Park Nicollet Health Services said Monday it is cutting 233 jobs, the second big round of layoffs in less than five months at the St. Louis Park-based hospital and clinic chain.

The 233 jobs make up the equivalent of 118 full-time employees, or 1.8 percent of Park Nicollet's total workforce.

Park Nicollet said it would also merge several leadership positions, make some employees take two weeks' unpaid leave before the end of the year, and do away with its 401(k) match for 2009.

It will also leave 69 open positions unfilled.

Park Nicollet earlier cut 233 employees in December.

Like other hospital groups, Park Nicollet has had heavy losses in its investment portfolio and has seen a drop in patients because of the economy. It is also grappling with more unpaid medical bills from patients who've lost their jobs and those who have high-deductible health insurance, and it is bracing for state and federal budget cuts to health care, said Chief Executive David Wessner.

CHEN MAY YEE