Clinical Security Officer I - Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan (Denver)

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Colorado Mental Health Hospital at Fort Logan (CMHHIFL) is expanding its hospital by adding 16 forensic beds to its current 138 patient beds. This expansion will assist in its mission of providing Colorado with the best behavioral health care available. CMHHIFL is dedicated to meeting the needs of the community by providing mental health treatment to the adult population in the metro area. The mission of CMHHIFL is to provide the highest quality mental health services to adults with complex, serious and persistent mental illness within the resources available. CMHHIFL is dedicated to promoting Trauma Informed Care and promoting the implementation of Trauma Informed Practices within the organization. Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. This is an in-person position requiring shift work. The Safety Department exists to maintain the safety and security of the CMHHIFL campus. Duties of the Safety Department include maintaining a safe environment for patients, personnel, and visitors, providing assistance to the clinical staff in the various types of patient treatment programs, assisting with the management of aggressive/assaultive individuals, and monitoring and evaluating the impact of applicable laws and regulations. The Safety Department staff follows accepted practices including policies and procedures. The department supports patient care and the safety of buildings, grounds, equipment, occupants, and internal physical systems. This work unit reports and resolves situations that pose a threat to life, health, or property. This position exists to ensure a safe work environment through application of and adherence to CMHHIFL/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 nursing and clinical staff to ensure a safe and therapeutic environment. This position assists with environmental safety checks and on unit/campus transports to treatment programming and meals.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)
Must be 21 years of age or older
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 CMHHIFL 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 CPI and CPR
Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist
Stabilize another person to accomplish a take down.
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

Nice To Haves

College education in a behavioral health and or justice related field.
Experience working with adjudicated and/or detained within a secure residential facility and/or a behavioral health setting
Experience facilitating psychoeducational groups
Education/experience working with adolescents who have trauma
Experience utilizing verbal de-escalation and motivational techniques.
Skilled in conflict management.
Strong work ethic, integrity and dependability.
Sound judgment and decision making skills.
Self control, composure and the ability to manage stressful situations.
Ability to verbally communicate clearly and willingness to do so respectfully
Ability to identify and act on changes, inappropriate activity, hazards or potential security breaches and verbally communicate pertinent information.
Ability to study information and recount events in a written, factual, concise, and legible method.
Relevant years of state service experience.

Responsibilities

Respond to hospital staff requests for assistance.
Perform supportive actions and approved physical intervention techniques, as necessary.
Maintain safety and security throughout the hospital by responding to psychiatric emergencies and non-emergency situations.
Exercise sound judgment and emotional control when evaluating possible risk while taking into consideration the physical and mental well-being of all patients and staff.
Participate in defusing and debriefing all incidents.
Actively uses effective communication skills, Verbal Defense Interventions (VDI) skills and Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) skills when interacting with patients and staff in a positive and respectful manner.
Support patient transport needs when appropriate.
Provide hospital security and enforcement by patrol and observation designed to detect, prevent and control security incidents at CMHHIFL.
Document reports of criminal activity.
Provide traffic surveillance and parking control.
Maintain hospital safety via routine physical checks.
Perform monthly safety inspections of clinical units.
Identify security violations and safety hazards and take necessary actions to correct the problem (i.e. initiation of work orders, contact DFM personnel, reporting to appropriate person, etc.)
Perform monthly fire drills and evaluate staff to insure efficient training.
Transport/escort clients and staff to and from various locations on and off hospital grounds (i.e. Admissions, medical appointments, court, CMHIP, etc.)
Perform entries into various security-sensitive areas (After-Hours Pharmacy, Central Medical Supply, Medical Records, Finance/Safe, etc.) with/without staff assistance.
Communicates with other police agencies, acting as liaison between Fort Logan and police and sheriff department around the metro area, the State, and the Nation.