The Primary Purpose of this Position is: Coordinates orientation, training and competency validation (initial and ongoing) of surgical technician staff; and to provide assistance to the surgeon and the other team members during surgical procedures; and, participate with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the supervision of the perioperative registered nurse (circulator) and surgeon; and, perform technical and administrative work. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/27/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-8 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Plans, organizes, coordinates and directs the orientation, training and competency validation (initial and ongoing) of the surgical technician staff, ensuring that the section complies with legal and regulatory requirements and meets customer needs; Functions as a primary and lead scrub person responsible for handling surgical instruments supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures including but not limited to: open heart, thoracic, vascular, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, orthopedic, urology, reconstruction surgery (plastics), general surgery, robotic, endovascular, and pain management to maintain functional and technical knowledge and skills to effectively perform and manage assigned surgical cases; Communicates and collaborates with members of the Surgical team to include the perioperative registered nurse, staff surgeon, surgical residents, anesthesia providers and other ancillary staff to achieve positive patient outcomes; Processes, disassembles, cleans, re-assembles, and/or sets up Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) following manufacturers guidelines and SPS Standard Operating Procedures. 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. Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of which are in stages of unconsciousness. Requires recurring prolonged standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, reaching, and prolonged stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments and supplies for the surgeon. The surgical technician must be dexterous in passing instruments to surgeons without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effect from the surgeon. The surgical technician must move expeditiously in taking emergency action. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. ["The Primary Purpose of the Position is: Functions as the lead surgical technician responsible for handling surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures including but not limited to: Open heart, thoracic, vascular, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, orthopedic, urology, reconstruction surgery (plastics), general surgery, and pain management. Has extensive knowledge of a wide variety of complex surgical invasive procedures and possible complications. Is able to anticipate and prepare for the needs of the surgical team. Knowledge of complex procedures is shared with inexperience staff on the surgical team. Has an in-depth technical knowledge in the areas of surgical instrumentation, medical equipment, human anatomy and physiology, and principles of sterile and aseptic technique. Obtains the skills to perform independently in managing and operating specialized surgical tables and positioning devices, as well as, instruments and equipment used in laparoscopic surgery. Guides and supports less skill staff in surgical procedures to include student surgical technicians. Effectively communicates and collaborates with all members of the surgical team to include the Perioperative registered nurse, staff surgeon surgical residents, and anesthesia provider to achieve positive patient outcomes. Ability to assemble, operate and/or utilize various surgical equipment and instruments, which includes but not limited to specialized OR beds, such as cystoscopy and endovascular table, robots, video equipment, flexible and rigid scopes, lasers, PHACO-emulsifier machine, nerve monitors, microscopes, and powered instruments. Skill in developing new or modified training methodologies for competency evaluation/validation for new and existing operative procedures and processes. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. with on-call nights, weekends, and holidays Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Lead Surgical Technician (Trainer)/PD094930 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
