JobsAdvocate Health

Surgical Tech (ST) - Cardiothoracic

Advocate Health · Grafton, WI

Posted Sep 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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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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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 37703 AMC Grafton - Surgery Room Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 40 Schedule Details/Additional Information: Aurora Medical Center- Grafton has a great opportunity for you to join the CARDIOTHORACIC team. Position will work Mon - Fri, 0645 - 1515 with flexible start time to accommodate volume and call rotation. Call rotation for this team is 1-2 nights per week, 1-2 weekends per month and every other holiday. Position will float into Main OR when necessary, general surgery experience preferred. Candidates MUST have 2+ years of CARDIOTHORACIC Surgical Tech experience to be considered. Pay Range: $28.55 - $42.85 Amazing skills, professionalism, and high engagement. Aurora continues to offer leading benefits, and a competitive wage program to help you live your best life, Sign on Bonuses up to of $12,000 for 3 years+ of experience/$8,000 0-3 years of experience, Top Referral program, ExCEL Professional Development for Surgical Techs/Assists with financial incentives. Major Responsibilities: • Provides for a clean, safe and efficient area conducive to optimal patient care. Utilizes aseptic surgical techniques in the preparation of materials, supplies and equipment for surgical procedures • Performs all types of procedures and maintains advanced knowledge of a variety of procedures OR specializes in a surgical specialty area, where applicable serving as a resource to others and assisting with complex surgical cases. • Ensures the environmental disinfection, safety and efficiency of the operating room. This includes setting up the room for each case including moving equipment (i.e., tables, cameras, microscopes, fracture table, and instrument pans), operating the various types of equipment used during operating room procedures, and returning equipment post procedure. • Notifies appropriate staff of equipment and supply problems. • Transports patients and/or equipment and supplies. • Maintains a specialty cart or item, ensuring its completeness and availability. This includes checking the working condition of equipment, sterility, and sending damaged items out for repair. • Acts as a resource and precepts Surgical Technologists I and/or participates in department or facility committees or work teams. • Performs various patient positioning and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique. • Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards. Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required: • Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required. Education Required: • Completion of an accredited or approved program in Surgical Technology. Experience Required: • Typically requires 2 years of experience in a Surgical Technologist position. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • Completion of a suturing class approved by supervisor. • Proficient in all types of surgical procedures and maintains advanced knowledge of a variety of procedures OR specializes in a surgical specialty area, where applicable. • Advanced knowledge and skill of aseptic surgical techniques used in the preparation of materials, supplies and equipment for various surgical procedures and suturing. • Demonstrated ability to anticipate and recognize physician's needs and changes that require unplanned or unanticipated interventions and respond appropriately. • Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. • Basic computer proficiency. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: • Must be able to withstand a very stressful and fast-paced environment. • Must be able to: • lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist. • lift up to 20 lbs. over the head. • carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance. • Must be able to: • push/pull with 30 lbs. of force. • perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present. • Required to use foot pedals on carts or machines. • Exposed to the following hazards on a continuous basis: mechanical, electrical, chemical, radiation, blood and body fluids. • Must have functional sight and hearing. • Required to wear masks, gloves, goggles, and gowns. • Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above shoulders and twist frequently during work shift. • Must be able to operate all equipment essential to performing the duties of the job. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health  Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

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