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.

MAJOR DUTIES are but not limited to:

• Handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures to include extremely complex procedures independently.
• Independently sets up sterile field with all necessary items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, complex recording devices, and OR tables and accessories. Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile set­ ups. Skillfully drapes operative area.
• Responsible for vigilant observation of the maintenance of aseptic technique and an environment conducive to the welfare of the surgical patient.
• Utilizes Standard Precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies and equipment.
• In concert with the circulating nurse and other members of the surgical team, assists with care of the surgical patient, i.e., positioning, prepping, preparation of necessary supplies and equipment to include catheters, dilators, heart valves, shunts, pacemakers, total joints and other prostheses.
• Responsible for correct identification and proper handling of all surgical specimens passed off from the surgical field.
• Responsible for performing; with the circulating nurse, the sponge, sharp and instrument counts to verify accuracy. Responsible for the accountability of all sterile 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 suture in addition to his/her other responsibilities.
• Accepts assignment to more complex surgical specialty teams, and assists RN with organization, inventory, and maintenance of instruments and equipment, which frequently requires collaboration with members of other services such as SPS, anesthesia, and surgeons. Assists in the maintenance of Physician Preference cards, and Instrument count sheets and inventory.
• Communicates independently and effectively with patients and staff to include relaying of messages, sharing of ideas, reporting of unusual situations, performing errands, and making out requests and reports.
• If incumbent works at the Gainesville Division, he/she will take On Call assignments, as required, based on unit and specialty needs.
• Maintains the general OR area. Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Observes, recognizes, and reports safety hazards in the Operating Rooms (e.g. frayed cords, water on floor) and takes corrective action.
• Provides guidance and support to Nursing assistants, Clerical Staff, and other Surgical Technicians.
• When providing patient care, employee will consider the age of the patient and the impact his/her age has on his/her ability to understand directions and to provide input into their own care. Makes every effort to provide comfort, stability and peace of mind for surgical patients to decrease preoperative anxiety.
• Transports patients to and from the surgical suite using knowledge of safety measures to protect patients and personnel. Alert to and promptly reports changes in patient condition to appropriate staff member.
• Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities. 2) Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses.

Work Schedule: 7:00am-3:30pm Monday - Friday
Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician - 90080960

Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing assistance in lifting and positioning patients. There are extensive periods of regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, reaching, and prolonged stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments 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. Appropriate scrub attire is required, including sterile gown and gloves, surgical caps to cover incumbent's hair, appropriate eye protection, and surgical mask in order to provide an aseptic environment in the operating room. If incumbent is assisting with a total joint replacement, he/she is often required wear special attire, which may be confining, such as a "space helmet" or hood. Incumbent may need to wears X-Ray protective lead attire (up to 20 pounds in weight) for prolonged periods of time. May be required to wear special respirator mask in the presence of highly contagious airborne pathogens such as tuberculosis.

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.

Conditions of employment

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• 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
• 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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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

Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled.

OR

For GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position.

GS-5 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Do you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

• Experience using instruments in basic surgical procedures
• Operates and monitor commonly used equipment performing simple surgical cases
• Understands and follows protocols for handling various specimens
• Assists in training staff in the operation of equipment
• Provides transportation of patients to and from the surgical/operating room
• Discusses each procedure with surgical professionals

OR

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, if required.

OR,

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree.

Note: Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. If education is used to meet specialized experience requirements, then such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position.

GS-6 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Do you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would include but not limited to:

• Operates and monitor commonly used equipment for more complex cases
• Decisions making regarding seriously controversial or significantly complex issues and communicating effectively to the Supervisor.
• Managing assignments of above average level complexity
• Develop techniques and skills in the position over time and will develop in making recommendations for improvement of processes and/or procedures.

NOTE: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. You must have education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree for GS-6

GS-7 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Do you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience

• Handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures to include extremely complex procedures independently.
• Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals, including ''Time-out" procedures, and assures that all supplies and equipment are available before procedure begins
• Utilizes Standard Precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies and equipment.
• Provides guidance and support to Nursing assistants, Clerical Staff, and other Surgical Technicians
• Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities.

NOTE: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-7.

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.