The Surgical Technician performs the following major duties:
Functions as a Primary Scrub Person
- Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as: open heart, thoracic, major vascular, neurosurgery, microsurgery, total joint replacement, renal transplant, and robotic surgery.
- 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, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operation room supplies and equipment.
- Plans and discusses each procedure with surgical professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure.
- Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex sterile surgical setups.
- Observes and responds 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 follows all Infection Control Policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
- Assists the team members with care of patient, i.e., positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies.
- Handles all specimens appropriately.
- In conjunction with the circulating Registered Nurse (RN), performs sponge and instruments counts to verify accuracy.
- Responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments and equipment during and after the surgical procedure (i.e. pre-cleaning and spraying of instruments).
- In conjunction with the surgical team participate in "Time Out and Fire Risk Assessment".
- Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cuffing sutures. Prepares prosthesis and surgical devices during procedures.
- 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.
- Functions as second circulator for complex surgical procedures.
Maintains Equipment and Work Area - Performs non-technical maintenance of 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 floor) and takes corrective action.
Provides Guidance/Supervision - Provides guidance and support to 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.
Other Duties - Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities.
- Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education courses.
- Performs other duties as assigned, normally of a related nature.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
Work Schedule: M-F, 7:30am - 4pm with consideration of 10hr flex tours 0730-1800 after successful orientation and evaluation of time and attendance. 24/hr on call required after orientation which are inclusive to holidays, nights and weekends.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD55654A and PD52410A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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 prolong stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments and supplies for the surgeon. The surgical technician must be dexterous in passing instruments to surgeons without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the surgeon.
Starting at $60,427 Per Year (GS 6-7)