Surgical Tech (ST) - Cardiothoracic
Posted Sep 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 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.
Behavioral
Tell me about a time the surgeon needed something before you even thought to ask for it. How did you know, and what did you do?
ability to anticipate the surgeon's next move, which is core to scrubbing cardiac cases well
Describe a time you had to precept or teach a newer surgical tech during a real case. What did you focus on, and how did you handle it if they made a mistake on the field?
willingness and ability to mentor others, since this role is expected to precept Surgical Tech I staff
Tell me about a case where things went wrong, equipment failed, the patient became unstable, or the surgical plan changed suddenly. What was your role in handling it?
how the candidate performs under real pressure and whether they stayed within scope while helping resolve the crisis
Technical
Walk me through how you set up your back table and mayo stand for a routine CABG case, from the moment the room is turned over to incision.
whether the candidate has real, repeatable cardiothoracic case preparation experience versus general OR knowledge
What is your process for counting sponges, needles, and instruments on a long cardiac case, especially when there's a shift change or relief scrub in the middle of it?
rigor and consistency around patient safety protocols during extended, high-risk procedures
Tell me about the range of cardiothoracic procedures you've scrubbed in the last year, valve replacements, CABGs, thoracic resections, and where you'd say your strongest specialty knowledge is.
depth and recency of the required two-plus years of cardiothoracic-specific experience
How do you maintain and check a specialty cart, and what do you do when you find an instrument that isn't working right or supplies that are missing before a case starts?
ownership of equipment readiness and follow-through on reporting problems
What does maintaining a sterile field mean to you in practice, not just in theory, and can you describe a moment you caught a break in sterility before it became a problem?
depth of aseptic technique knowledge and vigilance, which is the foundation of the whole job
How would you adjust your approach when prepping or positioning a pediatric patient versus a geriatric patient for a cardiothoracic procedure?
understanding of age-specific care requirements called out explicitly in the job posting
Situational
Say you're mid-case on a valve repair and the surgeon suddenly calls for the heart-lung machine to be primed faster than expected, or something on the field breaks sterility. What do you do in that moment?
composure and correct prioritization during a high-stakes, fast-moving cardiac emergency
This position floats into the Main OR when needed. How do you feel about switching from cardiothoracic to general surgery cases, and what's your comfort level with general surgery instrumentation and setups?
flexibility and actual competence outside the specialty, since floating is a stated job requirement
This role has call one to two nights a week and one to two weekends a month, plus holiday rotation. How have you handled a demanding call schedule in past jobs, and is there anything about that schedule that concerns you?
realistic expectations about the schedule and honesty about whether it's sustainable for them
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As published by Advocate Health.
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