CERTIFIED NURSE'S AIDE
Certified Nurse's Aide is a non-competitive state civil service title, so there is no ranked exam. You qualify by meeting the stated education and experience.
Qualifying turns on a professional license. The FY 2027 range lands between $46,215 and $66,786, and state payroll currently lists about 277 people in the title, most of them at Veterans Affairs.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Certified Nurse's Aide appears on the State payroll at 2 departments, most of them at Veterans Affairs.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Veterans Affairs | 271 |
| Department of Health | 6 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 277 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $54,590. The agencies employing the most are:
- Veterans Affairs (271)
- Health and Senior Services (6)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under close supervision of a Nursing Supervisor or other supervisory official in a long-term nursing care facility, in the Department of Veterans Affairs; or in the Department of Health or Department of Human Services in a long-term nursing care facility, psychiatric hospital, or developmental center; provides nonprofessional nursing care and participates as a member of a treatment team; reports on patients'/residents' behavior and treatment related issues of a non-medical nature between shifts; works with patients/residents and their families and participates in the social, physical, and emotional rehabilitation of patients/residents; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Helps patients/residents throughout admission, treatment, discharge, and community adjustment. May assist in providing and maintaining a therapeutic environment for patients/residents in a long-term nursing care facility. Helps patients/residents establish goals for social activities, family interventions, and peer relationships. May assist patients/residents in writing letters, planning telephone calls, or with other personal matters in accord with established policy. Participates in continuous patient/resident education programs with emphasis on self-help and whenever possible social development within the patients/resident's treatment plan. Helps patients/residents plan activities and appointments (doctor, dentist, clinics, and so forth). May be required to transport and/or escort patients/residents to locations within or outside the facility as assigned and remains with patients/residents when indicated. May assist with the orientation of formal groups, re-motivation, and behavior modification. Participates in individual and/or group activities with patients/residents and encourages communication during these activities. Helps with teaching the patients/resident's activities of daily living and performs components of these activities when patients/residents are unable to do so. Assists residents in maintaining tidiness of living area to include, dresser drawers, closet/wardrobe, clothing and personal belongings. May assist patients/residents with bathing and using the lavatory; recognizes and reports any unusual conditions observed while assisting patients/residents with bathing or using the lavatory. May assist patients/residents with getting dressed and grooming. Helps patients/residents with meals and with eating in dining area or other areas in a long-term nursing care facility. Encourages socialization at mealtime and intervenes when behavior becomes inappropriate. Collects and bags soiled linen and replaces with clean linen. May assist with and provide recreational activities designed to meet the needs of the individual patient/resident. Attends in-service education sessions to become more proficient in on-the-job skills. Advocates on behalf of the resident's needs and/or request for services. Communicates using interpersonal skills necessary in assisting patients/residents and all other members of the treatment team to perform in a harmonious manner. Greets and assists visitors with inquiries which do not require professional judgement and/or evaluation and refers all other inquiries to the appropriate treatment team member or Registered Professional Nurse or nursing supervisor. Practices the principles of fire safety, participates in fire and disaster drills, and properly transmits a fire alarm when required. Makes regular tours of the unit to check fire equipment and other safety factors, recognizes actual and potential safety hazards, and takes corrective action and/or reports condition to the designated person in charge. Provides basic first aid and emergency care to patients/residents. Takes vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. Lifts and/or moves patients/residents as required, using proper body mechanics and required medical lifts and equipment. Provides medical supplies and equipment for assigned areas in a long-term nursing care facility, as directed. May assist in searches for missing patients/residents. Submits written reports whenever accidents or incidents occur and prepares and submits other required reports and records. Participates in various committee meetings as required. Reports any concerns expressed by the resident and/or family with respect to care issues to clinical staff. Organizes assigned work and develops effective work methods. Performs related direct care work as assigned. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic medical records and other various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Applicants must possess a valid New Jersey Nurse's Aide Certification issued by the New Jersey Department of Health. Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of problems involved in the nonprofessional care of persons who are confined to hospitals or nursing homes. Knowledge of housekeeping methods required to maintain cleanliness and sanitation standards of long-term nursing care facilities. Knowledge of prescribed fire and safety regulations. Knowledge of principles of body mechanics. Ability to assist in recreation, occupation therapy, and social activities of patients/residents. Ability to monitor patient/resident areas and to notify supervisor of unusual occurrences, irregularities, accidents, illness, and changes in behavior. Ability to feed, bathe, provide lavatory assistance, and dress patients/residents in these areas of care. Ability to render simple first aid and emergency care. Ability to assist patients/residents in basic self-help skills. Ability to follow uncomplicated verbal directions and written rules and regulations. Ability to work effectively with associates, supervisors, and patients/residents. Ability to keep accurate and detailed reports. Ability to work in a long-term care nursing facility. Ability to assist with the planning and carrying out of daily living activities in a long-term care nursing facility. Ability to work with and offer guidance and support to patients/residents. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.