Summary This position reports to the Surgical/Specialty Care Line at the West Palm Beach VA Health Care System. The Surgical Technician (ST) will work independently to provide a wide of support to the professional nurse and physican in the Operation Room. The ST participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervsion of the surgical team. Responsibilities Major Duties Include: Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments and equipments during a variety of surgical procedure including but not limited to the following procedures: orthopedics, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, general, urology, plastics, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, total joint replacements, robotic procedures, vascular and endovascular surgery. Sets up sterile field with all required items required for each procedure such as electric/battery powered equipment, ceiling mounted booms, Neptune suction, Phaco, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscope, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipmen, recording devices, and other related operating room supplies and equipment. Plans and discusses each procedure with assigned surgical team and ensures all supplies and equipment are available prior to the start of the surgical procedure Prepares, organizes, and maintains complex sterile surgical set-ups. Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time; he/she reacts quickly and decisively during emergent situations. Handles all specimens appropriately. In conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN}, performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy. Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment. Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, surgical technician students, and new OR staff in the operation of equipment, OR procedures conducted in the Operating Room and the endovascular suite, handling of instruments, sterile technique, and set-up/preparation of the Operating Room for complex procedures, and the scrub role in surgical procedures. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0700-15:30 with weekend, evening and holiday call required Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD03055A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/19/2024. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Individual Occupation Requirement GS-7: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology in depth including location and function of the major body organs, skills to use instructments to perform full range of specialized tests and procedures, Knowledge of asepsis in order to prepare/protect the sterile field during surgery. Knowledge of pharmacology and chemistry to understand drug action, effects and methods of administration. Knowledge to conduct monitor and document patient care observations and information according policy/procedures on appropriate forms. In addition to the Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR) mentioned above, you must also meet the minimum qualifications listed below: GS:07 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Experience in usage of handling surgical instruments and equipment Prepares, organizes, and maintains complex surgical setup. Performs sponge, sharps, and instrument counts with Registered Nurse (RN) Handles specimens appropriately, assist with two-person verification of patient. Collaborates with vendors and other surgery partners to ensure equipment availability. Assists in training and educating new surgical technicians. NOTE: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-7. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Flexibility Human Factors Information Management Interpersonal Skills Physical Strength 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion. It may involve standing long period of times, walking, frequent bending, reaching and stretching to set up and take apart equipment; including but not limited to lifting 30 lbs and standing for prolonged periods of time and positioning patients; carrying, pushing, or pulling moderately heavy objects. Duties may require above average dexterity and large degree of concentration. 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/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.