New Grad Cohort - Surgical Tech - Ambulatory Surgery Center
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 in clinical rotations when you noticed a break in sterile technique. What did you do?
What they are checking: willingness to speak up and follow protocol even when it's uncomfortable, since sterile field integrity is non-negotiable
Tell me about a time you had to keep up in a fast-moving or chaotic situation, whether in school, clinicals, or another job.
What they are checking: stamina and composure under the pace of a live OR, especially for someone without work experience yet
Tell me about a time you had to accept feedback or correction from a supervisor or instructor that was hard to hear.
What they are checking: coachability, since a new grad will be corrected constantly during onboarding and needs to take it well
What does it mean to you to act as a patient advocate when the patient is under anesthesia and can't speak for themselves?
What they are checking: whether the candidate grasps their role beyond technical tasks, as someone protecting a vulnerable person
Tell me about a time you had to teach or explain something to someone less experienced than you.
What they are checking: aptitude for the preceptor and knowledge-sharing expectations built into this role
What would you do
Say you're mid-case and you realize an instrument on the field may have been contaminated. What do you do right then?
What they are checking: whether the candidate will stop and act correctly under pressure rather than freeze or hope no one notices
How do you feel about being on call, including weekday evenings and weekend calls that could bring you in during off hours?
What they are checking: realistic expectations about the schedule and whether the candidate has actually thought through the lifestyle demands
During a surgical time out, you notice something seems off, maybe the site or the consent doesn't match what you were told. What do you do?
What they are checking: understanding that any team member can and must halt the procedure until everyone agrees, regardless of hierarchy
How would you handle a moment where a physician is frustrated and short with you during a case?
What they are checking: emotional regulation and professionalism under stress from senior staff, common in OR environments
You're asked to help with an emergency add-on case with very little notice or prep time. Walk me through what you'd do.
What they are checking: ability to prioritize and stay organized when normal setup routines get compressed
About the work
Walk me through how you set up a sterile field for a case from start to finish.
What they are checking: whether the candidate actually knows the sequence and standards of sterile field prep, since new grads need to demonstrate this is more than textbook knowledge
How do you go about learning a surgeon's preference card and anticipating what they'll need before they ask?
What they are checking: understanding of the anticipatory nature of scrub work, not just following a checklist
Describe how you'd handle a surgical count that doesn't match at the end of a case.
What they are checking: knowledge of count discrepancy protocol and comfort escalating a problem that could affect patient safety
What's your plan for preparing for and passing your certification exam within three months of starting?
What they are checking: self-direction and realistic planning toward a hard requirement of the job
Practice this interview out loud.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Advocate Health.