles or face shield to prevent inadvertent splash injuries to his or her eyes
- Appropriate laser glasses must be worn when working with lasers
- The ST must frequently wear a 20-30 pound lead apron as protections from radiation during various procedures
- Required personal protective equipment is provided by the facility
- The operating room work environment is complex - intense and fast paced
- Good mental and emotional health is required in order to function at an optimum level.
Salary : $45,852 - $74,341