- Position Title
- Surgical Technician
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBSV-12705941-25-JT Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, March 13, 2025 to Thursday, April 10, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
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.
- 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.
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:
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
Your resume must be submitted in English and 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)
- Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
- 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.
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
2.
I authorize my application information being shared with hiring managers for similar positions. I understand this option may not result in further consideration for additional positions nor will it impact my application for this announcement.
3.
Are you willing to accept the working conditions as indicated in the announcement?
4.
Are you willing to accept the conditions of employment as indicated in the announcement?
5.
Applicants are required to undergo and successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening test and must submit to random drug testing after employment. Will you comply with this requirement?
6.
Are you willing to undergo a pre-employment physical?
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.
7.
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?
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Surgical Technician position with the Puget Sound VA Health Care System.
Please select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of experience and/or education or training 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. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
1.
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?
2.
INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT (IOR): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for the 0640 occupational series. To qualify for this occupational series, applicants MUST have the following listed below:
IOR Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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.
IOR Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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.
3.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-07: Carefully read the following descriptions below. Select the one response below that best describes your qualifications for this position at the GS-7 grade level. (Please ensure your resume/application supports the response that you select.)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Possess necessary telephone skills to properly answer and direct calls to the appropriate person.
5.
Provide emotional support and comfort measures specific for each patient to alleviate concerns and fears.
6.
Work with vendors and support personnel for procurement of specific instrumentation.
7.
Participate in patient identification and Timeout procedure.
8.
Assist in training residents, medical students, nursing students, surgical technologist students, and new operating room staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments and Operating Room procedures.
9.
Participate in fire safety exercises and make sure fire exits are clear and evacuation chairs/sleds are easily accessible.
10.
Communicate with Operating Room Nurse and Surgeon to accomplish assigned tasks and adjusted work plans.
11.
Recognize potentially hazardous situations such as, frayed cords, water on the floor, and take corrective action.
12.
Report changes in the patient's condition to Operation Room Nurse.
13.
Assist members of the team with room clean up in readiness for next patient.
14.
Follow directions for performing Operating Room policy for sponge, needle, and instrument count.
15.
Perform scrub duties for emergency surgery with minimal direction for the Operating Room Nurse and Surgeon.
16.
Generate and maintain case cart and preference card lists.
17.
Stock, replenish, and prepare supplies and equipment for use.
18.
Utilize sterile techniques per hospital guidelines.
19.
Maintain, care, and label surgical specimens.
20.
Follow Operating Room policy for handling, cleaning, restringing, and sending instrumentation to SPS for decontamination.
21.
Operate specialty equipment according to manufacturer's guidelines.
22.
Follows infection control policies and procedures.
23.
Recognize and initiate actions during emergency situations including cardiopulmonary resuscitation when appropriate.
24.
Assist the Operating Room Nurse with safely receiving surgical patients into the Operating Room.
25.
Assist Operating Room Nurse with patient care (i.e. positioning, prepping, as needed).
26.
Assist the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, apply skin staples, and cut sutures, preparation of prosthesis and surgical devices and preparing sterile dressings.
27.
Perform procedures based on the needs of the patients under the guidance of Operating Room Nurse or Surgeon.