Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Logo
Position Title
Surgical Technician
Agency
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Announcement Number
CARZ-11012752-21-MJS Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, January 21, 2021 to Wednesday, January 27, 2021
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy; AND, 
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the Department of Veterans Affairs?  If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?

If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
Select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task. (limit characters)
Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. (limit characters)
1. Selective Placement Factor (SPF) - Screen-out: Do having experience scrubbing in at least one of the following areas: General Surgery, Urology, Orthopedic, Neuro Surgery, Peripheral Vascular, ENT Surgical Cases, or Cardiac Scrubbing.
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2. If you responded yes to the SPF, please provide a brief example in the box below of where this experience was gained as supported by your resume.
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Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
3. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 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. Do you have at least one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position? To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-6 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes: Possessing knowledge of technical medical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic technique to prepare and protect a sterile field during surgery; possessing knowledge of pathology care and handling of specimens correctly; utilizing proper patient positioning skill to position the patient, depending on the type of procedure; handling instruments , supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures to include open heart, thoracic, major vascular, neurosurgery, microsurgery, and total joint replacement; and selecting the correct instruments for a procedure, anticipating the needs of the surgeon during the procedure, and recognizing and responding to a variety of critical situations appropriately. 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.
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4. SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Have you successfully completed one (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 one (1) year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, eighteen (18) semester hours will 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. Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
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5. COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Do you have equivalent combinations of specialized experience and successfully completed graduate education as described above to meet the total experience requirements to qualify at the GS-7 level? Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
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6. ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Are you proficient in basic written and spoken English?
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For each task in the following groups, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training. (limit characters)
The following statements pertain to your knowledge of TECHNICAL COMPETENCE. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
7. Monitors and assesses the patient during surgical procedures and makes continuous adjustments to the plan of care.
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8. Anticipates the needs of the surgical patient and surgeon during surgical and diagnostic procedures.
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9. Assists the surgeons during surgical procedures.
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10. Prepares, organizes, maintains complex sterile set ups in the following surgical services: general, vascular, endovascular, cardiovascular, robotic surgery, GYN, ENT, orthopedics, plastic reconstructive
surgery, ophthalmology, thoracic, podiatry, oral surgery, neurosurgery and urology surgery.
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The following statements pertain to your knowledge of INFECTION CONTROL. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
11. Prepares, labels and administers medications from the sterile field.
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12. Demonstrates strict compliance with complex patient safety policies and procedures including but not limited to the following: prevention of retained surgical items, medication safety, correct site surgery, aseptic technique, radiation safety, infection control procedures.
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13. Ensures proper cleaning and performs minor maintenance and adjustments.
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The following statements pertain to your knowledge MEDICAL INFORMATION. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
14. Applies knowledge of anatomy, physiology and surgical procedures to prepare the patient for surgery.
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15. Performs as primary scrub technician in charge of office.
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16. Documents charts, directs patient care duties and patient safety.
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The following statements pertain to your knowledge of ATTENTION to DETAIL. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
17. Provides clerical and administrative support to the unit.
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18. Understands the indications and contraindications of medications.
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19. Receives requests or instructions for procedures.
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20. Interprets requests or instructions for medical or health care personnel.
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The following statements pertain to knowledge of CUSTOMER SERVICE. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
21. Answers patient's questions during procedures.
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22. Secures patients' confidence and cooperation during procedures. Explains procedures.
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23. Handles conflict and problem in dealing with the customer.
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24. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established polices and procedures.
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Veteran's Preference Documentation Reminder - In order to receive appropriate preference consideration, you should submit proper documentation if you are claiming eligibility for veteran's preference, which includes a copy of your DD-214 (member copy 4 or earlier version that shows character of service). Applicant's claiming 10-Point preference should also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference along with the required documentation listed on the SF-15 form (such as verification of service-connected disability percentage). (limit characters)
Transcript Reminder - If you are basing your qualifications on education (or a combination of education and experience) or if the position requires a college education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. (limit characters)
Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications. (limit characters)