Informational Interview

Jenna Pollock

Interviewee InformationMaryland Riccio, NP-C

Boston Department of Public HealthHealth Care Facility Inspector

Date of Interview: 3/29/16

What do you do on a typical day in your

position?• I go into work, and I get my

assignment. The assignment is usually to do an annual survey of a large facility to see if they are in compliance with federal regulations. Or sometimes I investigate a medical complaint from a person.

What training or education is required for this type of work?

• For this specific position being a nurse practitioner is not required, just a nursing degree. The government sends you for a week of training, and then you get 4 months of on the job training.

How many people do you supervise and to whom do you report?

• I don’t supervise anyone, most of my work is done independently. I report to the government. If I go to survey an entire building sometimes they will use a team of nurses, and there will be one team leader nurse that will supervise the other teams.

What is the culture in your workplace?

• It is a formal culture, people wear suits and formal attire to the office and do not come late.

If you were starting out again, would you do anything differently?

• No

What are the problems you see with working in your field?

• I don’t see any problems.

What are some of the challenges you face in your position?

• Getting the work done in the time allotted, and writing up the reports in the amount of time that has been given by the federal government.

What are some of the rewards of your

position?• Knowing that you are improving the

lives of the residents in nursing homes in Massachusetts.

How many hours do you typically work each week?

• 40 hours a week, soon I will be starting part time which is 24 hours per week.

Do you ever work in the evenings or

weekends?• No

How will your job change over the next 5-10 years?

• It won’t change much, federal regulations take a long time to change.

What, if anything, do you wish you had known before entering this occupation?

• Nothing

What alternative career paths had you considered?

• I’ve been a nurse for 40 years, I have only been doing this the last 20. I have worked in all different types of nursing fields including hospice care, med/surg, etc. But not much outside of nursing.

How much travel is required?

• There is much daily travel required, from going to the different on-site visits and surveys.

What personal qualities or abilities are important to being successful?

• You should go into nursing or healthcare because you want to help people, not because you want to make a lot of money. If you don’t like to help people you are unable to do your job well, I see a lot of people that are not in it for the right reasons.