Jobs › ThedaCare

OR Surgical Technologist

ThedaCare · Appleton, WI · Full time

Posted Jul 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at ThedaCare

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 spoke up about a sterility concern with someone more senior.

What they are checking: Whether they will protect the patient over hierarchy, which surgical teams depend on.

What specialties are you strongest in, and how quickly do you pick up new procedures?

What they are checking: Honest self-assessment and learning speed, which shape orientation and case assignments.

Tell me how you help with room turnover and instrument care at the end of a case.

What they are checking: Whether they see themselves as part of the full workflow, including care of instruments for sterile processing.

What would you do

You notice a small hole in your glove during a case. What do you do?

What they are checking: Commitment to sterile technique even when fixing it slows the case down.

The surgeon asks for an instrument that is not on your preference card. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Calm problem solving with the circulator and willingness to update preference cards afterward.

A surgeon is frustrated and snaps at you during a hard part of the case. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Ability to stay focused and professional, then address the issue later if needed.

About the work

Walk me through how you set up your back table and Mayo stand for a case you do often.

What they are checking: Organization and knowledge of instruments, which affects how smoothly the whole case runs.

How do you anticipate what the surgeon needs before they ask?

What they are checking: Whether they follow the steps of the procedure closely enough to stay one move ahead.

How do you handle sharps on the field to protect yourself and the team?

What they are checking: Safe practices like neutral zones and announcing sharps, which prevent needlestick injuries.

Walk me through your role in the counts at the start, during and at the end of a case.

What they are checking: Knowing that counts are shared work with the circulator and must be done the same way every time.

How do you handle and pass off specimens and medications on the sterile field?

What they are checking: Careful labeling and verbal confirmation that prevent medication errors and lost specimens.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at ThedaCare from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by ThedaCare.

Why ThedaCare? Living A Life Inspired! Our new vision at ThedaCare is bold, ambitious, and ignited by a shared passion to provide outstanding care. We are inspired to reinvent health care by becoming a proactive partner in health, enriching the lives of all and creating value in everything we do. Each of us are called to take action in delivering higher standards of care, lower costs and a healthier future for our patients, our families, our communities and our world. At ThedaCare, our team members are empowered to be the catalyst of change through our values of compassion, excellence, leadership, innovation, and agility. A career means much more than excellent compensation and benefits. Our team members are supported by continued opportunities for learning and development, accessible and transparent leadership, and a commitment to work/life balance. If you’re interested in joining a health care system that is changing the face of care and well-being in our community, we encourage you to explore a future with ThedaCare. Benefits , with a whole-person approach to wellness – • Lifestyle Engagement • e.g. health coaches, relaxation rooms, health focused apps (Wonder, Ripple), mental health support • Access & Affordability • e.g. minimal or zero copays, team member cost sharing premiums, daycare About ThedaCare! Summary : The Surgical Technologist assists in the preparation and care of surgical patients under the general direction of a professional nurse or a physician. Possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile/aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a surgeon’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. Job Description: Click here to watch a testimonial on why to join our team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvjGNvPiWi8 Schedule: • Variable 8-hour shifts (Typically 06:00-15:00, 09:00-17:30, 09:30-18:00, and 11:30-20:00). • On-call 1 weeknight and every 4th weekend • On-call 1-2 holidays per year • Call time response of 30 minutes Unit Details (Operating Room): Perioperative services is a challenging and unique area of medicine and is a little known area of nursing where we have the opportunity to care for patients at their most vulnerable. Surgery is a fast paced, technologically advanced, challenging environment where you will have the opportunity to work side by side with exceptionally skilled and caring professionals including nurses, surgical technologists, surgeons, and anesthesiologists in a team environment to provide exceptional care to all who move through surgery. As an OR nurse, you will advocate for your patient in an environment in a 1:1 nurse to patient ratio while participating in providing life changing care while we improve the health of those we serve. At our Appleton campus you can participate in Robotics, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Cardiovascular, ENT, Plastics, Gynecologic, Vascular, Level III Trauma care, and surgical care for Cancer patients. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES: • Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of surgical procedures and instrumentation to provide the highest quality outcomes for a patient undergoing a procedure. • Selects instruments, equipment, and supplies for each surgical procedure to achieve desired clinical outcomes. • Prepares room for procedure by setting up sterile tables and checking equipment and supplies to ensure the operating room is ready for patient care. • Scrubs for surgical procedures by helping with prepping and draping patients, passing sterile instruments and supplies, and assisting with surgical procedures to ensure quality outcomes for patients. • Understands and follows the principles of sterile technique, and takes steps to remedy breaks in sterile technique to ensure a safe patient environment. • Identifies specimens before passing off the field and transports specimens to pathology, as directed, to ensure specimens are handled according to policy. • Identifies, with registered nurse, intra-procedure medication, dosage, and labeling of all solutions and drugs to ensure safe medication practices are in place. • Assists with the transfer of patients in to or out of operating room to ensure operating room efficiency and patient safety. • Cleans rooms, instruments, and equipment according to regulatory standards and policies to ensure patient safety. QUALIFICATIONS: • High School diploma or GED preferred • Must be 18 years of age • Completion of a surgical technologist training program. • American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS). • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) is also required in the Cath Lab. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: • Ability to move freely (standing, stooping, walking, bending, pushing, and pulling) and lift up to a maximum of Fifty (50) pounds without assistance • Job classification is exposed to blood borne pathogens (blood or bodily fluids) while performing job duties WORK ENVIRONMENT • May be exposed to communicable diseases when working in a healthcare setting • Frequent exposure to sharp objects and instruments • Frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electric shock • Occasional high noise level • Occasional high noise level in work environment • Possible exposure to hazardous materials • Interaction with department members and various catering customers. Position requires compliance with department specific competencies. . Scheduled Weekly Hours: 32 Scheduled FTE: 0.8 Location: ThedaCare Regional Medical Center - Appleton - Appleton,Wisconsin Overtime Exempt: No Worker Shift Details: Variable

Apply at ThedaCare