JobsAdvocate Health

Surgical Technician - FT40 Days w/call

Advocate Health · Chicago, IL

Posted Sep 7, 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 you caught a break in sterile technique, yours or someone else's, during a procedure. What did you do?

honesty and vigilance around contamination, and whether they act immediately rather than let it slide

Tell me about the last time you were on call and got pulled in for an emergency case in the middle of the night. How did you get yourself ready to perform at full level?

reliability and readiness for the on-call demands built into this schedule

What's your experience precepting or mentoring newer techs or students in the scrub role?

whether they can teach and share expertise, since this role expects them to serve as preceptor

Tell me about a time a patient or their family had a complaint or concern that touched your part of the case. How did you handle it in the moment?

service recovery instincts and treating patients with dignity even in a procedural, high-stress setting

Describe a time you had to cross-train into a function outside your usual role to help the unit stay covered. How did that go?

flexibility and willingness to support staffing needs, which the posting explicitly asks for

Technical

Walk me through how you set up a sterile field for a case from the moment you get the physician preference card to the first incision.

whether the candidate has a real, ordered workflow rather than a vague description of scrubbing in

How do you handle counts on instruments and sponges, and what do you do if a count doesn't reconcile at closing?

knowledge of patient safety protocol and willingness to hold up a case rather than let a discrepancy slide

How do you decide what to open for a case versus what to hold back, and how does that connect to cost and waste?

understanding of supply utilization and cost containment responsibilities named in the posting

What's your current certification status as a Surgical Technologist, and how do you stay on top of your CEUs each year?

basic compliance and whether they take ongoing competency seriously rather than treating it as an afterthought

Situational

Say the surgeon asks for an instrument that isn't on the preference card and isn't in the room. What do you do in that moment without stopping the case cold?

composure and problem-solving under time pressure in a live OR

A surgeon is visibly frustrated during a case and starts snapping at the team. How do you keep doing your job well while that's happening?

emotional regulation and ability to stay task-focused in a high-stress, hierarchical environment

If you noticed something during turnover that could put the next patient at risk, but fixing it properly would slow the room down, what would you do?

whether safety wins over pressure to keep the schedule moving

Practice this interview out loud.

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

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 37703 Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center - Surgery Room Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 40 Schedule Details/Additional Information: 0700-1700 Monday to Friday. Call shift required Pay Range: $28.55 - $42.85 Major Responsibilities: • Demonstrates customer satisfaction skills within the department and hospital as defined by the Advocate’s System’s goals. •     1) Utilizes Advocate IMMC’s MVP and service excellence expectations •     2) Serves as patient advocate to ensure that patients and customers needs are met in a timely and efficient manner and individualizes each patient’s plan of care. •     3) Resolves patients and customers concerns immediately using the defined service recovery process •     4) Utilizes appropriate referrals and chain of command to resolve ongoing patient customer’s complaints (such as patient’s grievance process •     5) Maintains positive relationships with all customers e.g., patients, significant others, physician, and associates •     6)Review Patient Satisfaction data and participates in development of the team’s action plan for improvement in satisfaction • To assist in providing quality patient care in a manner which is patient-focused, technically appropriate, and cost effective. The Surgical Technologist (ST) works under the direct supervision of a registered nurse in accordance with the Standards of Practice and within the guidelines of the Illinois Nurse Practice Act. The ST is responsible for establishing and maintaining a sterile field, a safe patient care environment, and appropriate supplies/equipment as required for the operative procedure. The ST functions as a cooperative health care team member in a critical care environment treating the patient in a holistic manner with dignity and respect. •     1) Performs duties in the scrub role as assigned: Completely prepares sterile field in a timely manner. Complies with departmental policy and procedures regarding specimens, counts, and disposition of contaminated instruments. Maintains sterile field and boundaries prior to and during procedure. Acts as preceptor, sharing knowledge in a supportive/educational manner. Maintains on-call availability. Assists in emergency situations as assigned. Maintains a safe work environment according to regulatory agency standards. Maintains education records and timecard. Maintains competencies. •     2)Responsible for the preparation of the surgical field and supplies/instruments delivered to the field: Verifies instrument/supply/equipment available and ready per physician preference card. Verifies specific needs of physician by completely reading scrub tips. Assists in opening sterile supplies and instruments. Assists with clean up and turnover upon completion of case. Efficiently utilized supplies to avoid waste and decrease costs. •     3)Responsible for maintenance of professional growth: Demonstrates self-direction in maintaining professional skills. Independently completes assignments/projects. Participates in unit/hospital committees and projects •     4)In collaboration with health care team, assists in providing for a cooperative work environment: Assists with maintaining goals of Surgical Services and Advocate. Shares clinical and professional knowledge in a supportive/educational manner. Demonstrates self-direction in utilizing work time appropriately. Accepts and completes team responsibilities as assigned. •     5)Responsible for compliance with hospital policies and procedures: Maintains patient confidentiality. Utilizes guest relation techniques with members of health care team and patients. Performs other related duties as assigned. • Establishment and achievement of self-development objectives and continued advancement of the practice team. •     1) Assesses own learning needs. Seeks appropriate training and development. Sets own objectives and goals. • Attends to personal work schedule in a consistent and professional manner • Demonstrates self direction by identifying learning needs and establishing self development activities • Completes all developmental goals and departmental inservices and competencies within timeframe established • Attends and participates in departmental meetings • Identifies problems and takes steps toward resolution, including crisis management strategies in collaboration with the OR Team. • Participates in the education process of other team members and visitors in areas of expertise by serving in the role of scrub mentor. • Demonstrates teaching strategies with other health care members •     2) Maintains and supports Accrediting Organization requirements in regards to competencies. (i.e., CPR certification, safety and infection control, current licensure, hospital/unit based certification standards •     3) Demonstrates appropriate technical skills for clinical competency •     4) As competence is demonstrated, may be asked to train new Associates to unit functions and responsibilities •     5) Participates in hospital committees and projects •     6) Participates in development of other team member’s technical and interpersonal skills to improve patient care. •     7)Serves as a mentor to other staff related to clinical issues. Readily shares knowledge and experience concerning surgical procedures. •     8)Participates in the education of others in the Operating Room by serving in the role of preceptor for areas of expertise •     9)Promotes patient safety by reporting of issues through established channels and participating as requested in safety initiatives •     10)Maintains certification, Maintains 10 CEU's annually. • Participates in an environment within the practice team that supports management philosophy, IMMC strategic plans and Advocate Healthcare strategies. •     1) Foster and environment where IMMC values can flourish: • Compassion - Care of the whole person • Equality - Everyone is respected • Excellence - Empowered to improve • Partnership - Pooling of talents as a team • Stewardship - Sensible use of resources •     2)b. Participates with other Associates to create a cooperative team environment. •     3)c. Actively participates in unit meetings. Provides positive suggestions for improvement of nursing services. •     4)d. Communicates and collaborates effectively with physicians, nurses, directors and other healthcare members to assure delivery of quality care in a high stress environment. •     5)e. Participates in implementing planned changes and activities to improve nurseing services, the working environment or patient care. •     6)f. Holds self and others accountable for clinical practice and customer service initiatives. •     7)g. Actively participates in recognition efforts of team and hospital. • Contributes to the surgical services, department and hospital innovation efforts to maximize excellence and build respect for services •     1)Submits improvement ideas for IMMC and its services and participates in the implementation process •     2) Identifies improvement ideas within scope of responsibility, and assumes accountability for implementation and communication of plans and results •     3) Participates in unit innovation opportunities and strategies. •     4) Utilizes creative measures to optimize customer satisfaction. • Participates in the implementation of strategies to increase productivity •     1) Cross train to other unit functions and units as necessary to achieve optimal flexibility. •     2) Ensures appropriate staffing coverage for subsequent shifts. •     3) Suggest productivity improvement ideas •     4) Flexible in meeting the staffing requirements of the practice and unit. • Contributes to cost containment and business growth initiatives of the unit/department •     1) Responsible for efficient utilization of all resources within scope of practice •     2) Communicates inventory needs adjustments to Nurse Manager •     3)Participates in cost containment practice strategies Education/Experience Required: • High school graduate or GED Completion of CST program or equivalent experience Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • Good communication skills Ability to independently perform scrub duties • Certification as a Surgical Technician Physicial Requirements and Working Conditions: • • May be exposed to hazardous materials and life-threatening disease and radiation • This position needs to recognize needs and behaviors of specific age groups of patients treated. • Ability to perform heavy lifting (lifting 50 to 100 pounds occasionally and/or 25 or 50 pounds frequently and/or lifting 10 to 20 pounds constantly.) • Ability to cooperate and work well with others • Ability to communicate with mask on and not facing others • Ability to work in a fast paced environment with established time constraints. • Ability to work designated shifts including weekends and holidays • Ability to assume on-call responsibility • If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 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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