Surgical Technician

Description:

The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. Incumbent is a Surgical Technologists within the Operating Rooms (OR) at North Florida South Georgia Veterans Health Administration.

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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.

OR

For GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position.

GS-5 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Do you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 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 using instruments in basic surgical procedures
• Operates and monitor commonly used equipment performing simple surgical cases
• Understands and follows protocols for handling various specimens
• Assists in training staff in the operation of equipment
• Provides transportation of patients to and from the surgical/operating room
• Discusses each procedure with surgical professionals

OR

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, if required.

OR,

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree.

Note: Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. If education is used to meet specialized experience requirements, then such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position.

GS-6 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Do you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would include but not limited to:

• Operates and monitor commonly used equipment for more complex cases
• Decisions making regarding seriously controversial or significantly complex issues and communicating effectively to the Supervisor.
• Managing assignments of above average level complexity
• Develop techniques and skills in the position over time and will develop in making recommendations for improvement of processes and/or procedures.

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. You must have education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree for GS-6

GS-7 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : Do you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience

• Handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures to include extremely complex procedures independently.
• Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals, including ''Time-out" procedures, and assures that all supplies and equipment are available before procedure begins
• Utilizes Standard Precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies and equipment.
• Provides guidance and support to Nursing assistants, Clerical Staff, and other Surgical Technicians
• Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities.

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.