Surgical technicians, sometimes called operating room technicians, are vital surgical team members. They work alongside nurses and surgeons to make sure everything runs smoothly during the surgery.
They assist during the operation and contribute to preoperative and postoperative procedures.
The crucial tasks they complete before surgery include sterilization of the operating room and equipment and preparing the patient for the operation.
During the surgery, they are in charge of keeping the room sterile, assisting the surgeon by passing the proper surgical tools, and helping retract tissue from the patient.
After the surgery, a surgical technician ensures that the operating room remains sterile until they move the patient. They count all the tools utilized during the surgery, dispose of necessary equipment such as needles, and dress the surgical sites on the patient.
The work requires an alert mind and the ability to stand for hours on end under warm lights in an operating room. Employers are looking for detail-oriented individuals when hiring a surgical tech.
Missing details about sterilization can be costly and dangerous. Surgical techs also need higher education from a certificate program with training.
If you are preparing for an upcoming interview, you’ve come to the right place.
We have the most common surgical tech interview questions to help you prepare, land the job of your dreams, and start saving lives.
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Surgical Tech Interview Questions and Answers
1. Describe our qualifying credentials for this position
Your interviewer wants a highly qualified individual for the role of a surgical technician. Anyone who applies will have a degree in surgical technology, but they may be looking for other credentials.
Include any certification programs or medical work experience that might set you apart from the other applicants.
Example answer:
I completed a degree program in surgical technology from The College of Health Care Professionals. After finishing the program, I interned at a local hospital to gain relevant experience.
Since the internship, I have worked as a surgical technician in operating rooms for three years.
2. How do you prepare the operating room for surgery?
One of the key jobs of a surgical technician is to prepare the operating room.
When an interviewer asks you that question, they want to gauge your understanding of the preparation procedure and attention to detail.
Example answer:
I prepare the operating room first by sterilizing equipment and the area.
Once the room is sterile, I gather, count, and arrange the necessary surgical tools.
3. Describe a mistake you’ve made during a surgery
An employer may ask this question to gauge any possible weaknesses and quick problem-solving abilities.
Example answer:
During my first surgery, my stress levels were high and caused me to move quickly and clumsily.
It affected the whole staff working, so the surgeon sent me out and replaced me with another surgical tech. Afterward, I asked other surgical techs how they cope with the stress of high-stakes surgeries.
They taught me how to handle the pressure in the operating room. I learned that if I focus on my responsibilities instead of the results, I respond better.
4. What do you do after discovering an infectious disease during surgery?
This question assesses a candidate’s knowledge of protocol and ability to think quickly on the job. They want to ensure that you understand the scenario’s importance and know how to work as a team to solve the problem.
Be sure to mention if you have encountered this problem before, whether with TB or other infectious diseases, and how you responded.
Example answer:
The first step is to quarantine all the infected medical staff in the operating room and to call the CDC.
If it is safe and possible, we will continue the surgery and move the patient to a protected hospital area for post-op.
Everyone present will get tested for the disease before being allowed to leave the room or interact with anyone else.
5. What are surgical technicians’ most vital responsibilities?
This question allows you to show your deep understanding of the position. Your interviewer knows the stakes of the job, and they will use this question to gauge your professionalism and experience.
Example answer:
Every aspect of a surgical technician’s responsibilities is vital.
From preparing the patients to sterilizing the site and passing the correct instruments to the surgeon.
Staying vigilant is necessary for any surgical technician to ensure the procedure goes smoothly.
How to Prepare for Surgical Technician Interview Questions?
A successful interview starts with preparation. Follow these helpful tips to prepare yourself:
Talk to your mentors:
Talk with instructors or mentors who have previously worked as surgical techs. They can provide you with more resources for preparation.
Interacting with someone from the institution where you received surgical tech training could also help you write your resume.
Review the job application again:
Find out what specific attributes the hospital is seeking in a surgical tech. This action will help you tailor your responses better.
Update your resume:
Ensure that only the most relevant and recent information is on your resume.
Remember that your interviewer doesn’t want your life story – they want to know how you can succeed as a surgical technician.
Know important information about the hospital:
Show that you have done your research. Often, an interviewer wants to know why you want to work with them. Knowing specifics about the hospital can help set you apart.
Practice common surgical tech interview questions:
Check out common questions and find different ways to answer them.
Come up with your questions:
Don’t shy away from asking your interviewer a few questions of your own. By asking questions, you will show your interest in the position.
Surgical Tech Interview Questions and Answers PDF
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Conclusion: Interview Questions for Surgical Tech
Surgical technicians have important jobs that deal with life-or-death stakes.
An interviewer will look for the most detail-oriented and experienced individual for the position.
While you can never know the exact questions an interviewer will ask, you can help showcase your best attributes by preparing in advance with practice surgical tech interview questions.
Good luck with your upcoming interview!
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