Surgical Technician

Summary

The Surgical Technician is assigned to the Surgical/Perioperative Service Line, VA Healthcare System, West Palm Beach, FL. The Surgical Technician functions independently to provide a wide range of support to the professional nurse and physician in the Operating Room. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team.

Duties

• Duties include, but are not limited to: Set up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as electric/battery powered equipment, ceiling mounted booms, Neptune suction, Phaco, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscope, arthroscopy equipment, urologic
• Equipment, recording devices, and other related operating room supplies and equipment.
• Plan and discuss each procedure with assigned surgical team and ensures all supplies and equipment are available prior to the start of the surgical procedure.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain complex sterile surgical set-ups.
• Ensures all sterile wrap/packaging have no holes/tears/breaks in packaging integrity.
• Visualizing chemical indicators have turned.
• Observe and respond 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.
• Utilize standard precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
• Handles specimens appropriately, participates with circulating RN with two-person verification of accurate specimen labeling and confirmation of correct patient identification.
• Actively participates in Briefing, Time out, and De-briefing process.
• Performs sponge, sharps, and instrument (when applicable) counts with circulating registered nurse.
• Demonstrates outstanding aseptic technique and monitors sterile field to protect against breaks in sterile technique.
• Maintains clean and safe operating room work area.
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology such as medical terminology, safe patient handling, and medical conditions in respect to standard perioperative care.
• Knowledge of the correct use of invasive instrumentation and equipment specific to procedures performed in operating room.
• Skill/flexibility to adjust to new surgical subspecialties and adapt to associated challenges.
• This may include learning to work with highly sensitive surgical instruments using prescriptive surgical steps.
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm EST with evening, weekend, and holiday call requirements.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD03055A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized

Requirements

• 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 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of
• Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the
• Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the
• Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

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/.

Required Documents

• To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former
• Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans
• Preference claims, or
• ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced
• Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Proof of Marriage Status Resume Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript
• SF-50, Notification of Personnel
• Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or
• Eligibility): Most recent
• SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee An
• SF-50 showing 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
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade. Examples of appropriate
• SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
• Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
• SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old. Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible
• Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor
• Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your
• DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable,
• General, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible
• Veterans) must also submit an
• SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran
• Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on
• Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets