MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN I - Continuity of Treatment Office- CMHHIP

Full Job Description

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.
The purpose of the Continuity of Treatment Department is to enhance, increase and support treatment programming in all CMHHP patient units by managing clinical staff call-offs and deployment in order to minimize clinical treatment and activities cancellations. The goal of the department is to maintain clinical staffing levels which will assist with patient stabilization, treatment and discharge preparedness. The department provides clinical training and education on specific treatment approaches, therapeutic and group facilitating skills to mental health clinicians and other clinical staff within the hospital to enhance patient treatment outcomes.. The work unit develops and implements staffing systems to assure treatment and activities are ongoing and not canceled. The department tracks group/activities compliance, clinical staff call-off and backfill data as well as data on treatment/activities groups cancellations. The department maintains all clinical programming schedules, staff schedules, protocols and group tracking systems. Staff have an understanding of and experience working with patients with mental health issues, substance abuse issues, developmental disabilities, physical handicaps, legal issues and multiple psychiatric diagnoses. The legal status of patients may include incompetent-to-proceed, competency exams, not guilty by reason of insanity, short-term or long-term admission or long-term extension. The unit goal is to assist in treating the severely mentally ill, return them to their optimal level of functioning and assist them in returning to the community as appropriate.

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

Requirements

100% In-Person Working Arrangements

Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo is a 24-hour facility

Sunday (8 am-5 pm), Monday - Thursday (11 am - 8 pm) OR Tuesday - Friday (11 am - 8 pm), Saturday (8 am - 5 pm)

This position will comply with the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health/Division of Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo /Unit: Continuity of Treatment current working arrangements.

Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time.

About the Position:
This position exists to provide therapeutic work in the psychiatric care and treatment of adults and adolescents with acute and chronic mental illness. The Mental Health Clinician I utilizes psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery principles and techniques in all aspects of their assigned responsibilities. The position facilitates educational groups and activities and is a co-facilitator with MHC II, SW, Psychology, OT, RT. This position works under the supervision and direction of departments Clinical Manager (HP V) and is trained by the Clinical Educator; follows protocols and curriculum developed by the MHC II and CoT Clinical Trainers (HP II, HP III); must have competencies signed off by the MHC II and/or Clinical Educator or Clinical Manager before facilitating groups/activities; monitors and intervenes to ensure a safe and therapeutic patient milieu and provides immediate crisis intervention when indicated. Other duties in this position include:

• Engage with patients to build supportive relationships for their recovery.
• Facilitate educational and activity groups as scheduled by the Clinical Manager after showing competency.
• Co-facilitate groups like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)if properly trained.*Lead or start scheduled programming exercises.
• Address patient issues when possible and refer to the rights advocate as needed.
• Escort patients to activities within treatment areas (Treatment Malls).
• Use therapeutic methods to manage crises and disruptive behaviors.
• Respond quickly to a patient's psychiatric crisis.
• Report changes in patient conditions or complaints, like pain, to the unit RN.
• Stay aware of all 1:1 care, special precautions, and medical or psychiatric issues for each patient.
• Respond to duress alarms.
• Ensure all assigned duties are completed and documented.
• Provide coverage in all units, groups, and activities as assigned.
• Manage the environment in all assigned treatment areas.
• Facilitate groups and activities on units and in treatment malls as assigned.
• Recognize and report signs and symptoms needing further intervention to the treatment team.

• Knows and follows CMHIP standards: Treatment Plans, Infection Control Manual, Rainbow Book, and Emergency Guides. Maintains infection control standards and regulations.
• Adheres to the CMHIP Employee Code of Conduct and CMHHP’s Ethics policies.
• Complies with all competencies related to MHC I and uses the chain of command.
• Provides safe transport of patients to treatment locations like the yard, gym, visits, and court sites.
• Documents in BEHR and Group Tracker for educational and activity groups led by MHC II.
• Knows how to access the department's drive on the computer for protocols, curriculum, and policies.
• Ensures all required training is current per CMHHP policies.
• Reports any claims of harassment or workplace violence to public safety, CoT supervisor or the CoT director as appropriate.
• Participates in Continuity of Treatment meetings and assigned unit morning meetings as schedule allows.

• Communicates well by listening and sharing information with co-workers, supervisors, and customers. This helps anticipate problems and keeps the department effective.
• Adjusts communication methods for different audiences to create a positive environment.
• Maintains appropriateness in all communications with co-workers and patients.
• Actively gathers reports on 1:1, SP II, medical, and psychiatric issues for each patient in scheduled groups.
• Helps address patient complaints at the unit level.
• Reports abuse allegations right away to the charge nurse and immediate supervisor, and refers to public safety.
• Notifies the unit RN about any changes in patient status, including suicidal or homicidal thoughts, and the need for team intervention.
• Completes and sends paperwork to the right area or person, including incident reports and job-related injuries.
• Identifies and reports any hazardous environmental issues to the Charge RN or PT

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only:

Three (3) 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 three (3) years

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with initiating/leading behavioral health group/activities
• Experience with initiating/conducting individual patient one-to-one sessions
• Experience with review, adherence, and documentation toward a patient's Individualized Plan of Care
• Experience/ability to identify and develop groups based on patient-specific treatment needs

Conditions of Employment:

• Full background and reference checks 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.
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License or a 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.
• May be required to work evening or weekend shifts, holidays, voluntary or mandatory overtime, both in the clinic, or on patient units throughout CMHHIP
• May be required to work overtime as needed on a shift or weekend, not part of scheduled hours

Shall not initiate or engage in sexual, social, personal, or financial relationships with patients either during or at 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

• 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 complete CTI and CPR successfully;
• 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
• Influenza vaccination
• Other vaccinations as required by the State of Colorado

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

  • Disclose that information on the application.

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

  • 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

CDHS Selection Process Explanation

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hours 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.

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. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from an eSkills Test.

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 Statewide Hiring Freeze NON-EXEMPTED position ONLY:

  • This job offer is contingent upon funding availability from all sources, including state and federal (if applicable), to start or continue.

• For additional recruiting questions, please contact Annette.Torrez@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:

• 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.

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.