Surgical Technician Interview Questions

"Scrubbing before and after surgery helps reduce the spread of germs and bacteria. The federal government requires us to wear PPE to minimize our exposure to biohazards that could jeopardize either our health or the patient's."

"While in the operating room, I sometimes practise deep-breathing techniques that allow me to stay relaxed during stressful situations while continuing to focus on my responsibilities. When not on the job, I make sure to take part in activities that help me lead a balanced life, such as practicing yoga and spending time with my family."

"After finishing a surgery, I help the rest of the surgical team dispose of materials used in the surgery. I also prepare surgical instruments for sanitation. These tasks are crucial for ensuring that the next surgery within the operating theatre goes as successfully as possible."

"A few times at my current job, the music playing in the OR made it challenging to communicate with other healthcare professionals. Outside of the OR, I pulled the surgeon aside privately and asked if we could set policies about OR music, such as specified decibel levels. The surgeon thanked me for the suggestion, discussed it with a hospital administrator, and within a week new policies were in place." 

"All of a surgical technician's responsibilities are important because we help ensure that patients remain safe while receiving medical care. Whether we're washing incision sites or applying sterile supplies afterward, each task is vital for supporting our patient's health."

"Once, while preparing an operating room, I realised we did not have enough protective gear for the team. I thought we should go get more prior to the surgery, but another surgical technician insisted we'd be fine with the PPE we had. I briefly emphasised the importance of adhering to both government regulations and internal policies. Then I quickly visited several other departments to gather the PPE we needed."

"After a surgery, I once noticed surgical tools piling up in the dirty section of sterile processing. Although my team hadn't known, half their department was out sick that week, and the remaining employees were struggling to keep up. I knew we had several surgeries the next day that needed those instruments, so I stayed late that night to help the sterile processing team clean surgical tools."

"Before a surgery, I make sure that I understand the type of surgery being performed. During the surgery, I pay close attention to the surgeon's verbal requests. If I notice the surgeon likely soon needs a surgical instrument, I have it ready in my hand prior to being asked."

"I've wanted to become a surgical technician ever since my father's surgery when I was a teenager. His surgical technician was so kind to us when providing updates on my father's condition and making sure we understood the medical jargon. When I feel stressed, I think about how I want to make that kind of difference for others."

"I really like your hospital's professional association specifically for surgical technicians. I believe that this association could help me specialise in reconstructive surgery, which is something I've wanted to do for years. I'm also excited about the opportunity to work at a world-renowned healthcare research facility."

"When an emergency happens during a surgery, I do my best to stay calm and assess the changed circumstances. If I'm able to help directly with the emergency without the surgeon's guidance, I take those actions. If I don't know how to or I'm not authorised to do a particular task, I point that situation out to someone else, such as a surgeon or more senior surgical technician, who can. I then ready myself to respond as quickly as possible to the surgeon's requests."

"Before surgery, I review a patient's charts and consent documents for accuracy. I also ask the patient if they understand the procedure and have questions. During the surgery, I watch a patient's vital signs. I also watch for bodily signals, such as if the patient suddenly becomes paler. After surgery, I continue monitoring the patient's vitals and bodily signs. In addition, I ask them how they feel and if they need anything."

"I've assisted with multiples types of surgeries, including appendectomies, mastectomies, bone fracture repairs, cardiac catheterizations, and tonsillectomies. As I've spent seven years as a surgical technician, I'm familiar not only with the more common surgeries but with learning about surgeries procedures I've yet to assist with."

"While in the operating theatre, I do my best to keep all my communications direct and concise. While I value communicating more thoroughly and kindly outside the operating room, I believe that it's our medical and ethical responsibility to minimize our conversation during surgeries. I also take care to listen closely to directions or requests from surgeons or other surgical technicians."

"While training to become a surgical technician, I observed several surgeries through virtual reality, or VR, cameras. I have since used this technology myself on several occasions to help new or in-training surgical technicians. VR surgical technology has made it far easier to train surgical technicians like myself while keeping the number of healthcare professionals physically inside the operating room to a minimum."