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.
This position will receive a short-staffing temporary pay differential of 8% through June 30 2025
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
About the Division of Youth Services:The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides a continuum of residential and non-residential services that encompass juvenile detention, commitment, and parole. DYS is the agency statutorily mandated to provide for the care and supervision of youth committed by the District Court to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Division operates numerous secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre-adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. The Division also contracts with numerous private residential and non-residential service providers throughout the State. For pre-adjudicated youth, the Division is also responsible for the management and oversight of Colorado Youth Detention Continuum, a State-funded, locally administered program that provides services to youth at risk of further progressing into the juvenile justice system. In addition to residential programming, the Division administers juvenile parole services throughout the State which includes but is not limited to parole supervision through case management to ensure community safety.We invite you to explore the DYS website and learn about the services provided to youth, families, and local communities in the State of Colorado at: https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/dysMy Why
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Purpose of the work unit.This unit exists to provide a safe, secure and healthy environment for all youth for whom we have accepted physical and/or legal custody. To provide those youth under our care with a meaningful experience, regardless of the nature of the offense they have or are alleged to have committed.
Summary of Position. This position is responsible for the direction and clinical supervision of all Nursing and Health Care Technician staff assigned to the unit while working in conjunction with the Medical Lead. Delivers health care to detained and committed youth within the nurse’s scope of practice. Primary care is provided by independent practitioners with responsibility for a continuum of care from the initial assessment through the development and maintenance of health care including physical, psychiatric, and dental maintenance.
Specific Job Duties:
Clinical Duties. Initial nursing assessments and triage of requests for health/medical care submitted by the youth. Reviews the admission medical information obtained by security staff at intake. Administers nursing care and provides youth education for routine, urgent, and emergent medical situations within the scope of practice. Obtains laboratory and other diagnostic procedures ordered by medical providers, reviews results, and notifies the provider of results when indicated. Initiate nursing/medical treatment plans for youth with special health care needs. Reviews and revises treatment plans as needed. Completes health appraisals, physical exams, vision/hearing screenings, in-house laboratory diagnostic testing (e.g. urine dipsticks, pregnancy tests, STI urine testing, PPD tests etc.), and immunizations per Division of Youth Services (DYS) policy. Documents all encounters with youth in the electronic medical records system and/or appropriate medical logs in an accurate and timely manner. Maintains confidentiality of all patient information (oral and written) according to federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. Initiates consultations/referrals to mid-level provider and/or appropriate physician when indicated. Responds to requests for emergent situations (Code Blue, Code Red) occurring on campus, administers CPR/First Aid, and initiates a 911 call if indicated. Delivers medications, and medical supplies and evaluates youth who may be confined to specific buildings or rooms throughout the campus setting. Other nursing duties as delegated/ordered by DYS physicians or mid-level providers.
Medication and Treatment. Responsible for the ordering and preparation of youth’s medications for administration within the facility. Transcription and procurement of psychiatrist, physician, and/or mid-level provider medication orders. Maintains accuracy of individual Medication Administration Records through reviewing and updating on a continuous basis. Monitors those records for medication errors and reports them to the Lead Medical or Mid-Level Provider in charge, including lack of documentation regarding the administration of medications. Educates youth and staff about medications, side effects, desired effects, and the importance of compliance with prescribed medications. Investigates and documented interviews with youth refusing prescribed medications and initiate interventions. Maintains inventory logs of medications arriving at the facility for youth, preparing them for administration by medical and QMAP staff and delivering them to Transcribes, orders, prepares, and administers medications including intramuscular medications per prescribed providers’ orders. Updates Medication Administration Record (MAR). Monitors MARs for errors and reports errors to medical clinic supervisor and facility administration. appropriate living units located throughout the campus. Assists in ordering and maintaining stock supplies, medications, and equipment within the campus clinics. Monitors inventory and restocks medications and supplies in campus clinics and living units. Checks campus First Aid Kits, AEDs, pharmaceutical refrigerators, and other equipment on a continuing basis to maintain adequate functioning of the medical department and provision of health care for youth. Documents administration of youth medications and behavioral contacts in electronic medical record database. Assess vaccine status and administers needed vaccines per CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and provider recommendation. Follows Vaccine for Children’s Program protocols for immunization administration and safe storage and handling.
Mental Health. Evaluates resident’s mental status/mental health and behavioral health conditions through the interview, health appraisal, and observation. Performs nursing assessment of youths’ mental status through interviews and observations, health screening, and health appraisal. Provides basic mental health intervention and refers to a psychiatrist or mental health resource for further evaluation, intervention, or transfer to a mental health institution. Provides basic nursing interventions/education during encounters with youth as indicated. Makes appropriate referrals and/or consultations with mental health providers or psychiatrists. Conducts mental health referrals as necessary. Actively involves parents and legal guardians in the care and treatment of the mental health of their youth.
Clinical Supervision. Accountable for the work of nursing staff, health care technicians, nursing students, orientees, and others through delegation of work assignments, ensuring timely completion of work, providing clinical leadership, and teaching clinical interventions. Provides clinical and administrative supervision of nursing staff on duty. Acts as a liaison between nursing staff and providers/administration. In collaboration with the medical lead, assists in the development of the clinic staffing schedule. Coordinates daily tasks and assigns specific duties to staff to ensure all tasks are completed. Ensures that interventions are implemented, that the care provided meets or exceeds community and professional standards and appropriate documentation is completed. Ensures that essential information is shared from shift to shift. Promptly notifies nursing staff of changes to processes, policies, and procedures through communication methods including meetings, email, and individual contact. Provides individual coaching sessions regularly with the nursing staff. Orients new staff and serves as a preceptor for students. Works in conjunction with the medical lead to ensure monthly monitoring of the compliance review standards and the maintenance of the NCCHC folders to ensure a continual state of readiness and compliance.
Health Education. Assesses and identifies the knowledge deficits regarding general health and hygiene topics presented by youth in routine and formal encounters. Provides individual and group education regarding health promotion, and disease and injury prevention to youth and staff on an ongoing basis. Topics specific to this population include but are not limited to a healthy lifestyle i.e. diet, exercise, sleep hygiene, stress management, proper hygiene practices, dental care, STIs and safe sexual practices, contraceptive options, injury prevention using helmets and other protective sports gear and other issues identified by youth/staff. Identifies gender-specific educational needs of youth. Provides ongoing education regarding medication administration, infection prevention, and other health-related topics specific to staff.
Other Duties as Assigned.Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:Current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
And
Two (2) years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position.
Substitutions:Appropriate education will substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
*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:Knowledge of current medications, administration, their actions and use.
Ability to work in collaborative relationships with other professionals to achieve interdisciplinary goals set for the client.
Ability to assess and coordinate community health care services to meet the needs of clients and their families.
Ability to collect, record, and interpret data concisely and accurately.
Ability to self-regulate emotions when provoked or when working under conditions of stress
Conditions of Employment:- Full Background. CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons): CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers).
- Shift Work. Subject to assigned shifts
- Use, Handling, or Exposure to hazardous materials. Medical Waste
- Travel. May require floating to other DYS Youth Centers to help with coverage, travel to meetings and training.
- Special Qualifications. Current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
- Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.
- Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information 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
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The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contact araceli.diaz@state.co.us
**This position will receive a short-staffing temporary pay differential of (8%) from July 1st 2024 - June 30th 2025
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~