Surgical Technologist Mock Interview

Practice 30 Surgical Technologist interview questions covering sterile technique, instrumentation, and OR protocols.

Question 9 of 30

How quickly do you make decisions? Give me an example.

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Example Answer
Community Answers

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.

The interviewer asks about your ability to make timely decisions to assess your critical thinking skills, your ability to handle pressure, and your level of experience in making quick decisions in high-stress situations. As a surgical tech, you may be required to make quick and accurate decisions that can impact the outcome of a surgical procedure, so your ability to handle pressure and make prompt decisions is highly valued by employers. Additionally, providing a recent example with feedback from your supervisor or manager can demonstrate your expertise and experience in making timely decisions.

Krista Wenz

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.

"I make decisions very quickly and am good at thinking on my feet. Last month during a standard procedure, we had a critical piece of equipment fail. I asked permission to leave the OR and quickly located another machine. The doctor was happy that rather than panicking or trying to make the faulty equipment work, I sprung into action to create an immediate resolution."

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Anonymous Answer

I had more than 350 hours of clinical practice in different hospitals, and one day I had a hernia repair, and the procedure was beginning, when the suction machine was broken, I asked permission to leave the room and located another machine. The doctor was happy with my action that created an immediate resolution.

Marcie's Feedback

Great! It sounds like you quickly recognized the problem and proactively moved forward in finding a solution, which the doctor appreciated. This is a good example to include in your answer!

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30Surgical Technologist Interview Questions & Answers

Adaptability

1.What major challenges and problems did you face at your last position?

Compatibility

2.What is your greatest strength?

Tough

3.What is your greatest weakness?

Job Satisfaction

4.What do you like about your current job?

Direct

5.Why do you want to leave your current employer?

Performance Based

6.What have your achievements been to date?

Diligence

7.What do you know about our organization?

Accomplishment

8.Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of.

Critical Thinking

9.How quickly do you make decisions? Give me an example.

Teamwork

10.What have you done in past situations to contribute toward a teamwork environment?

Scenario Based

11.Give an example of a time when you made a mistake because you did not listen well to what someone had to say.

Discovery

12.Why are you the best surgical technologist for us?

Role-Specific

13.As a surgical technologist, what do you believe is your best asset?

Behavioral

14.Everyone has to bend or break the rules sometimes. Give me an example when you had to do so.

Situational

15.What do you feel is the most important skill a surgical technologist should possess?

Capability

16.Can you handle the sights of surgery? How can you be sure?

Operational

17.Have you ever held a position where you had to stand for more than five hours straight?

Problem Solving

18.Tell me about a time when you made an error during surgery.

Experience

19.What type of surgeries did you primarily assist with during your previous or current employer?

Organizational

20.Why do you want to work for our medical center?

Entry Level

21.What do you know about our medical center?

Discovery

22.What inspired you to become a surgical technologist?

Role-Specific

23. How do you ensure that the operating room equipment and instruments are properly sterilized and maintained?

Situational

24.Can you give an example of a time when you had to handle an emergency situation in the operating room? How did you respond and what was the outcome?

Performance Based

25.Can you describe a time when you had to adapt to a new surgical procedure or technology, and how did you ensure that you were fully prepared to assist the surgeon?

Creative Thinking

26.How do you prioritize tasks and responsibilities in a fast-paced surgical environment, and what strategies do you use to stay organized and efficient?

Discovery

27.What is your favorite surgery to assist with and why?

Diligence

28.How do you stay current with advancements in surgical technology and techniques?

Career Goals

29.What are your five-year professional goals?

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Surgical Technologist Mock Interview

How quickly do you make decisions? Give me an example.

30Surgical Technologist Interview Questions & Answers

1.What major challenges and problems did you face at your last position?

2.What is your greatest strength?

3.What is your greatest weakness?

4.What do you like about your current job?

5.Why do you want to leave your current employer?

6.What have your achievements been to date?

7.What do you know about our organization?

8.Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of.

9.How quickly do you make decisions? Give me an example.

10.What have you done in past situations to contribute toward a teamwork environment?

11.Give an example of a time when you made a mistake because you did not listen well to what someone had to say.

12.Why are you the best surgical technologist for us?

13.As a surgical technologist, what do you believe is your best asset?

14.Everyone has to bend or break the rules sometimes. Give me an example when you had to do so.

15.What do you feel is the most important skill a surgical technologist should possess?

16.Can you handle the sights of surgery? How can you be sure?

17.Have you ever held a position where you had to stand for more than five hours straight?

18.Tell me about a time when you made an error during surgery.

19.What type of surgeries did you primarily assist with during your previous or current employer?

20.Why do you want to work for our medical center?

21.What do you know about our medical center?

22.What inspired you to become a surgical technologist?

23. How do you ensure that the operating room equipment and instruments are properly sterilized and maintained?

24.Can you give an example of a time when you had to handle an emergency situation in the operating room? How did you respond and what was the outcome?

25.Can you describe a time when you had to adapt to a new surgical procedure or technology, and how did you ensure that you were fully prepared to assist the surgeon?

26.How do you prioritize tasks and responsibilities in a fast-paced surgical environment, and what strategies do you use to stay organized and efficient?

27.What is your favorite surgery to assist with and why?

28.How do you stay current with advancements in surgical technology and techniques?

29.What are your five-year professional goals?

30.Do you have any questions about our facility or the position?