statehospitalJamestown (CSi) The North Dakota State Hospital Governing Body heard Monday that the hospital is looking for about 50 new employees.

Huuman Resources Director, Lyle Grove said, the hospital staff normally includes 456 full-time equivalents. Currently, 406 of the positions are filled.

He added that “These are jobs with a high school education as a minimum and are the biggest demand in the area.”

Grove said the State Hospital is competing with retail stores like Menards and Walmart and other employers for workers to fill these positions. However, filling any position at the State Hospital has some challenges.

The State Hospital offers a starting wage of $13.70 per hour for direct-care associates, who don’t have an education beyond high school or any applicable experience.

In other business, the State Hospital Governing Body adopted a revised set of bylaws for the board. The hospital’s Superintendent, Dr. Rosalie Etherington, said the revisions removed redundant wording and outdated language from the bylaws.