This position is located within the Operating Room at VA San Diego Healthcare System. The surgical technician is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other perioperative team members during surgical procedures. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 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 but is not limited to: validates correct sterilization of RME to be utilized during the surgical procedure; informs surgical team when instrumentation sterility is compromised; utilizes Universal Precautions when providing patient care; obtains and gathers appropriate sterile and unsterile instruments, equipment, and supplies necessary for the surgical procedure according to the surgeon's Preference Card and request to ensure availability and in proper working order prior to the start of cases; ensures the integrity of the sterile field is not compromised by continuously monitoring sterile technique throughout the case; communicates any breaks in sterile technique to the surgical team; performs appropriate counts with circulator prior to the operation and before incision(s) are closed; collaborates and continuously communicates with the circulating nurse of the room; collaborates with the surgical team to verify, prepare, and label specimens; collaborates with the surgical team to verify, prepare, and handle implants; recognizes potentially hazardous situations; assist in training, supervising, and orienting new staff; assists in emergency situation, and participates in departmental performance improvement projects. 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 but are not limited to: Prepares, organizes, an maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups; refers to body structures using correct terminology; retrieves and assembles appropriate supplies and equipment necessary for the surgical procedure; connects drains to suction apparatuses for those surgical procedures that require drains; prepares sterile dressings; performs pre-cleaning of instrumentation according to Standard Operating Procedures; establishes a sterile field by opening supplies using sterile technique; performs a surgical hand scrub utilizing aseptic technique prior to the surgical procedure; scrubs, gowns, and gloves self, using sterile technique; labels all medications/solutions on the sterile field; gowns and gloves other scrubbed assistants using sterile technique; assists in draping the sterile field and positioning the surgical lights; assists EMS in postoperative OR suite turn-over; assist in patient transfers, prepping the surgical suite (This experience MUST be reflected, in detail, on your resume to be found qualified for this position.) OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-07 level. successfully completed One full year of graduate education with courses directly related to the occupation. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-07 level. a combination of specialized experience and education which is qualifying at the GS-06 level. (combination of specialized experience and education of graduate level experience. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-06. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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. ["Primary Scrub Person 50 Percent The incumbent functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures including but not limited to the following procedures: orthopedics, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, general, urology, plastics, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, total joint replacements, robotic procedures, vascular and endovascular surgery. The incumbent sets up the sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment. microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating room supplies and equipment. Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure. Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups. Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time; he/she reacts quickly and decisively during emergent situations. Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment. The ST assists the surgical team members with care of the patient, i.e., positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies. Follows Universal Protocol and fully participates in the surgical Time-Out. Knowledgeable on appropriate preventative actions for surgical procedures with low, moderate, and high fire risk scores. Handles all specimens appropriately. In conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN}, performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy. The ST is responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure. Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures. The ST prepares prostheses, surgical devices, and biological implants for use during surgical procedures. Prepares sterile dressings, cleans and prepares instruments for terminal sterilization according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME). The incumbent assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, surgical technician students, and new OR staff in the operation of equipment, OR procedures conducted in the Operating Room and the endovascular suite, handling of instruments, sterile technique, and set-up/preparation of the Operating Room for complex procedures, and the scrub role in surgical procedures. Maintains Equipment and Work Areas 30 Percent The incumbent performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Maintains OR area. Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (i.e., frayed cords, water on floor) and takes corrective action. Performs necessary unit audits for expired surgical supplies, records temperature and humidity for each surgical suite and takes corrective action if parameters are outside of recommended guidelines. Provides Guidance/Quality Improvement 20 Percent The incumbent participates and assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities and risk management functions. Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses. Work Schedule: Fulltime, Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 5:00pm, 8:30am -7:00 pm, 1030 am- 7:00 pm, PST. Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD13376-A and PD13229 A Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of which are 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. Hand dexterity is essential in passing instruments. Both hands required. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Near vision correctable at 13\" to 16\" to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other. Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; and hearing without aid. 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."]

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