Surgical Technologist Certified
Posted Oct 5, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 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.
About your past
The posting says you work under the direction of a registered nurse. How do you work with the circulator during a case?
What they are checking: Clear teamwork with the RN on supplies, specimens and counts, which keeps the room running safely.
Call here is at least one night a week plus every seventh weekend from Saturday morning to Monday morning. How have you managed call before?
What they are checking: Whether they can reliably take call and come in ready to work an emergency case at any hour.
What specialties are you most comfortable in, and which would you need to learn?
What they are checking: An honest picture of their skills so the team can plan training and case assignments.
What would you do
You notice a break in sterile technique during a case and no one else seems to have seen it. What do you do?
What they are checking: Whether they speak up immediately for patient safety, even when it slows the surgeon down.
A surgeon gets short with you during a difficult case. How do you respond?
What they are checking: Staying professional and focused under pressure without letting tension affect the work or patient safety.
About the work
Walk me through how you set up your back table and Mayo stand for a case you do often.
What they are checking: Organized, efficient setup that lets them hand the surgeon what they need without searching.
How do you do your counts, and what happens if the final count doesn't match?
What they are checking: Following count procedures strictly, since a retained item is a never event that harms patients.
How do you anticipate a surgeon's needs, especially one you've never worked with before?
What they are checking: Reading the case and preference card well enough to stay a step ahead and keep the procedure moving.
How do you handle specimens so nothing gets lost or mislabeled?
What they are checking: Careful specimen handling, since a lost or mislabeled specimen can change a patient's diagnosis.
How do you help turn over a room quickly between cases without cutting corners?
What they are checking: Balancing speed with cleaning and setup standards, since OR time matters but so does infection control.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by SSM Health.