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Most Common Surgical Technician Interview Questions (And How to Answer Them)

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CATEGORIES Healthcare Techs

Surgical techs play a vital role in the operating room, ensuring things run safely and smoothly from start to finish. When interviewing potential candidates, employers want to know that you have the skills, expertise, and confidence required to effectively manage surgical procedures, even in high-pressure environments like operating rooms. 

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of common surgical tech interview questions for 2025, plus tips on how to answer them. Studying these questions and practicing your answers can make all the difference when it comes to landing your next dream job as a surgical tech. 

Tip: Check out our Healthcare Tech Interview Guide for even more essential questions techs of all kinds are likely to be asked, as well as details on how to prepare for your next tech interview—from how to structure your responses to what questions you should ask your interviewer.

 
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1. Tell me about your surgical experience and any specialties you may have.

Surgery is a broad field, and employers want to know that your experience aligns with the types of procedures they perform at their facility.

How to answer: Be thorough, yet concise. Share the types of facilities you’ve worked in, the types of procedures you’ve assisted with, and the roles you’ve played in the operating room. Don’t forget to highlight your relevant education and certifications, and finish by describing what you’re looking for in your next role and why you’re excited about this opportunity.

2. Why did you choose to become a surgical technician?

Your reason for choosing to specialize in surgery tells the interviewer a lot about you and your motivations as a candidate.

How to answer: Your answer should tell the interviewer something unique about you. Share a personal story or experience that led you to choose this career. Mention specific aspects of the role that you enjoy or find fulfilling. Bonus points for tying it back to the facility’s mission or values.

3. What qualities do you think make a successful surgical technician and how do you embody those qualities?

This question helps your interviewer understand what soft skills you bring to the role and how you will fit into the culture of the team.

How to answer: Share 3 qualities that you possess and describe how they help you succeed in the operating room. Choose qualities that highlight different aspects of the job, for example: 
  • Attention to detail: Helps you maintain a sterile environment and practice proper technique
  • Strong communication skills: Helps you keep the surgical team collaborating smoothly
  • Adaptability: Helps you quickly adjust to the fast-paced operating room environment

4. How do you stay up to date with advancements in surgical technology?

The field of surgical technology is constantly evolving, and employers want to hire surgical techs that demonstrate the initiative needed to learn about and implement new technologies and best practices.

How to answer: Before the interview, research medical journals, articles, or studies in your field and choose a recent one to describe. You can also mention conferences you’ve attended or top surgeons you follow in the field, and how you incorporate those learnings to improve your work.

5. Describe a time when you were faced with an emergency or complication during surgery and how you handled it.

This question helps interviewers understand your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt quickly in a high-pressure operating room—essential skills for any surgical tech.

How to answer: Share a specific example from your experience. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe the emergency situation, how you identified it and addressed it, and the outcome. Be sure to include details about how you communicated effectively with the surgical team.

6. How do you ensure effective communication with the surgical team during a procedure?

This question tells the interviewer how you view your role on a surgical team, and how you collaborate with surgeons and other healthcare professionals to achieve the best patient outcomes.

How to answer: If possible, provide a specific example of a time when you used communication skills to prevent or resolve a problem in the operating room. Be sure to highlight your adaptability to different working styles and team dynamics.

7. Walk me through the steps you take to prepare the operating room and equipment for surgery.

This question indicates your level of technical expertise, as well as your adherence to sterile techniques and surgical best practices.

How to answer: Walk the interviewer through each step of your process as if you were in the operating room. Be sure to talk about each aspect of preparing the operating room, including the equipment and the patient.

8. Describe a time you made a mistake in the operating room and how you went about correcting it.

Mistakes happen. Interviewers simply want to know that you can own your mistakes—and learn from them.

How to answer: Be honest about where you went wrong, how you fixed it, and most importantly, what you learned from the experience. Avoid saying you’ve never made a mistake—instead, share detailed steps that you would take to correct a hypothetical mistake.

9. Describe a time when you had to multitask in the operating room. How did you prioritize tasks?

Surgical techs must be able to multitask and prioritize under pressure. This question tells the interviewer how you solve problems when faced with competing priorities.

How to answer: Give a specific example using the STAR method to describe the tasks at hand and how you went about determining priority. Share how you stayed organized, communicated with the team, and delegated responsibilities (if applicable).

10. How do you ensure the sterility of the operating room environment?

Following proper sterile technique is an essential responsibility for surgical techs. Your answer to this question showcases your technical skill and understanding of the surgical environment.

How to answer: Mention any relevant certification or training you’ve had. Then, walk the interviewer through key protocol in each step of the sterilization process, including before, during, and after a procedure. Be sure to emphasize why sterilization is essential for patient safety.

11. What would you do if you noticed a mistake in sterile technique during a procedure?

Employers want to know that you understand infection control protocol, and that you can react and respond quickly in the event of a mistake.

How to answer: Walk the interviewer through your process for identifying mistakes, either citing an example from your experience or a hypothetical. Explain how you identified and corrected the issue, and how you went about ensuring the mistake wouldn’t happen again.

12. What steps do you take to ensure a patient’s comfort and safety before, during, and after a procedure?

This question helps the interviewer gauge your bedside manner and your ability to effectively communicate with patients during what is typically a stressful and uncertain situation for them.

How to answer: Demonstrate empathy by acknowledging what the patient is likely feeling. Describe how you provide reassurance, communicate important information, and ensure proper positioning. Highlight how you balance providing a quality patient experience while upholding safety and sterility standards.

13. Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult or anxious patient or family member. How did you respond?

Inevitably, surgical techs will encounter difficult patients. This question highlights your ability to communicate with patients and family members in a way that’s both professional and compassionate.

How to answer: Describe the situation honestly, but diplomatically. Don’t speak ill of a patient or family member; instead, demonstrate empathy and share how you helped ease their concerns or deescalate the situation while ensuring the procedure runs smoothly.

Being prepared is the best way to feel confident in your next surgical tech interview. By reviewing these common questions and practicing your answers, you’ll showcase the confidence and skill required to ace the interview.

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