Clinical Safety Specialist I - CMHHIP

State of Colorado • Pueblo, CO

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position exists to ensure a safe work environment through application of and adherence to CMHHIP/CDHS policies, Joint Commission Standards, Life Safety Codes and Colorado Revised Statutes. The position responds to crisis situations (i.e physical or verbal assaults against persons or property, suicidal behavior) following hospital policies and procedures, assists with documenting incidents related to safety violations in patient-care areas, works with the treatment teams, and assists nursing and clinical staff to ensure a safe and therapeutic environment. This position assists with environmental safety checks and on unit/on campus transports to treatment programming and meals.

Requirements

• High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
• Possess and maintain a valid U.S. driver's license
• Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare
• 2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire
• Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position.
• 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
• 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
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety
• 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.
• Annual influenza vaccination
• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• college education (preferably 2 years or more) in behavioral health and/or juvenile justice related field
• experience facilitating psychoeducational groups
• education/experience working with patients who have trauma experience
• working with patients in positive leadership roles, such as mentoring and coaching
• experience utilizing verbal de-escalation and motivational techniques.
• experience working in a high security locked environment
• experience working with patients who suffer from mental illness
• Relevant years of state service experience.

Responsibilities

• Work involves providing safety and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre-adjudicated patients in a locked/unlocked setting.
• Supervises for safety of appropriate staff, location, mobility and continual observation of patients.
• Provide immediate intervention in crisis situations, to include responding to and assisting in verbally threatening or physically violent patients, providing approved verbal de-escalation, and physical interventions, monitoring for escape of and maintaining contact with unit staff.
• Exercise sound judgment and emotional control when evaluating possible risk taking into consideration the physical and mental well-being of all patients and staff.
• Participate in defusing and debriefing all incidents.
• Actively use effective communication skills, non-escalation skills as taught in the hospital approved external control therapeutic techniques when interacting with patients and staff in a positive and respectful manner.
• Monitor movement of patients in the unit or throughout the building.
• Maintains hypervigilance and alertness throughout the shift.
• Escort and transport to internal activities or appointments (e.g., Admissions, medical appointments, court hearing, visits,, etc.)
• Assist with external appointments/hospital visits if needed for special circumstances when DPS is unavailable which will be approved by the Chief Nursing Officer or designee.
• Conduct unit and room searches to include property and areas according to the search schedule or as needed.
• Check windows, doors, all aspects of locking mechanisms on unit and treatment areas to minimize escape risk.
• Performs monthly safety inspections of clinical units as assigned.
• Identify safety violations and safety hazards and work with the treatment team to take necessary actions to correct the problem.
• Monitor patients and visitors during visitation times.
• Search visitors and property entering the facility prior to contact with the patient.
• Actively and with positive engagement, follow policies and program procedures.
• Use prevailing techniques to establish rapport with patients, overcome resistance to change, communicate more effectively in stable circumstances as well as unsettled circumstances.
• Support CMHHIP initiatives and strategies as it relates to patient programming and crisis intervention.
• Objectively and fairly monitor, record patient behaviors, and intervene according to program standards related to privileges and consequences.
• Monitor visitation by ensuring visitors and patients adhere to hospital policies and procedures.
• Follow daily program schedules based on standards.
• Recommend any modifications or program to supervisory and/or clinical staff.
• Facilitate, monitor cleanup of pod/rooms and inspect, according to daily schedule.
• Escort patients to recreation, treatment groups, canteen, library and meals according to standards, patient’s condition and daily program schedule.
• Meet with the treatment team to discuss programming issues.
• Provide safety presence in common areas providing a safer and more therapeutic environment.
• Respond to crisis situations and assist staff in gaining control of hostile situations.
• Assist with daily unit functions such as wellness checks and complete one full wellness check per shift, accompany staff assigned to wellness checks twice per hour, escorting patients, attend cross-shift reports and implement behavior plans as directed by the clinical team.
• Respond to duresses or incidents when called upon on other units as needed.
• Maintain milieu and provide safety of the unit using clinical interventions before hands on response communicating with the Charge Nurse to establish behavior interventions.
• Provide and assist with behavioral 1:1 coverage as needed.
• Report and complete an incident report of all known or suspected incidents of abuse as mandatory reporters pursuant to prevailing statute.
• Demonstrate, support and contribute to a healthy, positive and respectful cultural climate throughout the facility.
• Communicates with internal/external customers, residents, subordinate staff and co-workers in a professional manner; ensuring to communicate with respect and dignity.
• Adhere to the CDHS Code of Conduct and all CMHHIP and nursing policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and adhere to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy and implementing procedures.
• Adhere to CDHS, CMHHIP Procedures regarding work schedule, timekeeping and leave practices.
• Attend and actively participate in all CMHHIP/CDHS approved training and external control techniques.
• This position must successfully complete any/all testing or other requirements for such training.
• Meet and keep current all mandatory training pursuant to prevailing CDHS/CMHHIP Policy.
• Participate and conduct monthly drills.
• Any other duties that may arise while completing the tasks of this position to meet the needs of the unit and Department.
• Provides coverage for meeting staffing needs of the unit.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED