Department Information

Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!

Description of Job

• 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

• 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 authorityCommunication/ 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, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

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.

• 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

• dependability
• excellent Oral Communication Skills
• problem solving
• participating as an active team player

• 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
• Part-time employees are required to work three shifts per week

• 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

Supplemental Information

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org 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
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
• 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. For more

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.