AMVETS Jobs

Summary This position is located in Nursing Service, Boise VA Medical Center. This position provides support for operating room surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. Responsibilities Major duties include but is not limited to: Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes, lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urological equipment, recording devices, and other operating room supplies and equipment Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to surgical procedure Prepares, organizes and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the surgical procedure and anticipates the needs of the surgeon by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time Utilizes universal precautions and follow all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies and equipment Assists the team members with care of the patient, i.e., positioning, prepping and obtaining supplies Handles all specimens appropriately Performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy. Responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments an equipment during the surgical procedure Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples and cutting sutures Prepares prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures Assists in training residents, medical students, nursing students, operating room technology students and new Operating (OR) staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling instruments and OR procedures to include the scrub role Functions as second circulator for complex surgical procedures Performs non technical maintenance on equipment to prevent malfunctions Maintains OR area Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials Recognizes potentially hazardous situations, e.g. frayed cords, water on the floor and takes corrective action Provides guidance and support to the Nursing Assistants and other surgical technicians Supervises volunteers, aides, non surgical team members, students and other personnel Provides guidance and support to professional and technical students of an approved surgical technology program Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Position Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD60308-A Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of which are stages of unconsciousness. There are extensive periods of regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, reaching and prolonged stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments and supplies for the surgeon. Incumbent must be dexterous in passing instruments and supplies for surgeons without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the surgeon. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. GS-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures; Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the 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, operating room technology students, and new Operating Room (OR), staff in the operation of equipment, sterile technique, handling of instruments, and OR procedures to include the scrub role in surgical procedures; Knowledge of sterile technique, sterilization chemical indicators, packaging, storage, shelf life, and rotation of sterile supplies; must possess knowledge of a wide variety of complex surgical procedures and possible complications in order to prepare for the procedure; Plans and discusses procedures with surgical professionals to determine proper positioning and assurances all supplies/equipment are available. Preferred Experience: 10 years of current surgical scrub experience. Be a Certified Surgical Technician. Experience in general surgery and orthopedic spine procedures. Must be a graduate of a surgical technician program. 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. Education There is no educational substitution for the GS-07 level. Additional Information The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.