In preparation for the opening of the Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) at Redding and Fresno the Veterans Homes of California are launching a hiring blitz. Redding and Fresno veterans homes opened in October 2013 as Residential Care Facilities and have veteran residents and are now proceeding to open their SNF Units. To operate skilled nursing facilities requires more nurses, more LVNs, more CNAs and Supervising Nurses to manage the high levels of care CalVet demands for veterans.

“To open these facilities, we need employees at every level including a Deputy Secretary; Administrators, Nursing Home Administrators, Dieticians, Therapist, all degrees of Nurses, and support staff,” states CalVet Veterans Homes Undersecretary Diane Vanderpot. “It would be wonderful if we could find eligible veterans.”
CalVet operates Skilled Nursing Facilities for veterans at Barstow, Chula Vista, West Los Angeles, and Yountville and recruits regularly in those areas. For this special recruitment effort CalVet has been reaching out to other state agencies such as EDD, professional and senior care associations and the community. Employees in all of the required positions must be in place prior to the SNFs being allowed to open by the California Department of Public Health, the licensing body for nursing homes in the state.

Jobs are also available at the Headquarters in Sacramento and at the veterans’ homes in Barstow, Chula Vista, West Los Angeles, Ventura, Lancaster and Yountville. CalVet is encouraging veterans to apply. The CalVet Exam and Job Available postings can be found at www.calvet.ca.gov/AboutUs/Jobs. The State hiring process is a two-step process which requires applicants to first pass and exam and be placed on an exam list. Applicants at that point can begin to apply for job openings. Because the State hiring process may be a bit confusing, CalVet is offering assistance through online videos at www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/job-seekers-video-tutorials.aspx and with workshops at the homes on “”How to get a State Job!”

The first Veterans Home in California was established in Yountville in1884 for Civil War veterans and will celebrate its 130 year of operation this year. It is the mission of the CalVet Homes is "to provide the state's aged or disabled veterans with rehabilitative, residential, and medical care and services in a home-like environment." This mission acknowledges the tremendous sacrifice California veterans have made and recognizes them for their noble service to our nation.

The Homes range in size from 60 residents on a 20 acre site to over 1,000 residents on 500 acres. When all eight Homes are at capacity, they will house and care for approximately 3,000 veterans.

Veterans who are age 55 and above and discharged from active military service under honorable conditions, are eligible to apply for admission. The age requirement is waived for disabled or homeless veterans needing long-term care. Information regarding the veterans’ homes can be found online at http://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetHomes. The site includes an application for residence, levels of care, and information and pictures of the individual homes.