DSHS ESH Licensed Practical Nurse 2 - LPN
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, WA is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to provide direct patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse in a psychiatric unit. The role supports safety, recovery, and daily care in line with the hospital's Recovery Model.
In addition to base pay, evening/night shift differential and potential on-site 5% premium pay are offered based on shifts and location. Various shifts are available to meet staffing needs.
Qualifications
- Provide direct patient care in a psychiatric/medical setting.
- Communicate critical clinical information during shift transitions.
- Assist with administering medications and treatments as prescribed.
- Maintain accurate electronic records in Pyxis and other systems.
- Follow hospital security policies and procedures.
- Educate patients about their care plans and treatments.
- Assist with patient movement, de-escalation, and transports as needed.
Responsibilities
- Provide patient care and help ensure safety for patients with behavioral health needs.
- Communicate critical clinical information during shift transitions.
- Administer prescribed medications and treatments.
- Process medication orders and maintain accurate electronic records in Pyxis.
- Follow hospital security policies and procedures.
- Educate patients about their care plans and treatment.
- Assist with patient movement and transfers, de-escalate situations, and escort or transport as needed.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, WA needs Licensed Practical Nurses to care for patients with both mental health and physical health needs. Patients here need steady, skilled support every day, and this role helps provide it.
You will work under a Registered Nurse to give direct patient care and help keep the psychiatric unit safe. Your work follows the hospital's Recovery Model, which builds on each patient's strengths rather than focusing only on their diagnosis.
Every shift connects back to the hospital's mission: helping people move forward on their path to recovery. Your care shapes how patients experience each day, and how far they get in their recovery.
- Evening and night shift LPNs receive a $2.50 per hour shift differential on top of their base pay, starting at Step L
- Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary
Various shifts and schedules are available at this location.
- Provide patient care and help ensure the safety of individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges
- Communicate critical clinical information during shift transitions
- Administer prescribed medications and treatments
- Process medication orders and maintain accurate electronic records in Pyxis
- Follow and implement hospital security policies and procedures
- Educate patients about their care plans and treatment
- Assist with patient movement and transfers, de-escalate behavioral situations, and escort or transport patients as needed
- Professionals with a valid license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the State of Washington.
Located in the quiet community of Medical Lake, just 15 miles west of Spokane, Eastern State Hospital (ESH) is one of two state-operated psychiatric hospitals for adults in Washington. Since opening its doors in 1891, ESH has played a vital role in delivering inpatient evaluation, therapy, and treatment for individuals with serious mental illness. The hospital operates 375 beds across its Eastlake and Westlake campuses and is accredited by The Joint Commission and certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Serving patients primarily from Eastern Washington, ESH provides essential, court-ordered psychiatric care in a secure, recovery-focused environment on a peaceful, wooded campus.
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave, and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
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