Surgical Tech Student - Per Diem

Where are you in your surgical technology program, and what cases have you scrubbed so far in clinicals?

What they are checking: Whether they give an honest picture of their skills so the team knows how much guidance they need.

Tell me about a time a preceptor or surgeon corrected you. How did you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they take correction without getting defensive, which is how students grow in the OR.

This is a per diem role. How would you fit shifts around your classes and clinical schedule?

What they are checking: Whether they can commit to shifts reliably while staying on track in their program.

You think you might have contaminated your glove but you aren't sure. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they treat doubt as contamination and speak up, which is the core habit of sterile technique.

Turnover between cases is running long and the next surgeon is waiting. How do you help speed it up without cutting corners?

What they are checking: Whether they can work fast on room turnover while still following cleaning and setup standards.

Walk me through how you open sterile supplies and set up your back table.

What they are checking: Whether they have a methodical setup routine that protects the sterile field.

How does the instrument, sponge and sharps count work, and what happens if the count doesn't match?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that the count stops the case until resolved, because it prevents retained objects.

How do you handle a specimen from the moment it's passed off the field?

What they are checking: Whether they know that a lost or mislabeled specimen can harm a patient's diagnosis.

What does point-of-use cleaning of instruments involve and why is it done right away?

What they are checking: Whether they know that dried bioburden makes instruments harder to sterilize properly later.

How do you help position and transport a patient safely before surgery?

What they are checking: Whether they understand pressure points, safety straps and teamwork in moving a sedated patient.