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Posted: February 4, 2026 (1 day ago)

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CLINICAL THERAPIST II-CMHHIP

State of Colorado

Colorado Department of Human Services

Fresh

Location

Salary

$4,227 - $5,918

per month

Closes

February 25, 2026More State jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This job involves creating and running vocational programs for adults with severe mental illnesses at a state mental health hospital, including assessing skills, providing job training, life skills counseling, and supervising patients in community work settings.

It requires working directly with forensic and civil patients in a secure environment to help them build abilities for returning to the community.

A good fit would be someone with experience in therapy or rehabilitation, strong communication skills, and comfort in high-security settings with diverse patient needs.

Key Requirements

  • Master's degree in a relevant field such as psychology, social work, or rehabilitation counseling
  • Current licensure as a clinical therapist (e.g., LPC, LCSW, or equivalent) in Colorado
  • Experience in vocational rehabilitation, job coaching, or working with adults with severe mental illness
  • Knowledge of forensic psychiatry and ability to work with civil and forensic patients in secure settings
  • Proficiency in computer use for documentation and program implementation
  • Ability to transport and supervise patients in community settings, including spot checks
  • Skills in de-escalation, physical containment techniques, and maintaining a safe environment

Full Job Description

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.


This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

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


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.




Requirements

This position is full time on-site at CMHHIP, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. or 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Please note: These working arrangements are subject to change.

About the Position:

The Clinical Therapist II will formulate, develop and implement a forensic vocational program, which assesses and documents a patient's vocational and pre-vocational skills.

This position must work with adult forensic and civil patients. The position provides job training, life-skill training and vocational counseling.

The position follows and adheres to hospital policies, federal guidelines, discipline and ethical codes and formulated guidelines and policies and quality assurance standards.

This position also transports patients to the community and supervises them while they work in the community.

The Clinical Therapist II must be able to articulate and demonstrate knowledge of job coaching and must be computer literate.

This position makes regular contact with all non-Vocational Rehabilitation On-Unit/Community Supervisors and conducts community spot checks. Duties in this position include:

Implementation of Services:

  • Determines appropriate patients for Vocational Rehabilitation groups based on precautions and acuity

  • Implements a needs specific Vocational Therapy service delivery program by conducting groups, 1:1s, including employment related support, evaluation, education and recreation participation for population, which may include a locked security facility.

    Modifications/accommodations are made in order to provide services, which enable patients at varying functional levels to fully participate

  • Provides a safe and secure environment at all times

  • Maintains equipment in good working condition as well as a safe and secure environment

  • Implements vocational programs for Forensic and Civil and patients at the Institute for Forensic Psychiatry.

Meetings and Trainings:
  • Maintain Cornerstone training competitions as assigned
  • Evaluates the environment for safety/security risks and patient’s behaviors to help provide a Vocational Therapy service delivery system that maintains safety of all patients and staff, by adhering to hospital security policies Utilize de-escalating and physical containment techniques from training
  • Evaluates and monitors supplies, equipment, etc. to ensure safety and security, including area searches for contraband
  • Completes accountability forms to identify patient location and communication with the unit (if required)
  • Maintenance of equipment, teaching proper use of vocational equipment to provide continuity of program delivery
  • Monitors patient and program processes to meet individual needs
Collaboration:
  • Collaborates with treatment teams, other disciplines, (Providers, MD, Nurses, Social Workers, etc.) to provide focused effective treatment utilizing Vocational Training to assist patients in achieving treatment goals
  • Utilizes expertise to provide feedback and assist both treatment teams and patients in order to provide education on available and appropriate vocational resources
  • Effectively communicates relevant information with co-workers, supervisor (s) and customer/clients so as to anticipate problems and ensure the effectiveness of patient treatment
  • Provides analysis of assessment results and recommendations for patient treatment goals
Documentation and Other Duties As Assigned:

Provides documentation in accordance with hospital and Vocational Rehabilitation Department policies and procedures.

Documentation includes patient specific information as well as overall programmatic documentation relating to problems, objectives, and interventions.

Patient’s progress or lack thereof as it correlates to individualized treatment goals is reflected in documentation

  • Reviews, changes, modifies or terminates treatment based on patient response or significant change in the patient’s functioning
  • Provides assessment, weekly notes, monthly summaries, and activity logs for assigned individual patients
  • Understands how to navigate the BEHR system in order to obtain needed information
  • Performs other job duties as assigned
  • Qualifications

    Minimum Qualifications:

    Experience Only:

    Five (5) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

    OR

    Education and Experience:
    A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to five (5) years

    Conditions of Employment
    • Full background check and reference check required

    • This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position

    • Motor Vehicle Check , if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an on-going capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc.

    • Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License or an non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border

    • Out-of-State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of employment start date

    • Other Conditions of Employment specific to Program

    • Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

    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.

    • Shall not initiate or engage in sexual, social, personal or financial relationships with patients either during or anytime 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • Travel –Willing and able to travel
    • 2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire
    • Annual influenza vaccination
    • Exposure to house cleaning chemicals
    CDHS Selection Process Explanation

    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:
      1. Relevant years of state service experience.

    Minimum Qualification Screening Process

    A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position.

    You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process.

    You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."

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

    Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review

    After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve a review and rating of all the information you submit.

    Your Work Experience/Job Duties

    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.

    Supplemental Questions

    Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

    Appeal Rights

    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 (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), 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

    Additional Information

    Supplemental Information

    How to apply to the State of Colorado(Youtube Video, Runtime 3:59, Closed Captions Available)

    The Assessment Process

    For additional recruiting questions, please contact ellie.cassio@state.co.us

    About Us & Benefits

    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:


    Our Values

    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


  • ADA Accommodations

    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 cdhs_ada@state.co.us.


    EEO Statement

    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.

    Additional Support For Your Application

    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.

    Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

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    Posted on NEOGOV: 2/4/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/5/2026

    Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-colorado-5216707