Surgical Technician

The incumbent is assigned to Nursing Service and serves as the Surgical Technician for the Operating Room (OR) and surgical clinics at the Central Texas VA Health Care System in Temple, Texas. The incumbent is supervised by the Nurse Manager, Perioperative Care and/or designee.

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. At the full performance level, the incumbent will perform a variety of duties, including, but not limited to the following: Participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. Functions as the primary scrub person, responsible for handing instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as, but not limited to thoracic, neurosurgery, EENT, vascular and total joint surgery. Independently sets up the sterile field with all required instruments, supplies and equipment for each procedure to include, but not limited to: air powered instrumentation, endoscopy, laparoscopy, arthroscopy, urologic equipment, lasers, microscopes, and recording devices. Plans and discusses each procedure with the RN, and surgical team. Assures all instruments, supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure. Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex surgical setups. Practices sterile technique, preparing instrumentation independently and without direct supervision, utilizing aseptic technique, maintaining a sterile field intra-operatively. Transports patients pre-operatively and post-operatively acquiring needed supplies, medications, blood, reports, and equipment throughout the perioperative process. Uses computers on a daily basis for various functions such as, reading and sending email communications, entering patient information, requesting leave, etc. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm; with rotational on-call requirements 7:30am - 6pm or longer if there are cases. Call Cases may be after hours, including weekends and holidays. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician GS-3: 7881-A, GS-4: 7880-A, GS-5: 7879-A, GS-6 01392A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.