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Posted: April 8, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

State of Iowa

400 Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care

Fresh

Location

Salary

$27.16 - $38.56

per hour

Closes

April 20, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a Licensed Practical Nurse at a state mental health institute in Iowa, where you'll provide hands-on care to adults needing acute psychiatric treatment, including helping with daily activities, giving medications, and supporting treatment plans under supervision.

It's a full-time evening shift role with good pay perks and chances to grow in a team-focused environment.

A good fit would be someone with nursing experience who is patient, detail-oriented, and comfortable working with people facing mental health challenges.

Key Requirements

  • Active Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in Iowa
  • Knowledge of the nursing process, medication management, and physician orders
  • Experience in patient care, including admission, transfer, discharge, and activities of daily living
  • Skills in behavioral management, patient education, and therapeutic interventions
  • Ability to document care, report concerns, and comply with safety protocols
  • Background check required
  • Willingness to work rotating 2:30-11:00 p.m. shifts

Full Job Description

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, Bureau of Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI) is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to join our team!

This is a full-time opportunity with a rotating 2:30 – 11: 00 p.m. schedule, a shift differential of $0.90 per hour for second shift, and strong opportunity for advancement, growth, and development.

The CMHI team consists of medical providers, social workers, Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Resident Treatment Workers, and Resident Treatment Technicians.

LPNs contribute to the team by demonstrating technical and professional knowledge of the Nursing process, medication management, carrying through physician orders, documentation, and behavioral management of patients.

Under direct supervision, duties include admission, transfer, and discharge of patients, providing direct nursing care as specified in the patient’s individualized treatment plan, alerting the team to any issues, and supervising or assisting with patient care including bathing, meals, and other activities of daily living.

Our LPNs also provide assigned patient education, therapeutic activities, behavioral management interventions, and comply with hospital safety precautions including observation checks, hand-off communication and timely reporting of concerns to the RN staff.

There are also opportunities to provide leadership for non-licensed staff, facilitate collaborative work habits and promote team building.

CMHI provides active inpatient treatment to adults in need of acute psychiatric care. The facility offers several services including individualized treatment plans.

Support for patients with special education needs to continue their education is provided and individuals are encouraged to collaborate with staff members in formulating their own plan.

Medication, group counseling, and activities therapies might be included as well.

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

CMHI provides active inpatient treatment to adults in need of acute psychiatric care. The facility offers several services includingindividualized treatment plans.

Support for patients with special education needs to continue their education is provided, and individuals are encouraged to collaborate with staff members in formulating their own plan.

Medication, group counseling, and activities therapies might be included as well. For more CMHI info: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/specialty-care-facilities/cherokee-mental-health-institute

Benefits of Joining CMHI

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
  • Paid Time Off: Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation(96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
  • Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
  • Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
  • Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
  • Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
  • Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.

For additional information on benefits click here.

Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.

Cherokee Highlights

CMHI is located in Cherokee, a city of approximately 5,000 set in the beautiful Little Sioux River Valley in Northwest Iowa.

Residents enjoy fishing and canoeing on the Little Sioux River which winds through town providing a backdrop to a well-developed parks and trails system.

In addition, Cherokee has over 1,000 acres of land devoted to parks and outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and horseback riding.

Cherokee is the home of the first accredited museum and planetarium in Iowa, Sandford Museum and Planetarium, established in 1951.

Cherokee may be the smallest town in the world to have its own symphony orchestra! This 60-member orchestra has been referred to as the “best kept secret in Northwest Iowa.”

Cherokee is home to Western Iowa Tech Community College and 1 hour or less from other educational institutions including Morningside College, Northwestern College, Buena Vista University, and Dordt College.

This quintessential Iowa town is 1 hour from Sioux City and 2 hours from Omaha. Check out these 10 Reasons to Move to Iowa.

If you enjoy helping adults and families connect with mental health and disabilities services, this is a great opportunity to consider. Apply today!

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the HHS system to apply.

Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States.

The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Qualifications

Licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse by the Iowa Board of Nursing or licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse in accordance with the Nurse Licensure Compact Administrator's Agreement of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. - Nurse Licensure Compact

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

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Posted on NEOGOV: 4/8/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 4/9/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-iowa-5301229