U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Surgical Technician
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Buffalo, New York, United States, 14266
Pay Range
$57,732.00/yr - $75,056.00/yr
Summary The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the surgical team and provides direct assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The ST participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. This position is assigned to the Nursing Service in the VA Western NY Healthcare System and reports directly to the Operating Room Nurse Manager.
Qualifications To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 10/31/2025. Time‑in‑Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time‑in‑grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS‑7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑6. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF‑50 that shows 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 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. Time‑In‑Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
Specialized Experience:
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 include, but are not limited to: knowledge of medical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic technique to prepare and protect a sterile field during surgery; exercising sterile technique to include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization; packaging, storage, and shelf life; handling medical instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures; performing proper cleaning techniques; and proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies; handling contaminated items, quality control, and personal hygiene using knowledge of universal precautions and implementing infection control policies and procedures. Note: 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.
Education:
Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed one full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) or an internship in a course matter that includes 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. Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
Combination:
Combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience 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. Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
Competencies for this position include Attention to Detail, Infection Control, Medical Information, Patient Care, and Technical Competence.
Duties
Acts as the primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as endovascular, open heart, thoracic, major vascular, neurosurgery, microsurgery, transplantation, gynecology, urology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, general surgery, minimally invasive procedures, and orthopedic surgery.
Sets up the sterile field with all required items for each procedure including air‑powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating room supplies.
Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and ensures all supplies and equipment are available prior to the procedure.
Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups.
Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure, anticipating the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods.
Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
Assists the team members with patient care including positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies.
Assists the surgeon by performing procedures such as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures.
Prepares prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures.
Other duties as assigned.
Work schedule: Monday‑Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM with possible rotation to 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM based on the needs of the service.
On‑call time required. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position description 000: Surgical Technician (PD09305A). Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
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Summary The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the surgical team and provides direct assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The ST participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. This position is assigned to the Nursing Service in the VA Western NY Healthcare System and reports directly to the Operating Room Nurse Manager.
Qualifications To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 10/31/2025. Time‑in‑Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time‑in‑grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS‑7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑6. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF‑50 that shows 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 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. Time‑In‑Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
Specialized Experience:
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 include, but are not limited to: knowledge of medical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic technique to prepare and protect a sterile field during surgery; exercising sterile technique to include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization; packaging, storage, and shelf life; handling medical instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures; performing proper cleaning techniques; and proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies; handling contaminated items, quality control, and personal hygiene using knowledge of universal precautions and implementing infection control policies and procedures. Note: 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.
Education:
Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed one full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) or an internship in a course matter that includes 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. Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
Combination:
Combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience 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. Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
Competencies for this position include Attention to Detail, Infection Control, Medical Information, Patient Care, and Technical Competence.
Duties
Acts as the primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as endovascular, open heart, thoracic, major vascular, neurosurgery, microsurgery, transplantation, gynecology, urology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, general surgery, minimally invasive procedures, and orthopedic surgery.
Sets up the sterile field with all required items for each procedure including air‑powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating room supplies.
Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and ensures all supplies and equipment are available prior to the procedure.
Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups.
Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure, anticipating the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods.
Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
Assists the team members with patient care including positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies.
Assists the surgeon by performing procedures such as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures.
Prepares prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures.
Other duties as assigned.
Work schedule: Monday‑Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM with possible rotation to 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM based on the needs of the service.
On‑call time required. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position description 000: Surgical Technician (PD09305A). Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
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