Mental Health Clinician I - CMHI at Fort Logan (Forensic Unit)

Please Note: Anticipated Start Date is set for July 2022 

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

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About Fort Logan
The Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan (CMHIFL) is one of two state hospitals serving our community. The vision of CMHIFL is to provide the highest quality mental health services to persons with complex, serious, and persistent mental illness within the resources available. Our mission is to support those individuals in achieving their recovery goals and reaching their full potential. CMHIFL provides inpatient treatment to adult patients, generally between the ages of 18-59. The hospital currently has 94 adult inpatient beds, over four treatment units and is scheduled to open an additional 44 beds (2 units) in August 2022.  The 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 listed below, CMHIFL 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.
About this work unit:

This position exists to provide therapeutic work in the psychiatric care and treatment of adults with acute and chronic exacerbation of a mental illness.  Primary responsibilities are the application of knowledge, expertise and experience to establish a therapeutic relationship with the patient and provide safe and effective patient care.  Mental Health Clinicians utilize psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery principles and techniques in all aspects of their job duties.  This position works under the supervision and direction of a registered nurse and assists with psychiatric nursing care of mentally ill patients; observes, reports, and documents patient’s behavior, physical condition, and reactions to medications and treatment; participates in designing and implementing patient treatment plans; monitors and intervenes to ensure a safe and therapeutic patient milieu; and provides immediate crisis intervention when indicated.  

Summary of Duties:

• Under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse, engage with patients to establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship which supports the patient’s psychiatric recovery and mental health.
• Model and maintain professional boundaries with patients and their families.
• Assist patients in developing insight into their mental illness while exploring symptoms and ways of decreasing, coping with, or eliminating distress while eliciting ways to live a more productive, satisfying life. Engage in one on one interaction with patients regularly and guide therapeutic psycho-educational groups and activities with a focus on assisting patients to build interpersonal and life management skills.
• Assures a safe and therapeutic treatment environment through effective Milieu Management.
• Closely monitors and maintains surveillance of the unit to assure a safe milieu
• Work as part of the interdisciplinary team and participate in treatment planning and the development of the plan of care for patients.
• Other duties as assigned.

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

Experience:  One year full time professional experience providing therapeutic and related services to mental health patients in a mental health setting.

AND

Education:  Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree in psychology, sociology, social work, behavioral science, clinical mental health, nursing, child development, human services or closely related field.

This experience must be clearly documented on your application.  

Part-time experience will be pro-rated.

Substitutions:
Professional work experience that focused on the specific experience described above, demonstrating the competencies equivalent to the competencies learned through completion of the required education may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.

A Bachelor's Degree will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:  

• 1 years Knowledge and Experience as Mental Health Care Clinician I at a State of Colorado Mental Health Institute.
• 1  years professional inpatient mental health-care experience in a psychiatric locked/secure setting,
• 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.

Highly Desirable Competencies:

• Knowledge of oral and written communication skills,
• Knowledge and professional inpatient mental health-care experience
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting departmental and institutional policies and procedures,
•  Ability to work with and communicate with internal and external clients and customers to meet their needs in a polite, courteous, and cooperative manner and committed to quality service,
• Ability to perform with a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently,
• Ability to encourage and facilitate cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity,
• Ability to foster commitment and team spirit.
• Ability to express information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information,
• Ability to listen to others and respond appropriately,
• Ability to problem solve,
• Ability to execute decisions, Integrity, and Accountability

Conditions of employment:

• Full Background - Name check, TRAILS and Fingerprinting
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Shift Work – Explain: 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
• Colorado Driver's License
• May be exposed to bodily fluids or caustic chemicals.
• May need to travel to other state locations; transport patients to appointments within the community.
• 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.

• Effective September 20, 2021, this position will require documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. New employees will be required to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination within thirty (30) business days of hire. 

   

  Religious and medical exemptions and reasonable accommodation shall be addressed as required by law pursuant to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s vaccination guidance. If you would like to request a medical or religious exemption, please contact CDHS_HumanResources@state.co.us  

   

  Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the most recent State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and current guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

• On or after October 31, 2021, each facility shall ensure all newly hired employees, direct contractors, or support staff members are fully vaccinated at the time of hire, or receive their first dose of a two-dose protocol, or a single-dose vaccination, prior to providing any care, treatment, or other services for the facility and/or its clients.

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 (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
 
Please note that ONLY your State of Colorado job application will be reviewed during the initial screening; if you submit a resume and cover letter, they will be reviewed in later stages of the selection process.  Therefore, it is paramount that you clearly describe all of your relevant experience on the application itself.  Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered.
 
Your application will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications for the position.  If your application demonstrates that you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be invited to the comparative analysis process, which is described below.
 
Note: Current and former employees (transfers, voluntary demotions and reinstatements) are required to apply and participate in the comparative analysis process.

Comparative Analysis Process
 
The Assessment Process:
Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted through a comparative analysis. The comparative analysis for this position will include a review of your application material and your responses to any supplemental questions. Applications and responses will be reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to assess and rank applicants in order to establish an eligible list for referral to the hiring manager for final consideration.
 
Be sure the "Work Experience" section of your application is complete and specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, and accomplishments as they relate to the Description of the Job, Minimum Qualifications, Required Competencies and Preferred Qualifications as listed above. Resumes and "see resume" statements will not be accepted in lieu of the "Work Experience" section of the application. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions by the closing date may result in your application not being accepted and/or may affect your score, rank or inclusion in the final pool of eligible applicants.
 
If you have transcripts, a license or other relevant documentation regarding your qualifications, upload and attach copies to your application.
Note: Transfers, voluntary demotions and reinstatements are required to apply and participate in the selection process.
 
If you have recruitment questions about this position please contact leticia.tavarez@state.co.us
 
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive 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 Guidelines for EDI Compliance for Job Announcements in CO-Jobs Prepared by: Department of Personnel & Administration Division of Human Resources, Consulting Services Page 1 of 3 January 29, 2020 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.

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 ADAAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at  cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.

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:

• 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

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.  

Salary : $23