- Position Title
- Surgical Technician
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CAZX-12735574-25-MC Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Tuesday, May 13, 2025 to Monday, June 30, 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?
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
INSTRUCTIONS: 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).
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
Specialized Experience GS-06: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Surgical Technician. Specialized experience includes assisting with the preparation and protection of sterile fields during surgery; monitoring and maintaining aseptic techniques throughout surgical procedures; handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during surgical procedures; performing proper cleaning techniques, as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies; handling contaminated items, quality control, and personal hygiene, using knowledge of universal precautions and implementing infection control policies and procedures. NOTE: 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.
~OR~
Education: Successfully completed one-half year of graduate education (9 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position such as anatomy and physiology, surgical technology, aseptic techniques, etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
~OR~
Combination: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
Do you meet the specialized experience above?
~OR~
Education: Successfully completed one-half year of graduate education (9 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position such as anatomy and physiology, surgical technology, aseptic techniques, etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
~OR~
Combination: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
Do you meet the specialized experience above?
2.
Specialized Experience GS-7: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Surgical Technician. Specialized experience includes utilizing knowledge of medical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic technique to prepare and protect sterile field during surgery; exercising sterile technique to include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage, and shelf life; handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures; performing proper cleaning techniques, as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies; handling contaminated items, quality control, and personal hygiene, using knowledge of universal precautions and implementing infection control policies and procedures. NOTE: 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.
~OR~
Education - Successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position such as anatomy and physiology, surgical technology, aseptic techniques, etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
~OR~
Combination - Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
Do you meet the specialized experience and/or education indicated above?
~OR~
Education - Successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position such as anatomy and physiology, surgical technology, aseptic techniques, etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
~OR~
Combination - Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
Do you meet the specialized experience and/or education indicated above?
The following statements pertain to your knowledge of direct patient care techniques, including activities of daily living (ADLs), ambulating patients, infection control, and emergency response; uses appropriate safety precautions.
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.
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.
The following statements pertain to your knowledge of medical information and/or terminology related to the diagnoses, treatment, and prevention of human injuries and diseases.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
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.
The following statements pertain to your knowledge of Infection Control.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
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.
The following statements pertain to your knowledge of Technical Competence.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
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.
The following statements pertain to your knowledge of Attention to Detail.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
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.