Surgical Technician

Description:

This position is located within Nursing Service at the VA San Diego Healthcare System. The work takes place in the Operating Room (OR), which is headed by the Nurse Manager, OR. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team.

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/24/2025

This position has an Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR). You must meet the following:

• Possess technician experience that requires application of knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. (This position is part of the series that range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists.)

In addition to meeting the IOR above, you must meet the experience/education as described below:

Grade Determinations :

GS-06 Experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level ( GS-05) 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:

1. Assisting with the preparation and protection of sterile fields during surgery.
2. Monitoring and maintaining aseptic techniques throughout surgical procedures.
3. Handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during surgical procedures.
4. Performing proper cleaning techniques, as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies.
5. Handling contaminated items, quality control, and personal hygiene, using knowledge of universal precautions and implementing infection control policies and procedures.

OR,

Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-06 level.
To qualify based on education for this grade level you must successfully completed one-half year (6 months) of graduate education (9 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.

GS-07 Experience : 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. Specialized experience includes:

1. Utilizing knowledge of medical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic technique to prepare and protect sterile field during surgery.
2. Exercising sterile technique to include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage, and shelf life.
3. Handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures.
4. Performing proper cleaning techniques, as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies.
5. Handling contaminated items, quality control, and personal hygiene, using knowledge of universal precautions and implementing infection control policies and procedures.

OR,

Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-07 level.
To qualify based on education for this grade level you must 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Completion of Surgical Technician (ST) training program.
• Current experience as Scrub Technician for major/complex surgical specialties including thoracic, vascular, neurosurgery, spine, orthopedics, total joints, and robotics.
• Minimum one (1) year ST experience; two (2) years preferred.
• Orthopedics, General, Head & Neck, Vascular, Gynecology, Robotics, GYN, Plastics, Neurosurgery and Ophthalmology highly desired.
• BLS required.
• Certification as ST preferred.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06 to GS-07.