This position is located within the Bay Pines VA Healthcare system in Bay Pines, Florida and the Lee County Healthcare Center in Cape Coral, Florida in the Perioperative Nursing Service. The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the surgical team and aids the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The ST participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgeon.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the federal service); 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. Individual Occupational Requirements: 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. In addition to the IOR 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: Help others learn, Promote infection prevention and control, Encourage and facilitate cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity, Use knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job, and the ability to identify, control, mitigate, and eliminate safety hazards in the design and use of facilities, equipment, operations, and work processes. Preferred Experience: At least 2 years of OR experience Current Surgical Technician certification There is no educational substitution for the GS-07 level. Experience 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.
Duties include, but are not limited to: Function as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures. Set up a sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air powered equipment, microscopes, lasers, robotic equipment, and other operating room supplies and equipment. Plan and discuss each procedure with surgical professionals and assure that all supplies and equipment are available prior to surgical procedure. Prepare, organize, and maintain highly complex sterile surgical setups. Observe and respond promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipate the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time. Utilize universal precautions and follow all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens supplies and equipment. Assist the team members with the care of the patient. Assist the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts suctioning holding retractors applying skin staples and cutting sutures. Perform non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Maintain OR area, monitor front OR desk and handle OR phone calls as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:00am-3:30pm with on-call Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD07991A Physical Requirements: 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.