This position will serve as part of the El Paso VAHCS and William Beamont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) Surgical Expansion pilot to expand WBAMC surgical services to VA beneficiaries to include increased capabilities in Orthopedic - General Surgery - and Neurosurgery clinics and operative procedures. The Surgical Technologist participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team and the registered nurse.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 02/17/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: Knowledge of asepsis to prepare/protect the sterile field during surgery - knowledge of sterile technique must include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization - packaging - storage - and shelf life. This includes proper cleaning techniques and the types of cleaning solutions to use on various items - as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies - handling of contaminated items - and quality control - knowledge of pharmacology including the classification and administration of drugs - patient responses - and common dosages. Must be familiar with dosages and proper use of all medications administered from the sterile field. Must have technical knowledge of the use and effect of anesthesia to recognize the hazards of anesthetic agents and to recognize and respond to adverse conditions during the procedure - 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 - and knowledge of pathology care and handling of specimens correctly are essential for the prevention of - damage to - or loss of specimens. During procedures in which implantable devices are used - must display knowledge and skill necessary for proper handling of prosthesis such as IOL - hernia mesh - fixation devices such as screws and plates - and bone product. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed one-half year 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. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of a combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience - as described above - which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position. 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. 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/.
Duties
Primary Surgical Technician 1
Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments and equipment during a variety of surgical procedures such as general surgery (including laparoscopy) - orthopedics (including arthroscopy) and neurosurgery
2
Independently sets-up the sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment - fiberoptic equipment - laparoscopic equipment - microscopes - lasers - arthroscopy equipment - urologic equipment - recording devices - fluoroscopic equipment - and other major and minor operating room supplies and equipment
3
Performs daily quality measurement checks
4
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
5
Prepares - organizes - and maintains complex sterile surgical set-ups
Ensures all sterile wrap/packaging have no holes/tears/breaks in packaging integrity
Visualizing chemical indicators have turned
6
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
7
Utilizes standard precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens - supplies - and equipment
8
Assists with team members with care of patient - i.e
positioning - prepping - and obtaining supplies
9
Handles specimens appropriately - participates with circulating RN with two-person verification of accurate specimen labeling and confirmation of correct patient identification
10
Actively participates in Briefing - Time out - and De-briefing process
Maintains Equipment and Work Areas 1
Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions
2
Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (frayed cords - water on floor) and takes corrective action - reporting unsafe working conditions/unsafe equipment to appropriate individuals
3
Maintains clean and safe operating room work area Provides Guidance/Collaboration 1
Provides guidance and support to CMS/SPS staff - new OR providers - nursing - and nursing assistants
2
Demonstrates outstanding aseptic technique and monitors sterile field to protect against breaks in sterile technique Allied Nursing Functions 1
Delivers care to patients in respectful - non-judgmental manner
2
Respects patient privacy and confidentiality
3
Provides individualized patient-centered care
VA/DOD Surgical Expansion Duties Performance of scrub or circulating Operating Room (OR) duties - with primary emphasis on variety of surgical specialties
Assist on surgical procedures ranging from routine (e.g. - appendectomy - herniorrhaphy - etc.) to complex - to high risk (e.g. - thoracic - orthopedics - general surgery laparoscopic assisted procedures - etc.) or trauma cases (multi-system involvement due to vehicular accidents - gunshots - knife wounds - ligament and nerve reconstruction - bowel resections - joint replacements and multiple bone fractures)
Perform pre-operative shave of surgical site
Position or assists in positioning and draping the patient for specific procedures
As a scrub technician - selects - assembles and organizes required supplies - equipment (set up - connect - test - operate drills - saws - etc.) and instruments for specific surgical procedures in accordance with operative worksheet - surgeon's preference card and/or conferring with surgeon or charge nurse
Passes instruments and equipment to the surgeon during surgical procedure by anticipating the surgeon's needs
Assists with application of dressings
Surgical assistant actively engages in the manipulation of tissue with the proper instruments both intuitively by previous experience and by direction of the surgeon to facilitate and make possible the successful completion of the given procedures Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
6:45am-3:15pm & Monday - Tuesday - Thursday - Friday 6:45am- 5:15pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD01176A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
