Surgical Technician

Surgical Technician

Major duties include but not limited to:

• Responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during a variety of surgical procedures performed in all surgical sub-specialties/procedures; includes general surgery, urological surgery, vascular surgery, ENT surgery, orthopedic/podiatry surgery and ophthalmological surgery.
• Sets-up sterile field with required items for each procedure.
• Participates in official time out with surgical team and ensures correct site, correct procedure, correct laterality, correct patient, position, and all testing results are in place; verifies sterility and dates of implants per Veterans' Health Administration (VHA) Directive.
• Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure.
• Observes and responds promptly to each state of surgical procedure and anticipates needs of the surgeon.
• Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures.
• Assists team members with care of the patient.
• Handles all specimens appropriately.

Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating room technology students and new Operating Room (OR) staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and OR procedures.

• Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment.
• Maintains safe/clean work environment.
• Provides patient information to Registered Nurse (RN)/Anesthesia Team for inclusion in patient's plan of care; supports healthcare team through reinforcement of patient education; organizes/prioritizes patient care activities.
• Assists in answering telephones and relaying messages.
• Adheres to Veterans' Administration (VA) nursing policies, procedures, and standards; delivers care to patients in respectful, non-judgmental manner; maintains patient privacy/confidentiality; sets limits within the surgical team (ST)/patient relationship.
• Recognizes changes in patient condition including emergencies, perioperatively and takes appropriate actions in response to patient emergent situation.
• Recognizes potentially hazardous situations e.g. frayed cords, water on floor, and takes corrective action.
• Reports unsafe equipment and working conditions to appropriate individuals.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm (includes an on-call status and some weekends and holidays)

Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/ PD12902A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: Duties regularly require manual assistance in lifting, and positioning patients, most of which are in 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 rooms (ORs) which require special OR attire with regular and recurring exposure to toxic and noxious gases such as methylmethracrylate, peroxyacetic acid, exposure to x-rays, exposure to blood and body fluids which are often infectious, and laser beams requiring special safety precautions. Appropriate scrub attire is required to provide an aseptic environment. The incumbent is often required to wear protective attire such as eye wear, hoods during total joint replacements, appropriate laser glasses when working with lasers and must frequently wear a lead apron as protection from radiation during various procedures. The operating room can be an exceptionally stressful work environment. Good mental and emotional health is required to function at an optimum level.