Mental Health Clinician I - Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan (Denver)

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

     Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan (CMHHFL) is one of two state hospitals serving our community. The vision of CMHHFL is to provide the highest quality mental health services to persons with complex, serious, and persistent mental health illness within the resources available. Our mission is to support those individuals in achieving their recovery goals and reaching their full potential. CMHHFL provides inpatient treatment to adult patients, generally between the ages of 18-49. The hospital has 94 adult inpatient beds, over four treatment units and opened an additional 44 beds (two units) in December 2022, with one unit currently occupied, the other unit awaiting occupancy.  These two forensic units will be dedicated to providing psychiatric stabilization and restoration treatment to individuals opined incompetent to proceed as a result of their mental illness. Medical services, occupational therapy, neuropsychological-rehabilitation services, and trauma-informed care services are available for all patients throughout the hospital.

Through our core values, CMHHFL staff is committed to:

• Individual dignity and respect

• Person-centered, evidence-based care

• Trauma informed recovery

• Multidisciplinary collaboration

• Diversity and inclusion

• Strong family and community partnerships

     Each treatment unit provides psychiatric treatment services to adult clients through the use of a Milieu Treatment Program based on models of milieu therapy and group therapy.  The focus of treatment is ongoing assessment and interventions designed to assist individual clients to resolve the specific problems that brought them to the hospital and to return them to the least restrictive environment in the community. Approaches are strength-based, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented enabling patients to learn more effective coping and living skills in order to function more effectively in the community upon discharge from the hospital.  The psychiatric care and treatment modalities include milieu management, group therapy, activity therapy, health education and medication management with the goal of providing a consistent and safe environment for clients and to assist them with the amelioration of presenting problems and symptoms and improve problem-solving and coping skills.

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• act as patient advocate and provides patient and their family with support and education on patient’s rights. Address and resolve patient issues when possible and refer issues to the hospital Patient’s Rights Specialist, as indicated.  Model solution-focused problem-solving strategies. 
• supports patient in accomplishing activities of daily living (ADLs) through monitoring, teaching, supporting and assisting as needed. This includes such activities as personal hygiene, shaving, brushing teeth, care of personal items, laundry, toileting, and showers, as needed, based on the patient’s ability and current status.  Assures that patient is treated with dignity and respect, maintaining patient’s privacy
• escort patients to activities and appointments on grounds and in the community, including driving patients to appointments.
• assumes responsibility for paperwork, assuring confidentiality.  Communicates patient’s whereabouts to charge nurse and treatment team though sign-out/sign-in systems on the unit. 
• communicate to provide or exchange information while keeping registered nurse and other staff informed of patient status and patient issues. Documents patient care and patient response to treatment as required by hospital policy. Supports patients to develop a list of positive supports which may include family, friends, agencies, and staff members

• assures a safe and therapeutic treatment environment through effective Milieu Management. Closely monitors and maintains surveillance of the unit to assure a safe milieu. This position models professional interactions with patients, families and staff.  Facilitates solution oriented problem-solving strategies, and encourages patient input and self-determination, whenever possible. Monitors, identifies and addresses safety violations in patient care areas. Using therapeutic clinical skills, anticipates and initiates intervention at an appropriate level in crisis situations (i.e., physical or verbal assault against a person or property, suicidal behavior, etc.) by adhering to nursing standards and hospital policies and procedures in order to provide a safe and therapeutic environment
• monitors the milieu, conducts safety checks and monitors for unsafe items and/or unsafe conditions, and acts promptly to secure unsafe items and corrects unsafe conditions. Utilizes appropriate techniques from Verbal Defense and Influence (VDI) and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) to manage aggressive patient behavior, and de-escalate situations whenever possible, reducing the potential for physically aggressive behavior or injury. During episodes of patient physically aggressive behavior, minimizes risk of injury to patient and staff by utilizing CPI approved methods
• engages patients in unit activities, including impromptu groups, discussions, and games that support patient’s well-being and builds appropriate interpersonal skills. Monitors patient’s needs for structure and/or downtime and works in collaboration with unit staff to intervene as indicated.  Monitors patients during meals including monitoring for issues with swallowing/choking, food intake, and interactions with others. Intervenes as indicated and communicates any concerns to the registered nurse. Facilitates patient meetings and groups utilizing appropriate group facilitation techniques

• work as part of the interdisciplinary team and participate in treatment planning and the development of the plan of care for patients
• contribute information and treatment approaches to support patient health and wellness
• incorporate information from multiple sources and provides input into treatment planning.  Advocate for patient’s interest and input into their plan of care

•  any other duties that aren’t covered in the above duty statements but need to be completed to meet the mission of the division and the department

Minimum Qualifications

Experience Only:
Three (3) years of relevant experience in customer service or in a hospital or mental health setting

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education in  psychology, sociology, human services or biology with experience equal to three (3) years

Special Qualifications: 

• Due to the juvenile population served at the MHI facilities, incumbents of this position must be at least 21 years of age

Preferred Qualifications:  

• 1+ years of Knowledge and Experience as a Mental Health Care Clinician I at the State of Colorado Mental Health Institute.
• 1+ years of professional inpatient mental health-care experience in a psychiatric locked/secure setting, working with patients who may become verbally or physically abusive. 
• Experience developing and running treatment groups
• Knowledge and experience with Trauma Informed Care and Recovery Principles and practices
• Outpatient mental health experience running groups, case management, etc., and
• College or university education in nursing, psychology, sociology, human services, or education.

Conditions of employment:

• Full Background check and reference check required
• Shift Work – may work days, evenings, or nights
• Essential Services Designation – Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare
• must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. Driver's License
• must be at least 21 years of age or older
• may be exposed to bodily fluids or caustic chemicals
• 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.

1. Disclose that information on the application.

2. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.

3. Provide your employee number from your 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.

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs. per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated 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 & Competencies:

• Relevant years of state service experience.
  
  

You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process.  Part-time work experience will be prorated.

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing. 

Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications. 

If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.  

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated.  You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.  

• You can find the official appeal form here. 

• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

  • By email ([email protected]), or

  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, 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.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At (303) 866-3300, or

•  Refer to the  Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

How to apply to the State of Colorado

The Assessment Process

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join 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. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center

• Employee Wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.

• 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.

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for 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. 

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing 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 [email protected].

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.  The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).  Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.