Surgical Technician-Operating Room

Description:

The incumbent is responsible for handling instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures.

For three consecutive years, Truman VA has been ranked #1 nationally by employees as "Best Place to Work" among 142 VA Medical Centers, based on results from the All Employee Survey.

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

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/19/2026.

• Specialized Experience for GS-04: You must have at least 6 months of general experience plus 6 months of specialized experience. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Having knowledge of medical instrument. Having knowledge of human anatomy. Having knowledge of physiology. Having knowledge of Sterile Fields. Having knowledge of aseptic technique to prepare and protect a sterile field during surgery. OR,
• Education GS-04: Successful completion of a two years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects related to the position. OR,
• COMBINATION : You must have a combination of specialized experience and post high school education as described above that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. This experience must be supported by your resume to be creditable and transcripts are required at the time of application.

• Specialized Experience for GS-05: You must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-04) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Providing direct patient care in a hospital/medical/surgical facility. Setting up sterile fields. Assisting health care providers in surgery for a variety of procedures. Following universal precautions for infection control. And understanding and using proper medical terminology. OR,
• Education GS-05: 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. OR,
• COMBINATION : You must have a combination of specialized experience and post high school education as described above that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. This experience must be supported by your resume to be creditable and transcripts are required at the time of application.

• Specialized Experience for GS-06: You must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Preparing sterile fields for surgical procedures. Monitoring and maintaining aseptic techniques throughout surgical procedures. Handling medical instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures. Performing proper cleaning techniques. Handling and rotation of sterile supplies. Properly handling contaminated items applying knowledge of universal precautions. And implementing infection control policies and procedures.

• Specialized Experience for GS-07: You must have 1 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: Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures such as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, cutting sutures. Prepares prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures. Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating room technology students, and new operating room staff in the operation of equipment, sterile techniques, handling instruments, and/or procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures. Recognizes potentially hazardous situation and takes corrective action. Provides guidance and support to Nursing Assistants and other Health Technicians. OR,
• Education for GS-07 : Must have successfully completed one full year of graduate education (18 semester hours or equivalent), or an internship in course matter with a major that included courses directly related to the work of the Health Technician position. OR,
• Combination of Specialized Experience and Education GS-07 : Must have an equivalent combination of related graduate level education and specialized experience to meet the total experience requirement.

Preferred Experience:

1. Surgical Technician certification
2. Demonstrated knowledge of AORN standards.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Organizational Awareness
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork
• Technical Competence
• Technical Competence
• Technology Management

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.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: 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/ .