Nursing job

[b5jackson]

I have had 4 interviews with state for surveyor position. San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and San Diego county's. I reside 60 miles from San Diego, and maybe 40 miles from Orange. I am within 20 to 25 miles from San Bernardino/Riverside. I have over 20 years within the profession. Last 10 years in leadership. I'm humble, love learning, work well with others, and work hard. It has been a challenge for me. Does anyone have any advice that would assist me with this challenge, I would greatly appreciate it? Thanks

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I'd choose the location closest to home. You will be doing a lot of driving under the best of circumstances. They pay mileage only from the office to the facility, not from your house to the facility. (Sometimes for long distances they will have you use an official state vehicle, so you won't get paid for mileage anyway.) The area your office covers may be quite large and require a lot of in-state travel, and there will be times when you have to stay in a hotel for as long as it takes to complete the survey.

Being a state surveyor isn't as easy as it looks. There is a LOT more to it than there seems to be on the surface, and the learning curve is steep. You'll get several thick books of rules and regulations with reference to F-tags, and you'll be expected to know them within six months. The QIS (Quality Indicator Survey) computer program is quite complex and multilayered. The training is intensive and you'll be going out on surveys soon after you start the job. You'll work more than 40 hours during survey weeks and not get extra pay (state employees are salaried). This is offset a little by weeks when you're in the office writing up citations and the pace is slower.

It's certainly not a cushy job by any stretch of the imagination. You'll be on your feet for a good part of the day, interviewing LTC residents and their families, questioning and following staff in the performance of their duties, and inspecting the premises. I was on one survey where the residents on one hall didn't have call lights, because "they never use them" (said with a straight face by the administrator). We issued an IJ (immediate jeopardy) and had to stay well into the night while maintenance put in call lights. It's not just 9-5 Monday through Friday; surveyors can and do enter buildings at all hours of the day and night.

I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

[b5jackson]

Would you please provide information as to what the interviewers are looking for during that process? I am knowledgeable of TJC, CMS, and Title 22. This is where I want to retire from. It's an opportunity to learn new skills and give back. How may I convey this is a win-win for them and myself. I have not been extended an offer as of yet. I have been an asset to the profession, again, I reiterate, I'm humble, work well with others, work hard, take nothing for granted, and give back. Any advice how to present myself in a more favorable light? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.