This position has a residency waiver and will be accepting applications from residents and non-residents of Colorado. This announcement is open to potential candidates who are legal residents of the United States. All legal residents of the United States are eligible to apply and compete. If appointed to a position, applicants from outside of Colorado will be required to relocate to Colorado prior to their start date, at their own expense.
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP)
CMHHIP is a 24 hour behavioral health acute care facility that is intended to provide a safe, secure, and therapeutic setting for patients with both psychiatric and medical issues. The services provided include evaluation and treatment for patients who are severely mentally ill, and the goal of this facility is to return patients to their optimal level of functioning and assist them in returning to the community as appropriate.
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We are seeking an exceptional individual interested in working with Adults, both men and women ages 18 and over. This population of patients have psychiatric disorders with concurrent criminal involvement or are highly dangerous, requiring inpatient care in a secure setting.
This position provides nursing oversight, administrative oversight and lead worker over nursing personnel of three or more FTE’s on a continuous basis as well as clinical supervision of all nursing staff during a specific shift. Provides direction to all direct care nursing staff on assigned shift(s). Serve as a resource and mentor to all nursing staff on assigned shift. Promotes and maintains nursing staff efficiency. Oversees the attainment and achievement of Unit/Program/Hospital/Nursing Department goals for the specified shift.
Duties include, but are not limited to the following:
- Assisting nursing staff with clinical direction/supervision of nursing staff, QA/PI activities and to ensure compliance in all areas, and interdisciplinary collaboration
- Working with the Lead Nurse to ensure all nursing services provided on the assigned unit are delivered correctly. The position is responsible to ensure all nursing assignments and duties are completed and in compliance with CMHIP policies and psychiatric and medical nursing standards, licensure requirements and governing bodies while working in conjunction with the Lead Nurse. Unit nursing staff is notified promptly of changes to processes, policies and procedures through communication methods to include Cornerstone Rosters, meetings, email and individual contact. Individual coaching sessions are conducted regularly with assigned staff
- Maintains nursing standards of care for their assigned shift on the unit by creating and maintaining processes to communicate and follow up with assigned staff so that standards are kept in compliance
- Ensures assigned staff follow various manuals, standards and regulations to include but not limited to: DSM, Pharmacy Formulary, Treatment Plans, Infection Control Manual, Physicians Orders, Court orders, Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation Standards, Environment of Care Manual, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Safety Data Sheets, Colorado State Personnel Procedure Manual, Affirmative Action policy, Colorado Worker's Compensation guidelines, Rainbow book and Emergency Guides, ADA statutes, Colorado Alliance for the Mentally Ill recommendations, Patients Rights Handbook
- This position evaluates concerns related to nursing care plan by assessing, identifying, planning, implementing, evaluating, and revising the nursing care given based on the nursing history. Utilize Patient Rights for mental health legal issues and complies with policy and procedure in these areas. Provide intervention in critical situations as necessary
- Perform other related duties as required or assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Applicants must possess a valid, active Registered Nurse License issued by the State of Colorado (Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) OR any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). **
ANDTwo (2) years of professional nursing experience
Substitutions:Appropriate education will substitute for up to two years of the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
(Must attach unofficial transcripts to the application, for education as a substitution to be credited)*Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a pro-rated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.*
Preferred QualificationsIn addition to the Minimum Qualifications and Required Skills outlined above, our ideal candidate will possess the following Preferred Qualifications:- Leadership experience as a Supervisor or Unit Manager
- Specialized professional nursing experience in a Behavioral Health, Forensic, or Geriatric Unit
- Demonstrated ability to lead the shift through training, mentorship and development.
- Nursing experience as a Registered Nurse in a mental health setting
- Proficient in the development and implementation of patient plan of cares
- A strong work ethic based on a foundation of: self-motivation, loyalty, honesty, and integrity
- Dependable, responsible, and adaptable
Required Competencies:- Ability to educate staff on medical/psych policy and procedures
- Ability to effectively supervise staff.
- Ability to effectively treat patients with mental illness.
- Ability to maintain required licensure/credentials.
- Knowledge of the nursing process to provide supervision and care for patients with medical and psychiatric needs.
- Customer/Personal Service - knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services, this includes needs assessment.
- Psychology - knowledge of human behavior and performance, individual difference in ability, personality, and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- Active Listening.
- Judgment, Decision Making, and Problem Sensitivity - the ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong; to include not only solving the problem, but recognizing there is a problem.
- Oral and Written Communication Skills – the ability to speak and write effectively; providing valid and pertinent information to supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates.
- Monitoring/Assessing performance.
- Organization Skills.
- Documentation/Recording Information - entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic form.
- Computer Skills/Software - knowledge of Microsoft Office software, excel spreadsheet, database software and email.
Essential Attributes:- Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations.
- Must be able to lift up to 50+ pounds on occasion.
Conditions of Employment:- A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons. Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges. Additionally, you will be required take and pass a drug screen
- Shall not initiate or engage in sexual, social, personal or financial relationships with patients either during or any time after hospitalization, even if the patient requests or initiates such a relationship. All relationships with current or former patients must be disclosed on your application
- Successfully pass all modules of the CMHIP New Employee Orientation core curriculum to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics
- May work various shifts
- Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare.
- 2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire
- Possess the physical ability to successfully complete CTI and CPR
- Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist
- Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled containment to the floor
- Withstand impact on own body using an ASP shield
- Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for using a defensive tactic
- Kneel on one or both knees and stand up again with multiple repetitions
- Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety
- Seize, hold, control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury
- Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently
- Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations
- Ability to read and comprehend the English language; effectively and fluently communicates in English, both verbally and in writing
- Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings
- Willing and able to travel
- Annual influenza vaccination.
- This position is paid bi-weekly
- Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS
APPEAL RIGHTS:If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
How to Apply
The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contact joel.drahos@state.co.us
About Us:
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:
*Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more
information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.
Our Values:
We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.
Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.
We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.
Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.
We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.
Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
ADAA Accommodations:CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.
~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~
