Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation. (NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.)

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• These guidelines list the major duties but are not all inclusive of the functions the OR Surgical Technician will be expected to perform. The Surgical Technician provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members in designated areas and OR suite and surgical clinic. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in his or her assigned services area.
• Transports patients pre-operatively and post-operatively and procedures needed supplies, drugs, blood, reports and equipment.
• Functions as a primary scrub person on all surgical procedures, handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as thoracic, vascular, orthopedic, EENT, etc. Under supervision of the RN, assists in circulating functions, performing instrument and sponge counts and accounting for surgical instruments and equipment during surgical procedures. Gathers and communicates technical data to the RN.
• Participates in the preoperative role by evaluating the needs of the surgical patient and assisting in patient positioning and preparation of specialized support equipment that is necessary for the most complex surgical procedures. Anticipates, recognizes and resolves the unfamiliar situations or deviations from standard protocol, policies, procedures and completed informed consent, availability of specific equipment.
• Actively participates with the RN in developing a plan to meet the needs and expectations of the various surgical teams. Demonstrates self-composure and effective interpersonal skills, when relating/communicating with diverse personalities, difficult situations. Plans and discusses surgical procedures with the surgical team and ensures all needed supplies and equipment are available.
• Practices principles of sterile technique, preparing instrumentations independently and with direct supervision, utilizing aseptic technique, maintaining a sterile field intraoperatively. May be responsible in training aseptic techniques to other service technicians.
• Provides basic nursing care for patients undergoing procedures while maintaining patients privacy.
• Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples and cutting sutures. Prepares prostheses and surgical devices during procedures.
• Anticipates, detects and responds to deviation from normal in the patients, which can result in an emergent situation. Observes and responds promptly to each stage of surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time.
• Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, surgical technology students, and new OR staff in operating equipment, sterile technique, handling instruments, and OR procedures (including the scrub role in surgical procedures).Also provides guidance and support to students and other surgical technicians.
• Identifies, initiates and implements new preference cards/new case cart systems, working independently with SPD, following policy, when new procedures are preformed personnel are able to project possible equipment, specialty instruments that might be utilized and are able to assimilate that knowledge and set up case carts, which entails identifying expendable soft goods, instrument sets, technological support.
• Maintain established competencies for area of assignment. Actively participates in and promotes education opportunities for the service. Initiates and implements in-services related to inter-service needs with the OR collaborates with SPD/GU/Ortho techs.
• Identifies and actively participates in departmental programs for cost containment and risk management. Initiates, reviews and updates supply levels, evaluating and adjusting as needed.
• Communicates and interacts appropriately with adult and geriatric patients and visitors and displays courteous, compassionate, caring, and respectful behavior when interacting with all others (staff, students, etc.) Also has access to printed and electronic files containing so sensitive data which has been protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statues and policies, and VHA. The incumbent is responsible for protecting that data from unauthorized release or loss, alteration, or deletion and to follow applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files as set out in c computer agreement the employee has signed.
• Utilizes the computer on a daily basis for various functions, reading and sending mailman messages, requesting leave, entering appropriate patients information.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm and on call after hours, weekends, holidays.
Telework: This position not authorized for telework.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Surgical Tech)/PD01185A

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

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.

Upon completion of your probationary period 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, 04/23/2026.

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-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: Working in an operating room, assisting surgeons during medical procedures, setting up a sterile field with all required items for surgical procedures (i.e., air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices and other operating room (OR) supplies and equipment, etc.); Handling highly technical medical instruments during surgery; Using human anatomy, physiology and aseptic technique; Handling specimens correctly; Prepare and protect the sterile field during surgery; Work with complex surgical procedures and possible complications; Report observations and immediate procedural needs; Recognize emergent complications; Operate the sterilization machine and use of proper cleaning/sterile technique for high level disinfecting of instruments; Proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies and handling of contaminated items, quality control and personal hygiene; Implement infection control procedures; Store instruments and supplies properly to maintain sterility.
• OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have. 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. Note: must attach a copy of your transcripts.
• OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond.

AND
In Addition To the Specialized Experience Applicant must meet the required IOR.

Individual Occupational Requirements 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. 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.

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/.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Your 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. 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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other supporting documents
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

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