Summary

This position functions as a Surgical Technician (ST) for the Surgical Service at the VA St. Louis Healthcare System (VASTLHCS). The Surgical Technician acts as a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 05/18/2026. Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series - and it is something that can't be waived. GS-0640 Health Aid and Technician Series: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): 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 requires application of the knowledge - methods - and techniques of the position to be filled. After you meet the IOR listed above then 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-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments - supplies - and equipment during all surgical procedures (open heart - thoracic - major vascular - neurosurgery - microsurgery - joint replacement - etc.). Sets up sterile field and all required items/equipment for each procedure. 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. Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions. Maintains Operating Room area. Assists volunteers - aides - non-surgical team members - students - and other personnel. Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one full year of graduate education directly related to the work of the position meets the requirements for GS-7. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school - 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and one year of graduate education directly related to the work of the position to meet the requirements for GS-7. To calculate - first identify the percentage of required education you have earned. Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-07. For example - an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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/.

Duties

• This position functions as a Surgical Technician (ST) for the Surgical Service at the VA St
• Louis Healthcare System (VASTLHCS)
• The Surgical Technician acts as a member of the surgical team and provides assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures
• The Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team
• Duties include but are not limited: Identifies the patient by full name - full SSN - and date of birth and verifies presence of necessary documentation
• Responsible for handling instruments - supplies and equipment during standard - intermediate and complex surgery
• Cleans supply items by removing gross contamination using approved techniques - solutions and/or supplies
• Provides orientation/ training to staff regarding equipment or instruments used by the surgeon
• Positions and repositions patients for all surgical procedures
• Transports patients pre-operatively and post-operatively - observing vital signs and untoward reactions to pre-medication or local anesthesia and reports findings to nurse or physician
• Demonstrates proper body mechanics when lifting and moving patients to prevent injury to themselves and patients
• Supports physicians and nurses in the care and treatment of patients undergoing surgical procedures or assist with monitoring patients recovering from a procedure
• Responds to emergency situations to provide support to staff - and function as a runner
• Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens - supplies and equipment
• Work Schedule: Full Time - Permanent - Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m
• - 3:00 p.m
• with on call hours on weeknights - weekends - and holidays
• Schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the healthcare system
• Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD10423A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized