Surgical Technician (Operating Room)
What you'd do
The Surgical Technician-Operating Room is located at Durham VA Medical Center and is part of the Perioperative Surgery Team. Provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. Participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team.
Major duties
Major duties assigned but other duties could be assigned: Prepare operating rooms for surgery by setting up surgical instruments and equipment Ensure all surgical instruments are sterilized properly before use Assist surgeons and nurses during surgical procedures by passing instruments and supplies Maintain a sterile environment in the operating room Monitor and track surgical supplies and inventory Handle specimens taken for laboratory analysis Assist with patient preparation before surgery Operate and troubleshoot surgical equipment Maintain accurate records of procedures and inventory Support the surgical team with post-operative care and room clean-up Stay updated on medical technologies and surgical techniques Adhere to hospital and regulatory infection and control policies Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 10 Hour tours between 9:30am-8:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework:Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician (Operating Room)/PD06256A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not available Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not available Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not available PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not available
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/22/2026. For this Surgical Technician, GS-07 position, I have: A. At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Surgical Technician. Specialized experience includes 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. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. B. 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. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. C. Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, 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. 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. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Preferred Experience: Experience working multiple surgical specialties, including but not limited to, Orthopedics, General Surgery, ENT, Vascular, or Neuro Surgery. Recent hospital experience in the last two years as a surgical technician. Completion of a surgical technology program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) Proficient computer skills Meet Physical requirements Sterile processing background Knowledge of aseptic techniques and infection control protocols Excellent communication and teamwork skills Knowledge of instruments, supplies, and equipment regarding GI procedures. BLS In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs. Knowledge of basic and complex surgical procedures Ability to assist physicians with specialized and complex procedures Previous experience in an operating room setting Advanced knowledge of surgical instruments and procedures Excellent manual dexterity and physical stamina Ability to remain calm and focused under pressure Knowledge of universal precautions and disinfection techniques and ability to follow SOPs to clean reuse medical equipment (RME) Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service skills and interpersonal skills with all healthcare professionals to ensure quality and continuity care. 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.. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Bachelor Degree. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond . 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/.
Before you apply
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