Health Technician (Surgical Technician) - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized Job in Amarillo, TX

Vacancy No. CAZM-12706787-25-LGJ Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $44,959.00 to $58,445.00 Grade 6 to 6
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 3/7/2025 Close Date 6/13/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Amarillo, TX


Summary

Health Technician (Surgical Technician) is a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. Participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team.

This job is open to

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.

Duties

Relocation or Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified individual.

This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 03/17/2025. Additional applications will be referred as needed.

Duties include, but are not limited to:
Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical and endoscopic procedures such as: thoracic, oncology, laparoscopic, podiatry, gynecology, urology and total joint replacement surgery

  • Setting up 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
  • Planning and discussing each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure
  • Preparing, organizing and maintaining highly complex sterile surgical setups
  • Observing and responding promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipating the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time
  • Utilizing universal precautions and following all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies and equipment
  • Handling all specimens appropriately
  • Functioning as second circulator for complex surgical procedures
Maintains Equipment and Work Areas
  • Performing non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions
  • Maintaining OR area
  • Recognizing potentially hazardous situations ( e.g., frayed cords, water on floor) and takes corrective action
Provides Guidance/Supervision
  • Providing guidance and support to Nursing Assistants and other Surgical Technicians (Operating Room Nursing Assistants)
  • Supervising volunteers, aides, non-surgical team members, students and other personnel
Other Duties
  • Assisting surgical team members. in quality improvement activities
Work Schedule: Fulltime, Monday thru Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., plus after hours and weekend on call
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Surgical Technician) - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized/PD504-2085-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual: Relocation incentives may be authorized to full-time Federal employees who must change worksites & physically relocate to a different geographic area when the approving official determines that without the incentive, it would be difficult to fill the position with a high-quality candidate.
Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual: Recruitment incentives may be authorized to full-time, part time or intermittent individuals in their first appointment as a Federal employee or to a newly appointed former Federal employee with at least a 90-day break in service.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Bargaining Unit position

Requirements

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
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Required Documents" below for details.
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/13/2025.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:
  • Individual Occupational Requirement: 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.
  • 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:knowledge of highly technical medical instruments, human anatomy, physiology and aseptic technique to prepare and protect the sterile field during surgery; knowledge of sterile technique must include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage and shelf life; knowledge of a wide variety of complex surgical and endoscopic procedures and possible complications in order to prepare for the procedure, to anticipate the needs of the surgical and endoscopic team, to respond with speed and accuracy, and to report observations and immediate procedural needs to the RN circulator; knowledge of anatomy, physiology and protocol to select the correct instruments for a procedure anticipating the needs of the surgeon during the procedure and on a regular and recurring basis recognize and respond to a variety of critical situations, including emergency and life threatening conditions; technical knowledge on the use and effects of anesthesia in order to recognize the hazards of anesthetic agents and to recognize and respond to adverse conditions during the course of the procedure; know how to prepare instruments for gas and steam sterilization; knowledge of proper patient positioning depending on the types of procedures, be able to provide emotional support to patients, and be able to assist anesthesia providers when implanting pain control devices; must possess advanced knowledge of medical terminology to be able to understand written and verbal requests of procedures and knowledge of proper patient positioning depending on the types of procedures, be able to provide emotional support to patients and be able to assist anesthesia providers when implanting pain control devices and must possess advanced knowledge of medical terminology to be able to understand written and verbal requests of procedures.
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/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

"Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act."

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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.

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • Other (2)
  • Other (3)
  • PCS Orders
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Proof of Enrollment
  • Proof of Marriage Status
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

Documents Required:
  • Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

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.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 06/13/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12706787.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

For this open continuous job announcement, after 90 days of application submission, your application will expire. If you continue to be interested in this position, please update your application thru your USAJobs.gov account.

Agency contact information

VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
Address
Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center
6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West
Amarillo, TX 79106
US

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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