5.3 New Jersey Skills Evaluation Strategy
Key Takeaways
D&S/Headmaster administers New Jersey skills testing: hand washing first, then four randomly selected tasks from the current 22-task list.
Each task requires at least 80% of its scored steps with no missed key step; key designations are task-specific.
Use the current task checklist; generic indirect-care routines do not establish the same scored steps on every task.
Do not import a NNAAP 30-minute timer, five-minute warning or mandatory measurement task into New Jersey instructions.
The bulletin permits correcting an error during the same skill; follow its exact procedure rather than assuming that a spoken intention earns credit.
How the New Jersey skills evaluation works
D&S/Headmaster administers the skills evaluation. Your assignment is five tasks: hand washing first, then four random selections from the current 22-task list. Pass skills before scheduling the PSI knowledge examination under the usual route.
Each assigned task requires at least 80% of its scored steps and no missed key step. Bolded key steps are task-specific. General resident-safety habits do not identify every scored or key step on every task.
Use the current bulletin and vendor instructions for task performance, timing, equipment and correction procedures. Do not add a required measurement task, electronic blood pressure or catheter care based on a different program's task list. A 30-minute NNAAP timer and five-minute warning are not asserted here.
The bulletin allows an error to be corrected within the same skill. Follow its instructions and actually demonstrate the corrected action; do not assume that a statement after the skill or after the test automatically changes a score.
Build a checklist-based rehearsal
For each current New Jersey task, prepare a study sheet containing the supplies, assigned scenario, checklist, bolded key steps, reporting instructions and any stated order requirement. Practise the task, then compare your actual demonstration with the checklist. This is an independent study routine, not an added vendor scoring rule.
Use the same practice record for each attempt: task, omitted step, why it was missed, and what you will demonstrate on the next attempt. Recheck the exact official wording instead of replacing it with a universal opening or closing script. Resident safety, dignity and infection prevention support care; their test scoring depends on the assigned task.
Confirm the separate skills-site identification, clothing, location and timing instructions. The PSI knowledge-center checklist does not automatically describe the D&S skills appointment. Do not promise a particular skills duration or warning unless the current vendor instructions specify it.
During a New Jersey assigned skills task, a candidate notices an omitted step before finishing that same skill. What should the candidate do under the current correction instructions?
Wait until after the test and explain what should have been done
Actually correct the step during the same skill as the bulletin permits
Ask to repeat the entire examination after seeing the score
Assume that a high score on other tasks cancels the omission
A New Jersey skills task has a score of 78% with no missed key steps. Does it meet the published task pass rule?
Yes, because no key steps were missed
Yes, if another assigned task scored 100%
Yes, because 75% is the knowledge-test passing score
No, each skills task also requires at least 80% of its scored steps
What skills assignment is stated by the current New Jersey bulletin?
Five skills, all five chosen completely at random by the evaluator
Five tasks: hand washing first, then four randomly selected tasks
Three skills, with hand hygiene optional depending on the tasks chosen
Five skills, but hand hygiene only if a body-fluid skill is assigned
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.