SENIOR PRACTICAL NURSE (State)
Senior Practical Nurse is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
It expects 2 years of relevant experience and a professional license. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $55,079 to $80,113, and state payroll currently lists about 140 people in the title, led by Veterans Affairs.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 2 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 2 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Senior Practical Nurse appears on the State payroll at 3 departments, most of them at Veterans Affairs.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Veterans Affairs | 63 |
| Department of Human Services | 53 |
| Department of Health | 24 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 140 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $77,404. The agencies employing the most are:
- Veterans Affairs (63)
- Human Services (53)
- Health and Senior Services (24)
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 direction of a Director of Nurses, Supervisor of Nurses, Charge Nurse, or other supervisory officer in a hospital setting, developmental center or other health care facility, performs such duties as are required in the care of clients; carries out medical orders prescribed by a licensed physician that require an understanding of elementary nursing; evaluates and monitors the work of other health-care and/or service-providing staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Organizes assigned practical nursing work and develops effective work methods.
- Takes the lead and provides assignments and instructions to practical nurses, human services technicians and other para- professional nursing staff and monitors their work performance.
- Performs and assists with routine practical nursing activities when required.
- Reports unusual occurrences or situations that require medical attention to a physician or Registered Professional Nurse.
- Oversees the administration of prescribed medications.
- Dispenses medication as indicated, measures and administers liquid medication by mouth provided that no calculations or fractional doses are required; administers pills, capsules, and powders by mouth.
- Provides or assists with treatments and medications including dialysis, respiratory treatments, tracheotomy care, insertion of IV's, sitz-baths and other specialized treatments.
- Provides preoperative and postoperative care to clients.
- Maintains hospital and medical supplies in good order and keeps accurate records.
- Administers all types of injections as may be ordered including immunizations and TB testing and insulin.
- Monitors to ensure that meals and nourishments are given as ordered.
- Prepares required reports.
- Collects urine, sputum, and other specimens from clients and labels containers to forward for laboratory analysis.
- Administers prescribed medications and observes clients to see that they take their medication.
- Applies external medications to clients such as salves, ointments, and powders as specifically directed by a supervisor.
- Gathers information for the preparation of inventory records such as amounts of drugs, medical, and other supplies.
- Positions clients according to prescribed practices and the nursing care plan, and assists clients with simple exercises.
- Notifies the physician or supervisor as to any new client condition requiring medical attention.
- Assists with temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, height and weight readings when required.
- Observes clients closely for reaction to drugs, treatment, any other unusual conditions such as physical and/or emotional problems, and reports adverse reactions or problems to immediate supervisor.
- Accurately records individual dosages of medication administered.
- Counsels clients concerning their medications by utilizing medication fact sheets.
- Accounts for narcotics, barbiturates, and other accountable drugs before and after each shift.
- Requisitions, maintains, and accounts for medical supplies, tools, and equipment which must be kept ready for use.
- Acts as liaison between para-professional resident care personnel and medical and professional nursing staff regarding medication changes and client symptoms or behavior changes.
- Interprets visitation rules and regulations to other staff, residents, members of client's families, and visitors.
- Contributes as a member of the health care team in the determination of treatment goals and participates and assists in involving the client in goal planning sessions.
- Teaches client education classes in areas of physical health care, good grooming and hygiene, and personal appearance; may teach orientation classes.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience as a licensed practical nurse.
License
Applicants must possess a valid registration as a Licensed Practical Nurse in New Jersey. Persons who possess the registration by waiver must have satisfactorily completed an approved refresher program.
Appointees 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 practical nursing routines, procedures, standards, and methods and their application to specific cases in a hospital setting, center or other health care facility according to prescribed procedures.
- Knowledge of practical nursing skills and techniques and their application to nursing care and treatment.
- Knowledge of first aid methods and techniques.
- Knowledge of immunization and TB testing methods, and other medical and laboratory procedures within the scope of practical nursing.
- Knowledge of the problems involved in providing care for the mentally ill, developmentally disabled, drug dependent, and medical, surgical, and/or geriatric clients.
- Knowledge of anatomy and normal healthy functioning of the human body.
- Knowledge of medications, their therapeutic benefits and side effects, and the use of medication fact sheets.
- Knowledge of the physical, mental, and emotional needs of mentally ill, developmentally disabled, drug dependent, and geriatric clients and of the methods of providing for their needs.
- Knowledge of therapeutic interventions such as remotivation techniques, activity of daily living programs, and reality orientation.
- Ability to provide assignments and instructions to staff and monitor their work performance.
- Ability to read and interpret laws, rules, and regulations and apply them to specific situations.
- Ability to analyze practical nursing problems and apply the approved nursing routines, procedures, and methods to specific cases in accordance with prescribed policy.
- Ability to organize assigned practical nursing work and develop appropriate work methods.
- Ability to identify those situations requiring the attention of a physician and/or a Registered Professional Nurse and to notify the proper officer.
- Ability to monitor the performance of practical nursing duties including the feeding, bathing, and caring for the general comfort of clients.
- Ability to dispense and administer both oral and injectable medications, and administer treatments such as tube feedings, tracheotomy care, respiratory treatments and dialysis.
- Ability to assist professional staff in the handling, administration, and recording of drugs, hospital supplies, and narcotics.
- Ability to assist in maintaining client discipline with knowledge of least restraint policy.
- Ability to prepare reports.
- Ability to maintain and monitor the maintenance of records and files.
- Ability 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 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 as long as they can perform 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 particular 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.