LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE (SAFETY)

State of California; California; On-site; USD 57,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Benefits

Paid Holidays and leave

CalPERS retirement program

Savings Plus 401(k/457

Job summary

The Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is seeking a permanent, full-time Licensed Vocational Nurse (Safety) to work in a secured treatment environment in San Luis Obispo County. It supports a structured team with supervisors and leads, providing nursing care, medication administration (non-intravenous), and trauma-informed care.

The role requires licensure as a California LVN, eligibility for state employment, and willingness to work various shifts.

Qualifications

• CA Vocational Nurse License required or eligible for transfer/reinstatement.
• Eligibility via certification list, transfer, or reinstatement.
• Ability to work in a secured hospital setting and follow medical directions.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe, therapeutic environment for patients.
• Administer medications by non-intravenous routes and document nursing notes.
• Observe patient conditions, report changes to supervisor, and follow infection control procedures.
• Perform custody-related duties and support patient care plans.
• Identify security concerns and intervene to prevent patient escapes.

Skills

CPR

Infection control

Trauma Informed Care

Education

CA Vocational Nurse License

Job description

Job Posting:Licensed Vocational Nurse (Safety)

Department of State Hospitals

JC-537780 -

JC-537780 - Licensed Vocational Nurse (Safety) LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE (SAFETY)

$5,082.00 - $6,361.00 per Month New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/17/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

The permanent, full timeLicensed Vocational Nurse (Safety) will be directed by the Unit Supervisor, Supervising Registered Nurse, and lead by a Senior Psychiatric Technician/Registered Nurse Lead or Alternate Shift Lead on the assigned Program/Unit at the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties but not limited to:

• Helps to create a clean, safe and therapeutic environment for patients; apply mental health principles and relationship security with patients; supervise patient activities
• May perform nursing procedures such as administering medications by any route except intravenous and intrathecal (with the exception of starting IVs)
• Observe patients physical condition and behavior and report significant changes to the assigned supervisor, registered nurse, or physician and record nursing notes in the patients’ record
• CPR, and following infection control procedures
• Perform custody tasks including supervision of patient activities
• Search for drugs, contraband, weapons and inspect facilities to identify security breaches that could lead to the escape of a patient
• Observe and intervene in patient behavior that may injure people, damage property, or signal impending escape attempts
• Apply and demonstrate knowledge of Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and correct methods in the application of TSI, which includes patient stabilization, heavy lifting, applying restraints, and responding to emergency situations throughout the hospital

Eligibility: To be considered for this career opportunity, applicants must have eligibility by way of one of the following: reachable on a certification list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications specified in the examination bulletin/classification specifications. If you do not have eligibility, you must take the exam. The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

• This position requires you to work within the Secured Treatment Area (STA).
• There are multiple vacancies for this classification. Positions filled may be assigned to any shift and any unit according to hospital need.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE (SAFETY)

# of Positions: 2

Work Location: San Luis Obispo County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Facility:

Department Information

The Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is a secure public sector hospital providing inpatient forensic services for mentally ill adult males who are court committed throughout the State of California. Located on the central coast of California, the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is in the vicinity of destination locations such as San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Morro Bay, with easy access to beautiful beaches, serene natural settings, and many historical landmarks. We invite you to join our professional and talented workforce.

• The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a(n) CA Vocational Nurse License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California offers a generous benefits package, including but not limited to:

• Medical Benefits (health, dental, and vision)
• Work life balance (some positions qualify for flexible work hours and schedules, and a minimum of 10 days of paid leave annually – specific accrual rates can be found here )
• Paid Holidays and leave (family medical leave, military leave, etc)
• Defined benefit retirement program with CalPERS
• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
• School loan forgiveness under federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Commute Program
• Employee Wellness Program (discounts to health clubs)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
• ScholarShare (college savings account)
• On-the-job training and professional development
• Most positions qualify for annual raises until you reach the maximum salary for that position, subject to meeting performance standards

Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website. These webpages are intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base, and length of appointment.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled.You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s)to the Department's EEO Office.

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Information

Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.

• Applications postmarked on the final filing date will be accepted.
• Scanned, copied, or faxed applications will not be accepted.
• Applications will be screened and only the most competitive will be offered an interview.
• Any limited-term appointments may transition in to a permanent appointment.
• Selected candidates will be required to submit to a criminal history review utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.
• This position requires candidates to pass a Medical Evaluation. You will be required to submit to a Medical Evaluation and receive clearance prior to being hired.
• This position requires candidates to take and pass a drug screening test. You will be required to take and pass the drug screening test prior to being hired.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.