The VA Central Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Surgical Technician (Operating Room) in Surgery Service. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician (Operating Room) / PD #: 91576-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Specialized Experience: You must have one (1) 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 includes but is not limited to: Preparing and protecting the sterile field during surgery using knowledge of highly technical instrumentation, human anatomy, and aseptic technique. Determining the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage, and shelf life. Applying standard precautions and implementing infection control policies and procedures. Utilizing all appropriate technical names, uses, physical characteristics, functions, and processing procedures for the full range of surgical instrumentation, supplies and equipment. Preparing for the surgical procedure, selecting the correct instruments for a procedure, anticipating the needs of the surgeon during the procedure, and on a regular and recurring basis recognizing and responding to a variety of critical situations, including emergency and life-threatening conditions. Using and understanding the effects of anesthesia in order to recognize the hazards of anesthetic agents and to recognize and respond to adverse conditions during course of procedure. During procedures properly handling of prosthesis such as intraocular lenses, grafts, and/or pacemakers. Storing of instruments and supplies to maintain sterility. Position patients depending on the types of procedures, being able to provide emotional support to patients, and being able to assist anesthesia providers when implanting pain control devises. OR Education: Successfully completed one full (1) year of graduate level education or an internship that is directly related to the work of the position. OR Combination: Have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience to meet total qualification requirements. Note: 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 number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. Your experience must be documented in your resume and transcripts are required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Standards Technical Competence Education and Training 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 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. Physical Requirements: Duties are performed in the operating rooms (OR) which require special OR attire with regular and recurring exposure to toxic and noxious gases such as: Exposure to x-rays, pure oxygen, exposure to blood and body fluids which are often infectious, and laser beams requiring special safety precautions. Appropriate scrub attire is required, including sterile gown and gloves, surgical caps to cover the Surgical Technicians hair, and surgical mask in order to provide aseptic special attire. The Operating Room Surgical Technician must wear protective eyewear such as goggles or face shield to prevent inadvertent splash injuries to s/he eyes. Appropriate laser glasses must be worn when working with lasers. The Surgical Technician may frequently wear a 20-30-pound lead apron as protections from radiation during various procedures. Required personal protective equipment is provided by the facility. The Operating Room (OR) work environment is complex, intense, and fast-paced. Applicants must possess the emotional and physical ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment. 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/. ["Functioning as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as: vascular gynecology, urology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, a full range of general surgery cases, minimally invasive procedures, and orthopedic surgery. Setting up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating room supplies and equipment. Planning and discussing each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure. Preparing, organizing, and maintaining highly complex sterile surgical setups. Observing and responding 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. Utilizing universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment. Assisting the team members with care of the patient, i.e., positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies. Handling all specimens appropriately. In conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN), performing sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy. Responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure. Assisting the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures. Preparing prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures. Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Maintaining Operating Room (OR) area. Monitoring front OR desk and handles OR phone calls, as assigned. Assessing equipment needs and maintaining adequate stock of supplies and materials. Assisting in all aspects of supply management, including but not limited to ordering of supplies and putting them away, as assigned. Recognizing potentially hazardous situations (e.g., frayed cords, water on floor) and takes corrective action. Cooperating fully with equipment inventory, including meeting established timelines. Assisting surgical team members in quality improvement activities. Assisting in developing and maintaining appropriate and cost-effective inventory practices."]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.