Summary

This position is located in the VA Ann Arbor Health System Operating Room Suite. The position is within the Surgery Service. The incumbent functions at an advanced level with specific and specialized training and skills required in the Surgery work setting. The Surgical Technician functions independently to provide a wide range of support to the professional nurse and physician in the Operating Room. Participates with surgical team in planning and implementing complex procedures.

This job is open to

• The public
  
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS.
DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Job announcement is open until June 7, 2024 or until filled.

Duties

Major Duties: The Surgical Technician performs the following major duties:

Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures performed in: Cardiac, Peripheral Vascular, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Orthopedic, Urology, Plastic, Oral surgery, Thoracic, Gynecology, and General Surgery procedures.

Set's up Equipment and Surgical Instrumentation: Determines Technical Factors

• Sets up and test functionality of equipment such as air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, surgical microscopes, brain navigation systems, lasers, technology advanced robotic surgery, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, and recording devices.
• Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are both available and in working order prior to the surgical procedure. Adjusts equipment controls to clarify readings and prepare for operation.
• Performs nontechnical equipment maintenance and cleaning, and pre-treatment for all reusable medical equipment and instrumentation.
• Coordinates repair of potentially hazardous equipment. (frayed cords, malfunctioning controls, etc.) with appropriate staff.
• Operates equipment and assists surgical team in performance of procedures, able to trouble shoot and adjust, prior to notification of bio-medical engineering.

Positions Patients for Procedures Provides direct patient care by performing the following:

• Assists nursing staff in room preparation and patient transfer to OR Table as needed
• Applies positioning aids to table and places patient extremities into the apparatus, if needed
• Ensures proper positioning and patient safety measures are maintained and in place
• Completes peri-operative patient hair removal
• Monitors patient condition. Recognizes deviation in patient condition and takes appropriate action.
• Transports procedure items to operating room and prepositions them.
• Opens sterile items and arranges surgical area and equipment for procedure performance.
• Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical set-ups. In conjunction with the circulating nurse, performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy. He/she is responsible for the accountability of all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure.
• Observes and responds promptly to each stage of surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time.
• Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
• Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, cutting sutures and preparing prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures.

Maintains Equipment and Work Areas:

• Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions
• Maintains OR area, performs monthly cleaning to storage locations as per hospital policy.
• Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials.
• Assists in all aspects of supply management, including but not limited to ordering of supplies and putting them away.
• Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (e.g., frayed cords, water on floor) and takes corrective action.
• Processes instruments and supplies after surgery
• Cooperates fully with equipment inventory, including meeting established timelines
• Cooperates fully in equipment trials and procurement processes.

Provides Guidance

• Provides guidance and support to Nursing Assistants, health technicians, and technical students of an approved surgical technology program, able to demonstrate for the resident team the functionality of the more complex instrumentation, and/or any other novice scrub support staff.
• Provides guidance and support to professional and technical students of an approved surgical technology program.

Other duties

• Participates with surgical team members in quality improvement activities.
• Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses.
• Participates in developing and maintaining appropriate and cost-effective inventory practices
• Utilizes universal precautions in all work functions

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday Different Shifts Available 7:00am to 3:30pm, 9:00am- 5:30pm On-Call Required for either shift.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD6306-A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for eligible applicants

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorize

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/07/2024.

Specialized Experience GS-07: 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 provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the duties of a Surgical Technician. Specialized experience is experience assisting a surgical team with/during surgical procedures.

Examples of specialized experience include: scrubbing for/during surgeries; preparing patients for surgery; setting up equipment and surgical instrumentation; preparing sterile surgical set-ups; handling instruments, supplies and/or equipment during surgical procedures; anticipating the needs of the surgeon and responding promptly; performing sponge and instrument counts; and exercising accountability of all surgical instruments and equipment during surgical procedure.

NOTE:

Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required only if it is directly related to the work of the position (Surgical Technician). One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for this level. An equivalent combination of experience and education as described above may be used to qualify. (Transcripts Required)

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Infection Control
• Medical Information
• Patient Care
• Technical Competence

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

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.

Preferred Experience: Certification through AST Preferred, but not required.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Additional information

The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  Documents Accepted:
  
  
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Other (1)
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • Transcript
  
  
  Documents Required:
  
  
  • Resume
  
  
  Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
  
  Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
  
  Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
  
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  
  All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
  
  To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 06/07/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12266521.
  
  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
  
  NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  
  To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  
  
  Eric Earns
  
  Phone
  
  (989) 397-4981
  
  Email
  
  Eric.Earns@va.gov
  
  Address
  
  Ann Arbor VA Medical Center
  
  2215 Fuller Road
  
  Ann Arbor, MI 48105
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• Transcript

Documents Required:

• Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 06/07/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12266521.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information



Eric Earns

Phone

(989) 397-4981

Email

Eric.Earns@va.gov

Address

Ann Arbor VA Medical Center

2215 Fuller Road

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

US

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Financial suitability
• Selective Service
• New employee probationary period
• Signature and false statements
• Privacy Act
• Social security number request