Surgical Technician assigned to the Surgical/Specialty Care Service Line, VA Health Care System, St. Cloud, MN. The surgical technologist must have the ability to carry out assigned surgical technology duties based on surgical procedure. Uses patient-centered care based on the patient's conditions; uses judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Minimal Qualification Requirements: The Health Aid and Technician Series, 0640, has an Individual Occupational Requirement that must be met in order to qualify for this position: Specialized Experience: 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. OR, Education and Training: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement, you may qualify at each grade level based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: 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. OR, Education and Training: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. 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: utilizing knowledge of medical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic technique to prepare and protect sterile field during surgery; exercising sterile technique to include sterilizer operations and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage, and shelf life; handling medical instruments, supplies and equipment during all surgical procedures; performing proper cleaning techniques, as well as the proper handling and rotation of sterile supplies; handling contaminated items, quality control, and personal hygiene, using knowledge of universal precautions and implementing infection control policies and procedures. NOTE: 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. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-07 level. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate education (18 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position such as anatomy and physiology, surgical technology, aseptic techniques, etc. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-07 level. Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Surgical Technician position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your aTo calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you 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. ["Major Duties: Provide assistance to the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures Function as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies and equipment; Prepare, organize and maintain highly complex sterile surgical setups; Plan and discuss each procedure with surgical team to ensure all supplies and equipment are available prior to surgical procedures; Provide guidance and support to professional staff during surgical procedures; Understand the proper procedure and safety precautions for disinfecting surgical instruments; Perform non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions; Recognize potentially hazardous situations and takes corrective action; Assess equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials; Perform other related duties as assigned. Preferred 3-5 years with hospital operating room experience in all surgical areas to include: General Surgery, Plastics, ENT, Ortho, Urology, Podiatry, Ophthalmology, and GI/Endoscopy. Preferred knowledge of Lasers/Cautery. Preferred experience in SPS. Work Schedule: One Week - Two 8 hour days (Tues & Thurs 7 - 3:30)One Week - Three 8 hour days (Mon, Wed, Fri 7 - 3:30)\nPosition Description Title/PD#: Surgical Technician/PD90077A\nPhysical Requirements: Long periods of standing, walking, stooping and/or bending. Occasional lifting and caring of moderately heavy objects, including patient transfer assistance at the beginning and end of case. Must be able to provide proper surgical visualization by holding retractors for extended periods of time often in strained or awkward positions. 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. Employee must be able to work under the pressure of emergent conditions, tight schedules and a constant changing schedule due to emergencies."]