Independently plans and carriers out the assignments, handles problems/deviations IAW pertinent regulations, policies, accepted practices, instructions; demonstrate independence and initiative in assisting to prepare for the most complex cases i.e. vascular, orthopedic, gynecology, plastic, ENT, urology, podiatry, ophthalmology, oral, gastroenterology, laparoscopic, general surgery. Assists with procedures, and independently cleans and performs sterilization processes of a variety of "scopes". To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. Specialized experience is defined as: Working in an operating room and setting up a sterile field with all required items for surgical procedures (i.e., air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating room (OR) supplies and equipment, etc.); using proper sterilization and cleaning techniques on instruments and equipment; and assisting surgeon by performing such procedures such as skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures.**The preferred candidate would have completed Surgical Technician School or an equivalent. **You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail, Medical Information, Patient Care, and Technical Competence OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: At grades GS-5 and above, a portion of the education is usually directly related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of related courses are provided in the individual occupational requirements where applicable. However, agencies may require other courses if they are considered to be more related to the position to be filled. 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. Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree meets the requirements for GS-9. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. OR Combination of Experience & Education: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an equal combination of specialized experience and graduate education. (Transcripts Required). ***PLEASE 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. Verbiage displayed on your resume or application must contain your own words. You may refer to position descriptions, i.e., the general and specialized experience located within the vacancy announcement, to assist with describing work experiences; however, resumes or applications received in verbatim will not be considered. In your resume you will need to address the general and specialized experience listed under SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE (Qualifications section).Please use as much detail as needed, giving dates (months and years) of the experience, position title, and how the experience was gained. This information is needed to determine if you are qualified for the position. ***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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, both legs and repeated bending. 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 surgical technician 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. Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in a patient care setting; adequately lighted, temperature controlled, and ventilated. Office temperatures fluctuate periodically; involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as clinics, offices, meeting and training rooms or libraries; exposure to noise and dust on occasion. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. ["Acts as a primary scrub person who handles the instruments, supplies and equipment during complex surgical procedures assisting the MD. Anticipates the needs of the surgeon and ensures quality patient care during the operative procedure. Is constantly on vigil for maintenance of the sterile field, reporting breaks in techniques and taking appropriate corrective action. Maintains a safe, clean and comfortable environment for the patient. Demonstrates teamwork by assisting with the gathering of equipment and supplies needed to perform any give surgical procedure. Sets up sterile table with instruments, suture, blades, suction, prostheses, solutions, and medications while maintaining a neat and orderly sterile field. Differentiates between local anesthetics and other medication on the sterile field so as to give the surgeon the appropriated medication. Counts, sponges, needles, and instruments with circulator prior to surgery and before incision is closed. Assumes responsibility for the condition and location of these items at all times. Assembles a variety of complex equipment such as orthopedic drills and saws, fiber optic equipment for eye surgery, Phaco-emulsifier, vitrectomy equipment, electrocautery equipment, orthopedic fracture table and ensures equipment is in proper order. Checks all equipment for working order; reports or corrects usage conditions. Must be cognizant of deviations that could be potentially hazardous to the patient. Inspects supplies for condition and quality. Changes blades and drill attachments. Exercises preventive maintenance by properly oiling and lubricating the equipment. Performs routine cleaning or operating rooms, supply areas, autoclaves and equipment according to departmental policy. Cleans sterile cabinets and restocks rooms with basic supplies, i.e. suctions, irrigating fluids, sheets and trash bags. Checks expiration dates and inspects integrity of supplies for quality. Performs duties outside the patient's operating room which would other wise have to be performed by the personnel in that room, such as, transporting stat specimens to the lab, obtaining additional supplies, and preparing the patient's bed or stretcher using clean linen, oxygen tank and oxygen supplies. When assignment is complete, demonstrates initiative by remaining visible, and assists co-workers and other personnel. Unloads sterile supply cart and puts equipment back in the proper place. Handles all instruments and equipment with care, giving special attention to micro instruments, prostheses, and sharps. Setup sterile field with all required items for each procedure. Plan and discuss each procedure with surgical professionals and assure all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure. Prepare, organize, and maintain highly complex sterile surgical setups. Observe and promptly respond 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. Perform sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy. Recognize potentially hazardous situations and take corrective actions. Work Schedule: M-Th 0800-1630 F 0730-1600 with on call rotation after hours, weekends, and holidays. Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Authorized Telework schedules: Not authorized Virtual work schedules: Not authorized FLSA: Non-Exempt BU Status: BU Recruitment Incentives: NOT authorized Relocation Expenses: NOT authorized Financial Disclosure Report: NOT required Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses: will not be paid PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years' vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). For More Information on Benefits: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Benefits/EmploymentBenefits Position Description Title/PD#: Health Aide Surgical Technician"]

Return to Search Results