Jobs › Northwestern Medicine

Surgical Tech Full Time Days Sign on Bonus Eligible

Northwestern Medicine · Palos Heights, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Oct 5, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Northwestern Medicine

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

The posting says ortho experience is strongly preferred. What orthopedic cases have you scrubbed?

What they are checking: Whether they bring the specific orthopedic experience this team is looking for.

Tell me about a time you had to respond to an emergency during surgery.

What they are checking: Whether they stay ready for emergencies and know their role when things change quickly.

How do you keep the specialty carts stocked so cases are not delayed?

What they are checking: Whether they take ownership of supply readiness, which the posting lists as a duty.

What would you do

You notice a break in sterile technique during a case. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they speak up right away, even with a surgeon in the room.

A surgeon gets frustrated and snaps at you during a case. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm and focused on the patient without taking it personally.

What do you do if an implant or instrument you need is missing from the tray?

What they are checking: Whether they find a fast solution while keeping the team informed and the field sterile.

About the work

Walk me through how you set up your back table for a total knee replacement.

What they are checking: Whether they know an orthopedic setup well, including implants, power tools and the surgeon's preference card.

How do you keep an accurate count of sponges, needles and instruments, and what happens if the count is off?

What they are checking: Whether they follow count procedures strictly and stop the process when something is missing.

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

What they are checking: Whether they know the steps of procedures well enough to stay one step ahead.

How do you help with positioning and draping to keep the patient safe?

What they are checking: Whether they understand pressure points, nerve protection and proper draping.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Northwestern Medicine 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 Northwestern Medicine.

Ortho experience strongly preferred $10K Sign on Bonus Eligible Internal employees and rehires less than a year are not eligible The Surgical Technician reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. • Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, the Surgical Technician is responsible for her/his assigned procedures. As a member of the surgical team she/he provides the surgeon with the proper instrumentation and equipment and works to maintain a safe environment for each patient and a readiness for emergency situations, taking into consideration the special needs and behaviors of the specific age of the unit population. RESPONSIBILITIES • Assesses and identifies equipment and supplies for all cases assigned. • Identifies potential or real problems that need immediate correction or attention. • Reviews daily assignment to maintain supply inventory on specialty carts. • Sets up table, instruments and supplies according to procedure and physician's preference cards. • Assists in positioning and draping of patient. • Anticipates and assists in meeting the needs of the surgeon. • Maintains and is responsible for counts of instruments, sponges, needles and miscellaneous items with the R.N. • Maintains aseptic technique throughout procedure. • Handles equipment properly and removes gross contamination before sending to S.S.P. • Assists the registered nurse in circulating duties when not scrubbed. • Opens supplies • Counts, when RN is scrub person • Assist anesthesia, as needed • Assist in specimen collection and labeling • Relay messages to team leader • Obtain any additional supplies needed • Assist RN in moving and positioning of patient • Monitors use and maintenance of doctor's specialty instruments. • Maintains readiness for emergencies and the need to assist the surgeon, if necessary, until additional help can be obtained. • Coordinates use of supplies and equipment for intraoperative care with other staff. • Informs OR Charge Nurse\Supply Systems or designee of need for special order supplies. Minimum Requirements: Education: • Graduate of a Surgical Technology program Certification: • BLS – CPR Preferred: • Certified as a Surgical Technician • Previous experience as a Surgical Technician Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.

Apply at Northwestern Medicine