Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: Open until Filled

Required documents uploaded by: All required documents listed below must be attached to your application within 2 days of applying for your application to be considered complete.

Agency Information:

South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital (SCR)

South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital (SCR) is Kansas's newest state psychiatric hospital and serves adults experiencing serious mental illness throughout south-central Kansas. Located in Wichita, SCR is a 104-bed facility committed to delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed care in a modern, recovery-oriented environment.

About the Position

Who can apply: Anyone

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Work Schedule: M-F

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Search Keywords: Licensed Practical Nurse, LPN

Compensation: $28.59/hour

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) delivers targeted, high-quality patient care and executes treatment plans under the clinical supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). Operating in a collaborative care model, the LPN manages routine medication administration, monitors patient vital signs, and reports critical changes in physical or mental status directly to the RN. While the RN retains ultimate responsibility for patient assessment and overall care planning, the LPN serves as an essential clinical partner and unit leader, directing Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs) to maintain a safe, therapeutic, and compliant environment.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Prepares, administers, and documents medication and treatments according to physician orders and established nursing policy and procedures

• Administer medications and monitors for therapeutic and adverse effects
• Responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies, including codes and behavioral crises
• Review, process, and accurately transcribe physician orders.
• Prepare, administer, and document scheduled PRN medications according to facility protocols and safety standards.
• Monitor, report, and document therapeutic effects, side effects, or adverse reactions to medications.
• Perform authorized nursing treatments (e.g., wound care, blood glucose monitoring, vital sign checks) and manage minor illnesses or injuries under clinical oversight.
• Performs ongoing patient evaluations and documents care accurately
• Document precise patient responses to medical and nursing interventions, including pain management assessments.

Provides supervisory assistance

• Provides direction, monitors performance, ensures policy compliance, and delegates tasks to Behavioral Health Technicians.
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and participates in shift reports, treatment meetings, and care planning.
• Completes daily clinical charting and shift notes to accurately track patient progress.
• Mentors patients in coping skills, encourages program participation, and assists with activities of daily living (ADLs).

Maintains a safe, secure, and therapeutic environment

• Maintain strict, continuous accountability of patient locations across living units, dining halls, and recreational areas.
• Safely de-escalate crisis situations, aggressive behaviors, or psychiatric emergencies using approved Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) techniques.
• Coordinate and conduct secure patient escorts for internal facility movements or external medical appointments.
• Participate in regular environmental safety checks, contraband searches, and sharps/key control counts to maintain unit security.

Communication, Teamwork, and Process Improvement

• Attend and actively contribute relevant clinical data to interdisciplinary treatment team meetings
• Assist the Unit Nurse (RN) with assigning tasks to Mental Health Developmental Disabilities Technicians (MHDDTs) and aligning daily shift work with patient care plans
• Assume basic unit management task responsibilities as authorized during the temporary absence of the RN
• Maintain professional boundaries and adhere to all facility policies, HIPAA regulations, and state laws.
• Must be able to walk, stand and remain alert for extended periods
• Must possess the physical agility required to intervene in behavioral crises and apply physical restraint techniques (CPI) to protect patients and staff.
• Work is performed within a secure psychiatric inpatient environment with potential exposure to volatile or aggressive patients.

Completes special projects and performs other duties as assigned including but not limited to ensuring the agency is adequately staffed during and immediately following natural and/or manmade disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and/or acts of terrorism. Assists other employees in the work unit in accomplishing assignments as necessary.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Current licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Kansas
• Graduation from an accredited Practical Nursing program approved by the State Board of Nursing
• Ability to supervise multidisciplinary support staff
• Strong assessment, communication, and crisis intervention skills
• CPR/BLS certification (or ability to obtain upon hire)

Preferred Requirements

• Previous experience in psychiatric or behavioral health setting
• Knowledge of psychiatric and behavioral health nursing practice
• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) or similar certification

Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:

• Must be able to pass a background check prior to employment.
• Must take and pass a pre-employment drug screening test.

Recruiter Contact Information

KDADS – Human Resources Recruiter

503 S. Kansas Ave

Topeka, KS 66603

Phone: 785-296-0463

Fax: 785-368-6688

Email: [email protected]

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

• Transcripts
• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.

If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

**Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE):**Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be scanned and emailed to [email protected], or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Docking State Office Building
915 SW Harrison Ave, Suite 260
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.