Medical Assistant (MA) - Surgery Orthopedics
Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
About your past
Tell me about a time you had to give a medication or vaccine and something didn't go as expected. What did you do?
What they are checking: how the candidate handles clinical errors or complications calmly and safely
What does it mean to you to maintain patient confidentiality, and can you give an example of a time you had to protect it under pressure?
What they are checking: understanding of HIPAA and regulatory compliance in daily practice
Tell me about a time you worked closely with a physician or nurse on a patient's care and it went really well. What made that partnership work?
What they are checking: teamwork and communication style within a care team
Tell me about a time a patient's condition changed quickly while you were with them. What did you notice and what did you do first?
What they are checking: clinical judgment and speed of response in an urgent moment
Why orthopedics specifically, and what do you think is different about supporting an ortho care team compared to a general practice?
What they are checking: genuine interest in the specialty versus applying to any open MA role
What would you do
This role covers three sites in Downers Grove, Westmont, and Naperville. How do you handle working across multiple locations and keeping your routine consistent when the environment changes day to day?
What they are checking: adaptability and organization when the workplace itself is not fixed
An orthopedic patient comes in agitated and in pain, maybe frustrated about wait times or their injury. How do you de-escalate the situation before the provider sees them?
What they are checking: verbal de-escalation skill referenced in the physical requirements and patient-facing composure
Describe a day when the schedule was packed and a provider needed something urgently while you were mid-task with another patient. How did you prioritize?
What they are checking: ability to triage competing demands in a fast ambulatory clinic
This job involves lifting up to 35 pounds, sliding transfers of 150 pounds with a partner, and being on your feet most of the day. How do you approach the physical demands of the role?
What they are checking: honest self-assessment of physical readiness and safety awareness for patient handling
About the work
Walk me through how you room a patient for an orthopedic visit, from the moment you call them back to when the provider walks in.
What they are checking: whether the candidate has a real, efficient workflow versus a vague sense of the job
What vitals and history do you make sure to capture for an ortho visit that you might not for a general primary care visit?
What they are checking: specific orthopedic clinical knowledge versus generic MA training
Tell me about your experience with phlebotomy and point-of-care testing. What specimens have you collected and what tests have you run?
What they are checking: depth of the preferred phlebotomy skill and comfort with lab tasks
How do you document in the electronic health record so the provider and the rest of the team can trust what you wrote?
What they are checking: EHR fluency and attention to accurate, timely charting
Have you assisted a provider directly during a procedure, like an injection or a cast application? What was your role and what did you watch for?
What they are checking: hands-on procedural experience specific to orthopedics
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Advocate Health.