The New Mexico VA Healthcare Network is recruiting for a Surgical Technician (ST) as a member of the surgical team which is headed by a Nurse Manager, Operating Room located within Nursing Service. The ST provides assistance to the surgeon and other healthcare team members during surgical procedures and perioperative preparation of these procedures. and participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Experience in operating room scrubbing in ANY of the following surgical specialties: general, ortho & arthroscopy, cardio-thoracic, vascular & endo-vascular, ophthalmology, ENT, urology, neurology and podiatry. INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT (IOR): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series, and it is something that can't be waived. The education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. To qualify for the GS 0640 occupational series, applicants MUST have specialized experience in a position that included support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists 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-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: applying aseptic technique in a sterile surgical field; preparing instrumentation, equipment, and supplies in advance of surgical procedures; scrubbing for surgical procedures; preparing operating room suites for procedures; knowledge of human body structure and function; anticipating the needs of the surgeon; assisting with minor surgical procedures; maintaining inventories of medical instruments, supplies, and equipment; and sterilizing instruments. Experience must be documented in your resume. OR, Education:Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 year of graduate level education that is directly related to the work of the position to be filled. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. 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 information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the (1) year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. Transcripts are required. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of the position. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-06. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communication Infection Control Technical Competence 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. 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/. ["The Surgical Technician functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures including but not limited to: thoracic, major vascular, general, urology, plastics, ophthalmology and total joint replacement surgery. The incumbent sets up the 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. The major duties and responsibilities of the Surgical Technician includes, but are not limited to: Handles instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures. Accounts for all surgical instruments and equipment before, during, and after the surgical procedure. Participates with the surgical team in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team. Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, and new OR staff in the operations of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and OR procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures. Assists the surgeon and other healthcare team members during surgical procedures. Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals. Assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure. Assists the team members in with care of the patient (positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies). Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment. Handles all specimens appropriately. Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups. 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. Work Schedule: 0630-1700 (10 hours days with rotating day off; and on call duty hours) Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/12658A Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of which are stages of unconsciousness. There are extensive periods of regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, reaching, and prolonged stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments and supplies for the surgeon. Incumbent must be dexterous in passing instruments to surgeons without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the surgeon. Duties are performed in the Operating Room and/or Clinics which require special OR attire with regular and recurring exposure to toxic and noxious gases such as: methylmethracrylate, glutaraldehyde, exposure to x-rays, and 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 incumbent's hair, and surgical mask in order to provide an aseptic environment in the OR. The incumbent is often required to wear special attire such as a \"space helmet\" or hood used during total joint replacements. Incumbent must wear protective eyewear such as goggles or face shield to prevent inadvertent splash injuries to his or her eyes. Appropriate laser glasses must be worn when working with lasers. Incumbent must frequently wear a 20-30 pound lead apron as protection from radiation during various procedures. The OR can be an exceptionally stressful work environment. Good mental and emotional health is required in order to function at an optimum level."]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
