Top 7 Surgical Tech Interview Questions to Ask

Surgical technologists assist the entire surgical team during an operation, facilitating the maintenance of a safe and sterile environment. They juggle many tasks throughout their shifts, such as draping patients, sterilizing rooms, and handing the surgeon instruments. This is a fast-paced role in a high-stress environment, so it’s important to ask the right surgical tech interview questions to hire someone who can handle these pressures.

To help you find the best person for your team, we’ll outline seven key interview questions for surgical techs and what to listen for in your candidate’s answers. We’ve also included a candidate evaluation form below to help you organize your interview notes.

Want to make sure you’re interviewing the right candidates? Start off your process by preparing a targeted job description that will catch the eye of qualified candidates. If you’d like to get a better handle on the hiring market, explore what qualities other facilities are looking for in their surgical tech job openings.

Surgical Technologist Interview Questions

Surgical techs oversee many different aspects of the operating room, so they must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and communicative. The following interview questions will help you assess these essential qualities in your candidates.

1. What inspired you to become a surgical tech?

This is one of the best surgical tech interview questions to start with because it allows the candidate to share how their personal experiences led to this role. Every member of the surgical team must diligently uphold their duties to keep patients safe, so it’s important to assess whether candidates are pursuing this path for the right reasons.

What to listen for:

• Genuine interest in the surgical environment and organizational aspects of the role
• Passion for keeping patients safe and supporting optimal outcomes

Potential follow-up questions:

• Can you describe how your certifications have prepared you for this role?

• What qualities do you think a good surgical tech should have?

2. How does the role of the first scrub support the work of the rest of the surgical team?

Surgical techs must understand how each role of the surgical team complements one another. The first scrub is a vital position that a surgical tech will either be working closely with, or taking on themselves. That’s why it’s so important that surgical tech interview questions (and answers demonstrating a solid understanding) cover what this role entails.

What to listen for:

• Understanding of how tasks should be coordinated with the first scrub
• Knowledge of how different roles complement each other in the operating room

Potential follow-up questions:

• What’s the most important skill for a surgical technician to have?

• How do you coordinate your care with the scrub nurse and circulating nurse?

3. How do you prepare yourself for long hours in the operating room?

Surgical procedures can last several hours, often requiring surgical techs to be on their feet for long periods of time. This question allows you to assess how prepared a candidate is to face these types of working conditions.

What to listen for:

• Self-care practices that help mentally and physically prepare candidates for long hours
• Patience and understanding of the unpredictable nature of the operating room

Potential follow-up questions:

• Walk me through your process of preparing a room before a surgery.
• How do you keep yourself calm and focused when the operating room gets hectic?

4. What steps do you take to maintain a sterile environment?

One of the primary duties of the surgical tech is to maintain a sterile environment, as this is crucial for preventing infection and keeps patients safe. This question assesses a candidate’s knowledge on sterile techniques and their commitment to upholding a culture of safety.

What to listen for:

• Knowledge of evidence-based techniques that prevent contamination
• Thorough and detail-oriented approach to complying with all necessary protocols

Potential follow-up questions:

• Walk me through how you would perform a surgical scrub.
• Explain why it’s important for the entire surgical team to wear PPE.

5. What would you do if the surgeon requested an instrument that wasn’t readily available?

Even when the entire surgical team does their best to prepare the room for surgery, things can sometimes be missed, or certain supplies may be temporarily unavailable. A good surgical tech will understand that these situations can happen and know how to communicate accordingly.

What to listen for:

• Understanding of how to speak directly, openly, and honestly with the surgeon
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and relay issues down the chain of command

Potential follow-up questions:

• How do you account for the surgeon’s needs before and during a procedure?
• What steps do you take to check on other team members’ needs during a surgery?

6. Tell me about a time that you had to resolve a disagreement with another team member.

Surgical techs work closely with their team members every day. It’s not uncommon for teams to run into disagreements, but it’s important to know how to handle them professionally to stay on task. Asking surgical tech interview questions like this will allow you to evaluate how a candidate applies their interpersonal skills in more difficult situations.

What to listen for:

• Ability to listen to others and remain open to conflicting opinions
• Understanding of how to communicate both assertively and respectfully

Potential follow-up questions:

• Can you give me an example of a high-stress situation you’ve experienced in the OR and how you handled it?
• How do you handle working with surgeons who have different styles of communication?

7. What would you do if you discovered a patient had an infectious disease during a surgery?

Surgical techs must be familiar with all infection prevention protocols, including those that should be implemented during crisis situations. This question assesses a candidate’s knowledge of these protocols and their confidence in executing correct procedures.

What to listen for:

• Ability to remain calm and collected when dealing with crisis situations
• Ability to think of and implement appropriate protocols in a timely manner

Potential follow-up questions:

• What measures do you take to safely dispose of hazardous waste after a procedure?
• How do you safely clean up medical equipment and supplies after a procedure?

Find the Best Candidates to Round Out Your Surgical Team

Now that you have a list of targeted surgical tech interview questions, it’s time to find qualified candidates to interview. Need help with your search? Post to IntelyCare’s job board today and get access to over 1 million healthcare professionals who are actively seeking their next roles.