This position is located within the Critical Care Service at the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System in Tucson - AZ. The Surgical Technician is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other healthcare team members during surgical procedures and perioperative preparation of these procedures.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 07/17/2026. English Language Proficiency Requirement: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to perform the duties of this position. ~AND~ You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-07 Level Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: functioning as the primary scrub person or providing assistance to a surgical team during/for surgical procedures in at least half of the following specialties: Orthopedics (Totals) - Vascular (Open and Endo). Ophthalmology - Urology - Gynecology - general - plastics and Cardiothoracic; utilizing knowledge of highly technical medical instruments - human anatomy - and aseptic technique to prepare and protect the sterile field during surgery; functioning as the primary scrub person handling instruments - supplies - and equipment during all surgical procedures; preparing - organizing - and maintaining highly complex sterile surgical setups; observing and responding to each stage of a surgical procedure to anticipate the needs of the surgeon; handling specimens appropriately; and cleaning and decontaminating instruments before and after procedures. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title - duties - month and year start/end dates - AND hours worked per week. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate education (or 18 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position such as anatomy and physiology - surgical technology - aseptic techniques - etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR - Combination: You must have a combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience - as described above - which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position. Equivalent combination of successfully completed some graduate level education and specialized experience - as described above - which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position such as anatomy and physiology - surgical technology - aseptic techniques - etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Preferred Qualification: Completion of a Surgical Technologist program. 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/.
Duties
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until June 17 - 2026
The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be May 1 - 2026 - with subsequent cut-off dates every two (2) weeks thereafter
Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
The major duties include but are not limited to: Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments - supplies - and equipment during all surgical procedures including but not limited to: thoracic - major vascular - general - urology - plastics - ophthalmology - and total joint replacement surgery
Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment - fiber optic equipment - laparoscopic equipment - etc
responsible for fashioning a highly complex sterile field and identifying the required surgical items need for each procedure
In conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN) - performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy before the start of the procedure - end of procedure - or anytime a staff relief occurs
The incumbent must have in depth knowledge of each surgical item used during the procedure
Each item is inspected prior to the case to ensure the integrity of the equipment is intact - sterile and equipment is functional
Incumbent will have familiarity with each piece of equipment - be able to identify the equipment by name - and understand usage for surgical procedures
Incumbent must have knowledge of additional surgical equipment specific to each surgical service - 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
Assists the team members with care of the patient - i.e. - positioning - prepping - and obtaining supplies
Incumbent is knowledgeable in anatomy - stages of the surgical procedure and able to anticipate the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration
Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens - supplies - and equipment
Prepares prostheses and surgical devices during procedures
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD12591A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
