The Surgical Technician functions as a member of the surgical team, aids the surgeon during surgical procedures, and participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures. The VA ambulatory surgery unit is a joint venture with Department of Defense and is located at the US Air Force Academy (10th MDG), and Evans Army Community Hospital at Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, CO.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/10/2025. Individual Occupational Requirement for Health Aid and Technician Series (0640): 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, candidates must also meet one of the following requirements: 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: utilizing knowledge of medical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic technique to prepare and protect sterile field during surgery; exercising sterile technique to include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage, and shelf life; handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures; performing proper cleaning techniques, as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies; handling contaminated items, quality control, and personal hygiene, using knowledge of universal precautions and implementing infection control policies and procedures. 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 (1) full year of graduate education (18 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 OR Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position. 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 include but are not limited to: Assisting surgical team with patient positioning, prepping, and setting up the operative field Recognizing changes in patient condition and takes appropriate actions in response to the situation Providing guidance and support to staff regarding infection control and patient safety protocol Planning and discussing each procedure with surgical professionals to determine proper positioning and assurances of all supplies/equipment are available Assisting the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures Preparing prosthesis and/or surgical devices during procedures Assisting in training staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and operating room/surgical procedures Preparing, organizing, and maintaining highly complex sterile surgical setups Utilizing universal precautions to protect patients and staff from exposure to any infectious materials Following all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment Monitoring and maintaining sterile practices throughout surgical procedures Cleaning and sterilizing surgical equipment using appropriate methods, germicides and sterilizers Anticipating the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time. Work Schedule: Full-time Monday - Friday 6:30 AM - 3:00 PM Position Description/PD#: Health Technician - Surgical Technician/PD11576A Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of which are in 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 without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the surgeon.