Surgical Instrument Maker

Class Specifications – H.15
Principal Surgical Instrument Maker – 8791
Senior Surgical Instrument Maker – 8792

April, 1974

Series Concept

Surgical Instrument Makers perfonn the work of a highly skilled instrument maker in the research, design, fabrication, repair and maintenance of surgical instruments and apparatus; and perform other related duties as required.

Incumbents typically do general bench or hand work and operate machine tools and general machjne shop equipment in the fabrication and repair of surgical instruments; inspect, disassemble, reassemble and adjust surgical instruments of all types including electrically operated and lighted instruments; and confer with surgeons during operations, autopsies, and dissections regarding corrections or additions to surgical instruments in use.

Class Concepts

Principal Surgical Instrument Maker

Under direction, incumbents supervise the work in a surgicLl instrument shop; work from rough sketches or written and/or oral instructions of physicians in designing all types of surgical instruments; design tools and dies; perfonnunusually complicated and difficult instrument work; estimate and cost work performed; and confer with physicians, research personnel and department heads in establishing policies and procedures relating to administrative matters affecting cost.

Principal Surgical Instrument Maker positions differ from Senior Surgical Instrument Maker positions in that duties assigned to incumbents include management of a surgical instrument shop and supervision over other Instrument Makers, and in addition require the highest level of skill in the design of surgical instruments.

Senior Surgical Instrument Maker

Under general supervision, incumbents at the operational level design and modify surgical instruments; design tools and dies; operate machine tools such as lathes, shapers, milling machines, drill and punch presses, lapping and polishing machines; perform skilled metal work such as forging, prijfing, gas and electric welding, and sheet metal work; anneal, harden, and temper metals; repair surgical instruments of all typ~s; and confer with surgeons regarding corrections or additions to surgical instruments.

Minimum Qualifications

Principal Surgical Instrument Maker

Vocational training equivalent to completion of a tool and die apprenticeship program and eight years of experien~ in surgical instrument making, including three years at the Senior level; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Senior Surgical Instrument Maker

Vocational training equivalent to completion of a tool and die apprenticeship program and three years of experience performing metal working duties described in the Class concept; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.