This position is open to current Colorado residents only.
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Please Note: While this announcement lists a specific unit, should an offer be extended to you, the hiring manager may make you a job offer within the same classification for a different unit within the hospital. These opportunities will be based on vacancies at the time of offer and business needs. All work locations evaluated will remain within CMHHIP
This position will receive a short-staffing temporary pay differential of 3.17% from July
from your start date to June 30, 2025, but not to include any period after June 30, 2025
Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!
About Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP)
As a cornerstone of the Pueblo community for over a century, Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP) is a leading employer, provider of quality mental health services, and a community partner. 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.
This recruitment will be used to fill positions on the RNRU unit which provides treatment for adults ages 18 and over. The patients have psychiatric disorders with concurrent criminal involvement or are highly dangerous, requiring inpatient care in a secure setting. This is an intermediate acuity unit. The patients have acute symptoms of mental illness. Severe and persistent mental illness and/or personality disorders concurrent with criminal involvement. The unit is located in building 106, which is medium security
About this Position:
NOTE: This position is required to report to the assigned duty location, no remote option will be available
This position exists to deliver nursing care and therapeutic interventions under the supervision of a registered nurse. The Client Care Aide I provides nursing care as assigned and participates in implementation of the treatment plans utilizing the plan of care as the basis for the provision of care. Major responsibilities include patient observation and reporting, assisting with patient care as directed, and unit maintenance and security. This position provides security and accountability for the client’s location and condition and may assist licensed staff in patient transport on or off grounds along with the monitoring of general client activities on an on-going basis. Duties in this position include:
Clinical Skills:
- responsible for administering nursing care, both psychiatric and medical crisis interventions under the direction and supervision of an RN
- monitors the milieu for needed interventions
- utilizes therapeutic interventions to manage crisis situations and management of assaultive and disruptive behaviors
- promptly responds to patient’s psychiatric and/or medical crisis
- understands and practices knowledge of when to report changes in patient condition or complaints such as pain or other medical needs to the RN
- maintains awareness of all 1:1, special precautions, and medical and psych issues for each patient
- responds to duress alarm
- assures all assigned duties are complete and documented each shift
- follows and maintains Infection control standards and regulations
- responsible for CCA duties including changing linen, assisting with bathing, feeding, and lifting/turning/transferring patients
- organizes time daily to assure timely completion of assigned tasks
Accountability:
- knows, utilizes and follows CMHHIP standards and guidelines: Treatment Plans, Infection Control Manual, and Emergency Response Guides
- follows and maintains infection control standards and regulations
- adheres to CMHHIP Employee Code of Conduct and CMHHIP’s Organizational Ethics policies
- follows and complies with all nursing competencies related to the CCA I, is aware and utilizes the Nursing chain of command
- provide safe/secure transport of patients to yard, gym, visits, administrative conference room, staffing/dispo reviews, court/community reintegration sites
- knows how to access the nursing drive on the computer and is expected to utilize it
- responsible to ensure educational profile is current and up to date
- participates in the QA/PI process at the unit level as directed by the Nurse Manager
- attends weekly nursing rounds or read/review and understand information in the weekly NEC minutes to be aware of nursing direction, new information, changes in policy/procedure/instructions etc
- reports any claims of any type of harassment/workplace violence, alerts public safety/charge RN/Nurse Manager/and nursing appointing authority
Communication/ Interpersonal Skills/Customer Service:
- effectively communicates by actively listening and sharing relevant information with co-workers, supervisor(s), and customers to anticipate problems and ensure the effectiveness of the department
- adapts communication methods to respond to different audiences to promote a positive environment, which is appropriate in all communications with coworkers and patients
- receives cross-shift reports from the off-going RN and is aware of all 1:1, SP II, medical, and psych issues for each patient
- addresses patient complaints at the unit level
- reports abuse allegations immediately to the charge RN/Nurse Manager/nursing appointing authority and refer to public safety
- alerts the RN to all exceptions, and changes in patient status including suicidal/homicidal ideation, need for medication, or RN intervention
- completes and routes paperwork to the appropriate area/person (to include incident reports and injuries on the job)
- corrects and reports any hazardous environmental findings to the Charge RN
- treats all patients and staff with respect, demonstrates tact and diplomacy and encourages open communication and mutual trust
- provide specific examples of regular, ongoing decisions made by this position related to this duty. -Determines the optimal method of communication to maximize understanding. -Determines when to communicate issues to the charge nurse regarding safety
Other Duties as Assigned:
- responsible for the performance of assigned tasks and duties within the scope of practice for this position that does not fall within the realm of duty statements
Minimum Qualifications:
A high school diploma or General Educational Diploma (GED)
Substitutions:
- Current, valid certification as a Nurse Aide (CNA) from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies will substitute for the high school diploma or GED.
**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 Qualifications:
- experience working in a mental health setting
- willingness to work an occasional graveyard/night shift
- possession of CNA License
- experience assisting residents/patients with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL) care with the mentally ill population
- experience observing, recording, reporting, and documenting changes in a patient's condition
Required Competencies:
- dependability
- excellent Oral Communication Skills
- problem solving
- participating as an active team player
Shift Times:
- All shifts at the facility are twelve (12) hour shifts. Depending on the FTE of the position they are selected for, staff will be required to work a set number of days within a two week cycle. Shift times available include day, night shifts
**Please note: While there may be some flexibility in scheduling, shift times and dates may vary, depending on the needs of the program.
Conditions of Employment:
- 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
- On-call status
- 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.
- Shift Work – May be required to work evening or weekend shifts, holidays, voluntary or mandatory overtime both in the clinic, or on patient units throughout CMHHIP
- successfully pass all modules of the CMHHIP New Employee Orientation core curriculum to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics;
- possess the physical ability to successfully complete hospital approved external control techniques 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 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;
- 2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire;
- annual influenza vaccination, covid, and other vaccinations as required by the State of Colorado
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 jonathan.benavides@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 CAMPUS OF THE COLORADO MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL IN PUEBLO IS TOBACCO FREE
The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer
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