17 Surgical First Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

A surgical first assistant is a medical professional who works alongside a surgeon during an operation. Surgical first assistants are responsible for a variety of tasks, including holding retractors, providing hemostasis, and applying sutures. They also play a critical role in ensuring patient safety and comfort.

If you’re interested in becoming a surgical first assistant, you’ll need to complete a surgical first assistant program and pass a certification exam. Once you’ve done that, you can start applying for jobs. To increase your chances of getting hired, you should prepare for your job interview by learning how to answer surgical first assistant interview questions.

In this guide, we’ll give you some tips on how to prepare for your interview and provide you with a list of sample surgical first assistant interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where you have to multitask?

The interviewer may ask you this question to determine if you can handle the fast pace of a hospital operating room. High-quality surgical first assistants are able to multitask and work quickly, so it’s important to show that you have these skills in your answer.

Example: “Yes, I am comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. In my previous role as a surgical first assistant, I was responsible for helping the surgeon with many tasks at once. For example, I would help the surgeon prep for surgery while also monitoring the patient’s vitals and communicating with other medical professionals.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a surgical first assistant?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your personality and how it fits with the role. They want someone who is organized, detail-oriented, compassionate and able to work well under pressure. When answering this question, try to highlight these qualities in yourself by describing a time you displayed them.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for a surgical first assistant is patience. Surgeries can be long, so I always make sure to stay calm and focused on my task. Another quality that’s important is communication. During surgeries, there are often many people talking at once, so it’s important to listen carefully and respond when appropriate. Finally, I think compassion is an essential quality because we’re working with patients who are often scared or in pain.”

How would you make sure that a patient is relaxed and comfortable before and during surgery?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with patients. Your answer should include examples of how you interact with patients, including the language you use and how you make them feel comfortable before surgery.

Example: “I always start by introducing myself to the patient and their family members or friends who are present for the procedure. I explain what will happen during the surgery and how long it will take. Then, I let them know that they can ask me any questions they have about the procedure at any time. This helps put them at ease because they know exactly what to expect from the surgery.”

What is your experience with administering anesthesia to patients?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with anesthesia and how you administer it. If you have previous experience administering anesthesia, describe the type of anesthesia you administered and what your responsibilities were in that role. If you do not have any experience administering anesthesia, you can still answer this question by describing your experience working with patients who are under anesthesia.

Example: “In my last position as a surgical first assistant, I assisted the anesthesiologist during surgeries where general anesthesia was required. The anesthesiologist would give me instructions on when to administer anesthesia to the patient and how much to administer based on their orders. I also monitored the patient’s vital signs throughout the surgery to ensure they remained within safe parameters.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to assist a surgeon with a difficult procedure.

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenging situations and whether you have the skills to work in a surgical setting. In your answer, try to explain what steps you took to assist with the procedure and highlight any specific skills or training that helped you succeed.

Example: “In my previous role as first assistant, I assisted a surgeon who was performing a difficult spinal surgery on an elderly patient. The patient’s spine had fused together over time, making it more difficult for the surgeon to perform the operation. During the procedure, I communicated with the surgeon about which tools they needed and when to use them. This allowed us to complete the surgery successfully.”

If a patient experienced an unexpected reaction to anesthesia, how would you handle the situation?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle unexpected complications during a surgery. In your answer, describe how you would respond to the situation and what steps you would take to ensure that the patient’s safety was maintained throughout the procedure.

Example: “If I noticed that a patient experienced an adverse reaction to anesthesia, I would immediately alert my surgeon so they could decide on the best course of action. Depending on the severity of the reaction, I might administer additional medication or call for emergency medical assistance if necessary. If the patient is experiencing respiratory distress, I would assist my surgeon in administering oxygen until the patient stabilized.”

What would you do if a surgeon asked you to perform a task that you weren’t familiar with?

This question can help interviewers determine how you respond to challenges in the workplace. It’s important to show that you are willing to learn new tasks and develop your skills as a surgical first assistant.

Example: “If a surgeon asked me to perform a task I wasn’t familiar with, I would ask them to explain it to me step-by-step so I could understand what they wanted me to do. Then, I would practice performing the task until I felt comfortable doing it. If I still had questions after practicing, I would ask my colleagues for advice on how to complete the task successfully.”

How well can you follow written and verbal instructions?

This question can help interviewers determine your ability to work in a fast-paced environment and follow instructions from surgeons. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention that you have excellent attention to detail and are able to perform tasks quickly and accurately.

Example: “I am very good at following written and verbal instructions because I pride myself on my attention to detail. In my previous role as surgical first assistant, I would often receive instructions from the surgeon before an operation began. I found that I was able to remember these instructions even when the operating room became loud or chaotic. I also enjoyed being able to communicate with other members of the surgical team so they knew what to do during the procedure.”

Do you have experience working with surgical instruments?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience level and how you might fit in with their team. If you have previous experience working with surgical instruments, describe what kind of tools you used and the specific tasks you performed. If you don’t have direct experience, you can still answer this question by describing any other relevant work experience that involved using specialized tools or equipment.

Example: “I’ve worked as a surgical first assistant for five years now, so I’m very familiar with all kinds of surgical instruments. In my last position, I assisted surgeons who used both traditional and robotic-assisted surgery techniques. This required me to use many different types of instruments, including scalpels, retractors, clamps and scissors. I also had to be prepared to handle emergencies like instrument malfunctions.”

When preparing a patient for surgery, what steps do you take to ensure their safety?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your safety protocols and ensure that you are following the hospital’s policies. In your answer, describe how you follow all necessary steps for patient safety before, during and after surgery.

Example: “I always make sure I have read the surgeon’s notes thoroughly so I know exactly what they want me to do in the operating room. Before the operation begins, I double-check the patient’s identity and their medical history with the nurse or anesthesiologist. Then, I confirm the type of anesthesia the patient will receive and check the equipment needed for the procedure.”

We want to improve our post-surgical care. Describe the steps you would take to improve our current practices.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to make positive changes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight the steps you would take to improve the current practices and how they would benefit patients.

Example: “I would first assess what our current post-surgical care looks like. I would then look at other hospitals’ best practices for post-surgical care and compare them to ours. From there, I would implement any of their methods that we could feasibly use in our hospital. For example, if another hospital had a system where nurses checked on patients every hour after surgery, I would see if we could do something similar here.”

Describe your experience with surgical equipment.

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the tools you’ll be using in this role. Interviewers ask this question to see if you have experience with their hospital’s specific equipment and how comfortable you are working with it. When preparing for this interview, research what surgical tools the hospital uses and read up on them. Try to think of a specific example from your past where you used these tools or helped someone else use them.

Example: “At my previous job, we used different types of surgical equipment depending on the procedure. For instance, I assisted surgeons who performed laparoscopic procedures, which required specialized equipment like endoscopes and cameras. I also worked with open-surgery equipment like retractors and clamps. In both cases, I was very familiar with the tools and had no problem assisting surgeons.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and abilities.

Example: “I have five years of experience as a surgical first assistant, which has given me valuable insight into what makes an effective team member in the operating room. I am also highly organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay prepared for any situation during surgery. My communication skills are excellent, so I can relay important information to surgeons and other medical professionals effectively.”

Which surgical procedures are you most comfortable with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and comfort with specific procedures. You may have more experience than other candidates, but if you’re not comfortable with a certain procedure, it’s important to be honest about it in your answer.

Example: “I’m most comfortable assisting with orthopedic surgeries, such as knee replacements or hip replacements. I’ve worked on these types of procedures for five years now, so I feel confident that I know what to expect when working on them. However, I also enjoy helping with general surgery procedures because they are always different and challenging.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of being a surgical first assistant?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what it means to be a surgical first assistant. It also gives them insight into your values and priorities as a healthcare professional. When answering this question, consider which skills or qualities are most important for someone in this role.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of being a surgical first assistant is communication. The surgeon needs to know exactly what’s happening at all times, so I make sure to communicate with them about everything from patient vitals to instrument counts. Communication is key to ensuring the safety of patients and staff members.”

How often do you perform each of the following tasks on average: preparing patients, passing instruments and equipment to surgeons, holding retractors or other devices in place, administering anesthesia?

Interviewers may ask you this question to learn more about your experience level and how it compares to the job requirements. They want to make sure that you have enough experience to succeed in the role, but they also want to know if there is room for growth or development. In your answer, try to be honest about your experience while also showing a willingness to learn new skills.

Example: “In my previous position as surgical first assistant, I performed all of these tasks at least once per surgery. However, I am comfortable performing each task multiple times per day. I believe that with continued training and practice, I could perform each task even more frequently.”

There is a conflict with a surgeon on the surgical team. How would you handle it?

This question can help interviewers evaluate your conflict resolution skills. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation and how you resolved the conflict or helped resolve the conflict with the surgeon.

Example: “I once worked on a surgical team where one of the surgeons was very demanding. He would often yell at nurses and other assistants when they made mistakes. I tried my best to stay calm in these situations and focus on doing my job well. If he yelled at me, I would calmly explain what I was doing and why. This usually diffused his anger and allowed us to continue working together.”