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Surgical Technologist Certified

SSM Health · WI · Full time

Posted Oct 5, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 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.

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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The full job description

As published by SSM Health.

It's more than a career, it's a calling WI-SSM Health Outpatient Center-Madison Worker Type: Regular Job Highlights: Join a team where your work matters - every moment, every patient, every community. At SSM Health, you'll be empowered to grow, supported to thrive, and inspired to make a lasting impact. Department: Surgery Schedule: 34 hours per week / Day Shift Sign-On Bonus: Ask your recruiter about sign-on bonus eligibility Apply today. SSM Health - We bring out the incredible in you, everyday. Job Summary: Responsible for the provision of patient care activities and related non-professional services necessary for the care of patients and the maintenance of the Operating Room under the direction of a Registered Nurse. Sets up Operating Room with needed items for patient care; gathers supplies, x-rays, instruments, etc., for cases; handles instruments during procedures. Communicates information to the RN regarding patients. Job Responsibilities and Requirements: PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES • Practices and implements the technical components of patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse. • Collaborates with the RN and other healthcare professionals. to implement a plan of care that incorporates physician preferences, nursing assessments and diagnostic data in a manner that is prioritized, timely, and integrated with the plan of care. • Prepares equipment, supply and resource needs based on an individualized plan of care. Re-evaluates and modifies resource needs as needed. • Communicates accurate and timely information to the Registered Nurse regarding patients in their care. • Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to perform all aspects of a variety of surgical procedures. Maintains knowledge and skills to properly operate all surgical equipment and instruments. Utilizes appropriate aseptic technique when handling supplies, instruments, and equipment. • Follows laboratory policy and procedure to correctly handle and label all laboratory specimens. • Documents quality controls thoroughly and accurately according to unit specific standards. • Demonstrates competence in problem solving, conflict resolution, and team building. Serves as a resource to other team members. • Organizes and utilizes time efficiently. Demonstrates appropriate prioritization. Maintains an organized work environment. • Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner. • Performs other duties as assigned. EDUCATION • Graduate of a technical program for operating room technicians EXPERIENCE • No experience required PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • Constant use of vision to judge distances and spatial relationships and to identify and distinguish colors. • Constant use of hearing to receive oral communication, distinguish body sounds and/or hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc. • Constant lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs. • Constant standing and walking. • Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs. • Frequent lifting/moving patients. • Frequent bending, stooping, reaching and gripping. • Frequent use of clear vision at 20 inches or less. • Frequent use of speech to share information through oral communication. • Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing over 50 lbs. • Occasional use of clear vision at 20 feet or more. • Occasional use of sitting, squatting, twisting and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements. • Occasional keyboard use/data entry. • Rare kneeling. REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS State of Work Location: Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) - National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) • Or • Tech in Surgery - Certified - National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) • Or • National Registered Surgical Technician (NRST) - American Allied Health Association (AAH) Work Shift: Day Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 6456790164 SCC Surgery Scheduled Weekly Hours: 34 SSM Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SSM Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Click here to learn more.

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