How quickly do you make decisions? Give me an example.
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.
"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."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
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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