Surgical Technician (Operating Room)

The Surgical Technician (ST) is a member of the Surgical Specialty Operating Room surgical team. The ST aids the surgeon and other team members during surgical procedures. The ST participates with the surgical team members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the surgical team.

DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.

Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:

Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and complex equipment during all surgical procedures such as open heart, thoracic, major vascular, neurosurgery, microsurgery, transplantation, gynecology, urology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, a full range of general surgery cases, minimally invasive procedures, orthopedic surgery, and robotics.

• Plan and discuss each procedure with surgical professionals and assure that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure.
• Assists the team members with care of the patient, i.e., positioning, transporting, prepping, draping and ensuring patient safety via participation in surgical time out processes. The ST is responsible for ensuring sterility is maintained during the procedure by monitoring for breaches in technique of the surgical team.
• Handles all specimens appropriately.
• Utilizes standard precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
• In conjunction with the circulating registered nurse (RN), performs sponge and instrument counts to verify accuracy. responsible for the accountability for all surgical instruments and equipment during the surgical procedure.
• Assists the surgeon by performing such procedures as preparing skin grafts, suctioning, holding retractors, applying skin staples, and cutting sutures. Prepares prothesis and surgical devices during procedures.
• Provides transportation of patients to and from the Operating Room, as assigned.
• Functions as second circulator for complex surgical procedures.
• Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions.
• Maintains rules and regulations of restricted and semi-restricted areas of the OR suite.
• Provides guidance and support to OR Nursing Assistants and other ST's.
• Supervises volunteers, aides, non-surgical team members, students, and other personnel.
• Assists surgical team members in quality improvement activities.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Surgical Technician (Operating Room)/PD24148A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/21/2026.

Individual Occupational Requirements: 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.

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-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Assisting surgical team with patient positioning, prepping, and setting up the operative field. Providing transportation of patients to and from the surgical/operating room. Recognizing changes in patient condition and takes appropriate actions in response to the situations. Providing guidance and support to staff regarding infection control and patient safety protocol. Preparing prosthesis and/or surgical devices during procedures. Preparing, organizing, and maintaining highly complex sterile surgical setups. Monitoring and maintaining sterile practices throughout surgical procedures. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. 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. 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,

• Combination: You must have a combination 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. Equivalent combination 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 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.


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/.

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Best Qualified Criteria: Applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements and demonstrate superior experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities directly related to the duties of the position may be placed in the Best Qualified category. To be considered Best Qualified, applicants must possess: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level in the Federal service performing duties as a Surgical Technician in a hospital or surgical setting. Specialized experience must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of surgical procedures, instrumentation, sterile techniques, and infection prevention practices required to support a full range of surgical operations. Qualifying experience includes:

• Documented competency in sterile technique, instrument handling, and surgical field preparation across multiple specialties (e.g., general surgery, orthopedics, vascular, robotics).
• Anticipating the needs of surgeons and the surgical team during routine and complex procedures while responding quickly and accurately in emergency situations.
• Being recognizant of emergent complications and able to anticipate surgical needs during critical events in surgery.
• Handling surgical specimens, including proper collection, and labeling in accordance with established procedures.
• Preparing and managing for implantable devices such as prosthetic joints, pacemakers, vascular grafts, and other surgical implants.
• Applying knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology relevant to the sterile field.
• Communicating effectively with surgeons, nurses, anesthesia staff, and other multidisciplinary team members to ensure safe and efficient patient care.
• Providing guidance or instruction to staff and maintaining high standards of surgical support and patient safety.

Applicants demonstrating the highest level of proficiency, independence, and technical competence in these areas may be referred in the Best Qualified category.


Preferred Experience: Two years of Operating Room (OR) experience preferred.

Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of whom are at 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 to surgeons without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the surgeon.

Work Environment: Duties are performed in the operating room which require special OR attire with regular and recurring exposure to toxic an noxious gases such as: methyl methacrylate, glutaraldehyde, exposure to x-rays, and pure oxygen, exposure to blood and body fluids which are often infectious, and laser beams requiring special safety precautions. Appropriate scrub attire is required, including sterile gown and gloves, surgical caps to cover incumbent's hair, surgical mask or special attire such as goggles or face shield to prevent inadvertent splash injuries to his or her eyes. Appropriate laser glasses must be worn when working with lasers. Incumbents must frequently wear a 20-30-pound lead apron as protection from radiation during various procedures. Required persona protective equipment is provided by the facility. The operating room work environment is complex, intense fast paced. Good mental and emotional health is required in order to function at an optimum level.

• 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
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.