- Position Title
- Surgical Technician
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBSU-12708678-25-NW Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, March 13, 2025 to Friday, June 13, 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).
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Surgical Technician position at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System. 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 is 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.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
Individual Occupational Requirements (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.
Do you meet the IOR for this position?
Do you meet the IOR for this position?
2.
Specialized Experience for GS-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Setting up sterile field with all required items such as air-power equipment, fiber optic equipment, microscopes, lasers, etc. Making sure all supplies and equipment are available prior to surgical procedure. Assisting the surgeon during surgical procedure. Handling specimens, supplies, and equipment following universal precaution and infection control policies. Assisting with patient care, i.e., positioning, prepping, etc. Maintaining correct count of instruments used during procedures. Providing customer service in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
OR,
Must have successfully completed one full year of graduate education (18 semester hours or equivalent), or an internship in course matter with a major that included courses directly related to the work of the Health Technician position.
OR,
Must have an equivalent combination of related graduate level education and specialized experience to meet the total experience requirement.
Do you meet the Specialized Experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade?
OR,
Must have successfully completed one full year of graduate education (18 semester hours or equivalent), or an internship in course matter with a major that included courses directly related to the work of the Health Technician position.
OR,
Must have an equivalent combination of related graduate level education and specialized experience to meet the total experience requirement.
Do you meet the Specialized Experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade?
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
3.
Assists surgical team with patient positioning, prepping, and setting up the operative field.
4.
Provides transportation of patients to and from the surgical/operating room.
5.
Recognizes changes in patient condition and takes appropriate actions in response to the
situation.
situation.
6.
Provides guidance and support to staff regarding infection control and patient safety protocol.
7.
Provides emotional support to patients before, during and after surgery.
8.
Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals to determine proper positioning and assurances of all supplies/equipment are available.
9.
Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures.
10.
Prepares prosthesis and/or surgical devices during procedures.
11.
Assists in training staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and operating room/surgical procedures.
12.
Utilizes medical terminology when interpreting requests and provide proper documentation for surgical procedures.
13.
Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups.
14.
Utilizes universal precautions to protect patients and staff from exposure to any infectious materials.
15.
Follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
16.
Monitors and maintains sterile practices throughout surgical procedures.
17.
Cleans and sterilizes surgical equipment using appropriate methods, germicides and sterilizers
18.
Handles instruments, supplies and equipment during a variety of surgical procedures.
19.
Sets up sterile field with all required items (equipment, instruments, supplies and/or devices) for each procedure.
20.
Anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time.
21.
Understands and follows protocols for handling various specimens.
22.
Performs sharps, sponge, and instrument counts of surgical items before and after surgical procedures.
23.
Assists surgical team members to identify and implement performance improvement measures.
24.
Monitors proper functioning of instruments and equipment at the surgical field.
25.
Determines the effectiveness of sterilization, packing, storage, and shelf life.
26.
Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure.