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Surgical Technologist I - General

Advocate Health · West Allis, WI · $26.55–$39.85 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 22, 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

Tell me about a time you anticipated what a surgeon needed before they asked.

What they are checking: Whether they follow the procedure closely enough to stay a step ahead of the surgeon.

Tell me about a conflict you had with someone on a surgical team and how it was resolved.

What they are checking: Whether they can keep working relationships healthy in a high-pressure, close-quarters setting.

You'll work three 12-hour shifts and take weeknight, weekend and holiday call. How do you stay sharp late in a long day?

What they are checking: Whether they have habits that keep their attention steady when fatigue sets in.

What would you do

You notice you've contaminated your glove during a case and no one else saw. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether their surgical conscience holds when no one is watching, which is the core of sterile practice.

A case turns from laparoscopic to open unexpectedly. What do you do in the next few minutes?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm and organized when the plan changes suddenly mid-case.

About the work

Walk me through how you set up your back table and Mayo stand for a general surgery case.

What they are checking: Whether they have an organized, consistent setup that lets them hand instruments without hesitation.

West Allis does more than 500 robotic cases a year. What experience do you have with robotic surgery, and how would you handle docking and instrument changes?

What they are checking: Whether they can work on robotic cases or are ready to learn them, since this is a big part of the volume.

Explain your process for counts. What do you do if a count is off at closing?

What they are checking: Whether they follow count procedure strictly and stop the closing until a retained item is ruled out.

How do you handle specimens on the field so nothing is lost or mislabeled?

What they are checking: Whether they protect specimen integrity, since a mislabeled specimen can lead to a wrong diagnosis.

How do you check that instruments coming from sterile processing are ready to use?

What they are checking: Whether they verify indicators, tray integrity and function instead of assuming every tray is good.

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.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 37703 Aurora West Allis Medical Center - Surgery Room Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 40 Schedule Details/Additional Information: **$10,000 SIGN-ON Bonus Eligible with distance based relocation available* * What makes our team special? • Aurora West Allis Medical Center is regionally recognized for a variety of services, including cancer care, gastroenterology, geriatrics, gynecology, neurology, pulmonology and urology. • Over 500 robotic surgeries annually in urology, gynecology and general surgery with 19 physicians • You will have the opportunity to join a team that is dedicated to moving healthcare forward! With our wide range of procedures, leading benefits, and opportunities for learning and advancement, you’ll not only fulfill that passion, you will thrive and grow every day. • We each have a voice, and we’re empowered to use it to innovate and change the future of health care for our patients, our communities and each other. Join our team of 75,000 individuals, with one shared purpose: we help people live well. Schedule/Hours: 0630-1500 M-F, also includes a weeknight, weekend and holiday rotation Pay Range: $26.55 - $39.85 Major Responsibilities: • Provides for a clean, safe and efficient area conducive to optimal patient care. Utilizes aseptic surgical techniques in the preparation of materials, supplies and equipment for surgical procedures (e.g., assistance with gowning and gloving; preparation and draping of the surgical area; provision of a sterile field, instruments, suture and related materials; anticipation of the Surgeons' needs; passing of instruments and/or supplies; holding of retractors, observing and reporting possible breaks in aseptic technique; and assisting in maintaining a sterile, dry, unobstructed field). • Performs all types of procedures and maintains basic knowledge of a variety of procedures. • Ensures the environmental disinfection, safety and efficiency of the operating room. This includes setting up the room for each case including moving equipment (i.e., tables, cameras, microscopes, fracture table, and instrument pans), operating the various types of equipment used during operating room procedures, and returning equipment post procedure. • Functions as a Second Assistant as necessary. • Notifies appropriate staff of equipment and supply problems. • Transports patients and/or equipment and supplies. • Maintains a specialty cart or item, ensuring its completeness and availability. This includes checking the working condition of equipment, sterility, and sending damaged items out for repair. • Performs various patient positioning and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique. • Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards. Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required: • Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required. Education Required: • Completion of an accredited or approved program in Surgical Technology. Experience Required: • No experience required. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • Knowledge of aseptic surgical techniques used in the preparation of materials, supplies and equipment for various surgical procedures. • Knowledge of various types of equipment used in the operating room. • Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. • Basic computer proficiency. • Certification Addendum • Team members will maintain annual educational requirements for hospital based certifications (e.g. DNV, CARF or others). Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: • Must be able to withstand a very stressful and fast-paced environment. • Must be able to: • lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist. • lift up to 20 lbs. over the head. • carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance. • Must be able to: • push/pull with 30 lbs. of force. • perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present. • Required to use foot pedals on carts or machines. • Exposed to the following hazards on a continuous basis: mechanical, electrical, chemical, radiation, blood and body fluids. • Must have functional sight and hearing. • Required to wear masks, gloves, goggles, and gowns. • Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above shoulders and twist frequently during work shift. • Must be able to operate all equipment essential to performing the duties of the job. 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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