Careers At Lakes Regional Healthcare

More Than a Job.
A Place Where You Matter.

Build a meaningful healthcare career without sacrificing your life outside of work.
At Lakes Regional Healthcare, you'll do work that matters in a supportive, close-knit environment where your skills are valued, your growth is encouraged, and your life outside of work is respected.
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Hear From Our Team
Why They Chose Lakes Regional Healthcare
Real stories from the people who know this place best.
PURPOSE THAT MATTERS
Whether she's helping expectant parents see their baby for the first time or supporting a patient through a breast biopsy, Emily approaches every exam with compassion.
When Emily Brown talks about her career at Lakes Regional Healthcare, one word comes
up again and again: variety. After more than 14 years as a sonographer, she still enjoys
coming to work because every day brings something different.

While her mornings often begin with scheduled patients, they rarely stay on schedule for long. Emergency Department exams, inpatient requests, clinic add-ons, and procedures quickly become
part of the day, creating an environment that is both fast-paced and rewarding.
I want people to know they're going to be taken care of while they're here.
— Emily Brown, Sonographer
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REAL WORK-LIFE BALANCE
For Sara, one of the biggest differences between her previous employer and Lakes Regional Healthcare has been the ability to enjoy life outside of work.
Having paid time off, flexibility when life happens, and leaders who understand the importance of work-life balance has allowed her to build a career without sacrificing time
for herself or her family.

Employees are encouraged to care for themselves just as they care for others, creating an environment where people can thrive both professionally and personally.

For Sara, that's what makes Lakes Regional Healthcare different. It's more than a place to work. It's a place where people support one another, celebrate successes together, and understand that the strongest teams are built by helping each other through the busiest days.
I don't feel taken advantage of. I feel supported.
— Sara Roghair, Environmental Services
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SUPPORTIVE TEAM CULTURE
For over 35 years, Kim Ihnen has seen firsthand how teamwork makes a difference at Lakes Regional Healthcare.
Kim says one of the things that makes Lakes Regional Healthcare special is the respect employees have for one another's knowledge and experience. While team members are often asked to wear multiple hats, they also recognize the value of leaning on coworkers who have expertise in a particular area.
It's a great place to work. I love my job. I love the people I work with.
— Kim Ihnen, Director of Pharmacy
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A COMMUNITY YOU'LL LOVE
The Iowa Great Lakes region isn't a big city and for Dustin, that's precisely the point. Local restaurants, outdoor recreation in every season, and a community where people know each other.
When the ambulance pulls up and you recognize the paramedic stepping out, something shifts. The fear doesn’t disappear, but it softens. You know that face. That face knows you. For Dustin Hicks, that moment happens more often than most paramedics could imagine. He’s been a paramedic at Lakes Regional Healthcare (LRH) since 1998, long enough to have cared for multiple generations of the same families, to know which patients are nervous before they say a word, and to show up at someone’s worst moment as a neighbor rather than a stranger.

Being part of a hospital-based EMS team adds a dimension that free-standing services can’t always offer. Paramedics at LRH get to follow a patient’s care beyond the initial call, develop clinical skills that keep their practice sharp, and work alongside emergency physicians and nurses day in and day out. “You’re not just dropping them off at the front door,” Dustin says.
It's got a lot of things, but it's not like big city.
— Dustin Hicks, Paramedic, EMS
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GROWTH WITHOUT BURNOUT
With 18 years at Lakes Regional Healthcare, Melissa leads by example, grounded in humility, connection, and a commitment to the community.
Melissa says one of the biggest differences between smaller hospitals and large systems is how broad your experience can be. “In larger facilities, there are teams for everything — IV
teams, code teams, specialty units,” she says. “That’s great, but you don’t always get to
stretch yourself.”

At Lakes Regional Healthcare, nurses are trusted to develop a wide skill set and step into new challenges. That exposure builds confidence, and confidence builds opportunity.

Equally important? Who you’re caring for. “At a community hospital, you’re caring for your
family, your friends, your neighbors,” Melissa says. “That connection matters.”
“Each department filled my bucket differently,” she says. “And that’s what I’ve loved."
— Melissa Klontz, Director of Surgical Services, RN
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Find Your Path
Where Do You Fit at LRH?
Healthcare is the entire team - not just clinical care. Find the track that matches your background and explore open roles built for you.
CLINICAL CAREERS
Nursing, therapy, imaging, surgical, and more.
What Nurses Love Here:
  • Supportive staffing and teamwork
  • Flexible scheduling options
  • Opportunities for advancement and specialization
  • Leadership that listens
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NON-CLINICAL AND SUPPORT CAREERS
Administration, billing, housekeeping, food services, facilities, and patient support.
Why You'll Love Working Here:
  • Stable, community-based employment
  • Strong team culture where every role is valued
  • Meaningful work close to home
  • Full benefits access regardless of role
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LEADERSHIP AND ADVANCEMENT
Grow into leadership without burning out to get there.
Why You'll Love Working Here:
  • Stable employment with long-term growth
  • Strong team culture and mentorship
  • Opportunities for growth and internal promotion
  • Meaningful work close to home
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STUDENTS AND NEW GRADUATES
Start strong with hands-on experience, mentoring, and long-term growth opportunities.
What to Expect:
  • Structured onboarding from day one
  • Real mentorship from experienced staff
  • Entry-level healthcare jobs near Iowa, Great Lakes
  • A team invested in your long-term career
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Explore all roles
You'll be taken to the Avera Careers portal. Select Spirit Lake, IA, to filter LRH positions.
Lakes Regional Healthcare Sign
EVERYONE MATTERS HERE
Employment Benefits
A Package That Respects Your Whole Life
We don't just offer competitive benefits. We offer a package designed around how real people actually live.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Two health plan options with four enrollment levels for full-time staff.
Wellness program
Free annual biometric screenings, incentivized healthy activities, and discounted wellness membership options.
Employee assistance programs
Confidential support for you and your family. First three sessions are free.
Flexible spending account
Pre-tax FSA for healthcare and dependent care costs on your terms.
Service discounts
Discounts on services billed at Lakes Regional Healthcare.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Generous paid time off – accrual starts Day 1
Paid Time Off and Extended Sick Leave hours start accruing right away! Rate increases with tenure.
Flexible scheduling opportunities
Various shift structures designed around your life, not just staffing needs.
Part-time and full-time options
We hire for the schedule that works for you. Benefits eligibility across both.
Located in the heart of the Iowa Great Lakes
Short commutes, outdoor recreation year-round, and a community where you’ll know
your neighbors.

FINANCIAL SECURITY AND GROWTH

Excellent retirement plans
IPERS defined benefit program plus a 457B option through automatic payroll deductions.
Competitive pay
Wages benchmarked annually. Cost of living here means your paycheck goes further than in a city.
Education assistance and professional development
Educational grants each spring and fall. Grow your career without going into debt to do it.
Career advancement opportunities
Internal promotion is our first instinct. We develop our own leaders.

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Real People. Real Words.
Don't Take Our Word for It
The best way to understand what it's like to work at LRH is to hear from the people who do it every day.
PURPOSE THAT MATTERS
I feel like our goal truly is the health of the people in the Lakes area.
For Jill Christoffels, RN, nursing was never just a career path. It became a way to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Today, Jill serves as Director of Home Care and Hospice at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, Iowa, where she has spent nearly nine years helping lead compassionate care for patients and families across the Iowa Great Lakes region. But her journey into healthcare started in a much simpler way: a friend encouraging her to try becoming a CNA after high school.
Jill Christoffels
Jill Christoffels
Director of Home Care and Hospice, RN
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SUPPORTIVE TEAM CULTURE
I immediately felt at home. Everyone made me feel so welcome.
After 17 years as a restaurant general manager, making a career change was both exciting and intimidating for Jessie Seaman, Supply Chain Technician at Lakes Regional Healthcare. For years, she had been the one conducting interviews and welcoming new employees. Suddenly, she found herself on the other side of the table. Having spent years leading her own team, Jessie understands how meaningful simple interactions can be. "I always made it a priority to greet my team because it showed them they mattered," she says. "That's exactly how it feels here."
Jessie Seaman
Jessie Seaman
Supply Chain Technician, Purchasing Department
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GROWTH WITHOUT BURNOUT
I felt like I could take the leap because there's a supportive team here.
At LRH, clinical staff like nurses make up a significant portion of the workforce and they’re extremely important to the organization and care team. Behind every patient interaction is a whole group of people in communications, public health, philanthropy, finance, IT, operations, and beyond who are also incredibly impactful to the organization and the care that’s able to be provided. “You can still make a difference. You can still have a purpose-driven career,” Katy says. “And grow in it. All areas work together to support our hospital and our community.” She credits LRH’s culture as a key reason her growth has been possible. The organization’s leadership is open to new ideas, supportive of professional development, and willing to bet on people, even when those people are stepping into something entirely new.
Katy Carey
Katy Carey
Director of Philanthropy
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A Community You'll Love

You’re Not Just Moving for a Job.
You’re Moving to Somewhere Special.

The Iowa Great Lakes region known to most as Okoboji, is a destination people drive hours to visit. You get to live here. Glacier-carved lakes, 30+ miles of hard-surfaced trails, a genuine four-season lifestyle, and a community where you'll know your neighbors by name.

Compare that to an urban commute and a cost of living that eats your paycheck, and a career at LRH starts to sound like the smart choice.

Activities:
  • Live theater & arts
  • Year-round recreation (snowmobiling, ice skating, cross-country skiing)
  • Local restaurants & nightlife
  • Superior school systems
  • Boating & sailing
  • Fishing & kayaking
  • 30+ miles of hard-surfaced trails
  • 8 golf courses
1.5 hrs
to Sioux Falls, SD 
 2.5 hrs
to Minneapolis, MN 
3.5 hrs
to Des Moines, IA
See What Okoboji Has to Offer Explore Spirit Lake, IA
Life at LRH
Career Insights, Team Stories & a Closer Look at Life Here
An honest, unfiltered look at what it's like to build a healthcare career at LRH from day-one stories to what a Tuesday afternoon actually looks like.
Three nurses smiling at camera News
LRH Honors Nurses for Exceptional Patient Care
During Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2025, Lakes Regional Healthcare (LRH) proudly celebrates the dedication and compassion of over 130 nurses who care for patients throughout our hospital and ...
May 06, 2025 2 min read
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Two CNAs News
LRH Recognizes Certified Nursing Assistants
June 13-19, 2024, marks National Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) Week. Lakes Regional Healthcare wants to recognize the team members that provide care to people within the hospital setting ...
Jun 10, 2024 2 min read
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Logo of National Surgical Technologist Week News
LRH Celebrates National Surgical Technologist Week
In recognition of their contributions to patient care, Lakes Regional Healthcare is observing National Surgical Technologist Week from September 15 through 21, 2024. Surgical Technologists play a critical ...
Sep 13, 2024 1 min read
Read More
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Ready to Make Your Move?

Join a Team That’s Glad You’re Here

Healthcare jobs in Spirit Lake, IA that offer more than a paycheck - purpose, community, and a life you'll love outside of work. Your next chapter starts here.
View All Open Positions Get in Touch
Applications processed through the Avera Careers portal - select Spirit Lake, IA to filter LRH positions. Questions? careers@lakeshealth.org