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Surgical Technologist Extern - PRN

HSHS · Springfield, IL · $22.05–$33.08 an hour · Part time

Posted Sep 28, 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

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

What they are checking: An honest picture of their skill level so the team can supervise them well.

How do you take feedback from a tech or nurse who corrects you in front of the team?

What they are checking: Coachability, since this role works under direct supervision of techs and RNs.

How will you balance school with PRN shifts at St. John's?

What they are checking: Time management and reliability while still a student.

Tell me about a time you had to learn something hard quickly.

What they are checking: Learning ability, which drives how fast they grow as an extern.

What do you hope to get out of this externship, and where do you see yourself after graduation?

What they are checking: Whether they see the extern role as a path to a job here, which is its purpose.

What would you do

You think you may have touched something non-sterile, but nobody saw it. What do you do?

What they are checking: Honesty about contamination, which matters more than looking competent.

A surgeon asks for an instrument you don't recognize. What do you do?

What they are checking: Willingness to ask for help quickly instead of guessing.

About the work

What does maintaining a sterile field mean to you, in your own words?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the basics deeply, not just as a memorized rule.

Walk me through how you would do a surgical count with your preceptor.

What they are checking: Understanding of count steps that prevent retained items.

How do you prepare for a case the night before?

What they are checking: Initiative in studying the procedure and preference card to come in ready.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by HSHS.

Pay Range: $22.05 - $33.08 A successful candidate's actual pay rate will be based on several factors including relevant experience, skills, training, certifications and education. The Surgical Technologist Extern - PRN provides clinical services related to the perioperative care of the surgical patient to meet the needs of patients, families and significant others. Customizes care for the unique needs of each patient and their surgical procedure, the surgeon's preferences and the care setting. This care is provided under the direct supervision of Surgical Technologists and RNs. The Surgical Technologist Extern role is a temporary position designed to facilitate the transition from student to graduate which is mutually beneficial to the student and organization. Position Specifics: o Department: Surgery o Core Function: Surgical Tech o Schedule: PRN, As Needed o Facility: Springfield - St. John's Hospital o Clinic Location: Springfield, IL o Compensation that aligns with your experience Education Qualifications • High School Diploma or equivalent is required. • Currently enrolled in a recognized surgical technology program. Experience Qualifications • N/A Certifications, Licenses and Registrations • Basic Life Support (BLS) is required. Job Description Scheduled Weekly Hours: 0 Throughout communities in Illinois and Wisconsin, 13 hospitals, numerous community-based health centers and clinics, our 13,000+ colleagues have built a culture based on our solid core values of respect, care, competence, and joy. These are the ideals we believe in, work by, and live each day. Built upon more than 145 years of service to the communities we serve, we now look to the future and our place in it as a healthcare system that strives to continually improve processes, procedures, and outcomes with the latest and most advanced technologies and treatments. Regardless of how far our passion for excellence carries us, our focus will always remain on the most important person in our entire organization: The patient. Benefits: HSHS provides a benefits package designed to support the overall well-being of our colleagues including their physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, and work health. Colleagues budgeted to work at least 32 hours per pay period are eligible for HSHS benefits. • Comprehensive and affordable health coverage includes medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time colleagues. • Paid Time Off (PTO) combines vacation, sick, and personal days into one balance to allow you the flexibility to use your time off as you need. • Retirement benefits including HSHS contributions. • Education Assistance benefits include up to $5,250 of educational assistance each calendar year and tuition discounts to select colleges with no waiting period. • Adoption Assistance provides financial support up to $7,500 for colleagues growing their families through adoption to reimburse application and legal fees, transportation, and more! • Other benefits include: Wellness program with incentives, employer-paid life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, ID theft coverage, colleague rewards and recognition program, discount program, and more! Benefits HSHS and affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). HSHS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce. Notice Regarding Potential Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process Hospital Sisters may use automated tools, including artificial intelligence or machine-learning technologies, to assist with certain administrative aspects of the recruitment process. These tools may help our recruiting team organize applications, search for resumes, identify qualifications reflected in application materials, and facilitate communications or scheduling with applicants. Information used by these tools may include materials you provide during the application process, such as your resume, work history, education, qualifications, and responses to application questions. These tools are used only to support our recruiting process. Hiring decisions are made by HSHS personnel, and automated tools do not make employment decisions on behalf of HSHS. Applicants who have questions about this notice or who require a reasonable accommodation or alternative evaluation method may contact HSHS Human Resources at Contact@hshs.org

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