Summary

The Surgical Technician provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures at the Salisbury VA Medical Center - Veterans Healthcare System - Salisbury - NC. 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 - 06/24/2026. 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: Handling instruments - supplies - and equipment during all surgical procedures such as: open hear - thoracic - major vascular - neurosurgery - microsurgery - and total joint replacement surgery; assisting surgeons by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts - suctioning - holding retractor - applying skin staples - and cutting sutures; utilizing universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens - supplies - and equipment; setting up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment - fiber optic equipment - laparoscopic equipment - microscopes - lasers - arthroscopy equipment - urologic equipment - recording devices - and other operating room supplies and equipment; other related duties performed by a Surgical Technician. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have One (1) full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-7 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. NOTE: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required where it is directly related to the work of the position. (Transcripts Required) 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/. Preferred Experience/Certifications: If you have the experience/certifications - please ensure information is listed on your resume. 2 years current or recent Operating Room (OR) experience with ambulatory basic procedures. Previous experience working under microscope using aseptic technique to deliver required instrumentation to physician for use in the procedure. Experience in responding to acute trauma injuries in the operating room. Experience and understanding of the biological physiology of disease conditions that requires surgical intervention Certifications: Certified Surgical Technician (CST)/ Basic Life Support (BLS) Certified proof of certifications Physical Requirements: The work will require recurrent bending - lifting - stooping - standing - squatting - stretching - sitting - and walking. Generally - the work requires recurring physical exertion with assisting patients. Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients - most of which are at various 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 with compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the surgeon. Prepares prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures.

Duties

• The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the Surgeon and Registered Nurse (RN)
• The Surgical Technician performs the following major duties: Functions as a scrub person responsible for handling instruments - supplies - and equipment during all surgical procedures such as: open hear - thoracic - major vascular - neurosurgery - microsurgery - and total joint replacement surgery
• Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts - suctioning - holding retractor - applying skin staples - and cutting sutures
• Prepares prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures
• Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens - supplies - and equipment
• Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment - fiber optic equipment - laparoscopic equipment - microscopes - lasers - arthroscopy equipment - urologic equipment - recording devices - and other operating room supplies and equipment
• Assists the team members with care of patient - i.e. - positioning - prepping - and obtaining supplies
• Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure
• Prepares - organizes - and maintains complex sterile surgical set-ups
• Handles all specimens appropriately
• Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedures and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time
• Performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy
• Responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure
• Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (e.g. - frayed cords - water on floor) and take corrective action
• Performs other related duties as assigned in the position description
• Work Schedule: Fulltime - Days - 8 to10 hour tours of duty based on needs of agency Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD50204A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized