Licensed Practical Nurse III - Float Clinic - CMHHIP

State of Colorado•Pueblo, CO

20d•Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse III - Float Clinic provides direct nursing care to patients under the direction of a Registered Nurse at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP), a 24-hour behavioral health acute care facility serving patients with psychiatric and medical needs. The role includes patient comfort and safety, observing and documenting patient conditions and responses to medication and treatment, providing preventative and practical nursing services, administering authorized medications and treatments, and participating in patient care plans. LPNs work in security settings and follow procedures to protect their own safety and the safety of others. In the clinic, the nurse coordinates with internal and external providers, admissions personnel, scheduling staff, transport staff, unit staff, and other departments to support daily medical and specialty clinics, patient admissions, continuity of care, and emergent evaluations. The position rotates among clinic areas, including the High Security Forensic Institute and Admissions/Surgical Clinics, and may provide coverage on other shifts, days, units, or CMHHIP locations. It also provides on-unit nursing care and direction to unit nursing staff when assigned to cover a unit shift. The position is full-time and 100% in person at CMHHIP in Pueblo. The listed available shift is Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM; shift details may be discussed during the interview and work arrangements may change. Applicants must be current Colorado residents. The position requires a current LPN license, IV certification, and three years of related professional experience, subject to the stated education substitution. Employment is contingent on required background checks, orientation and competency assessments, physical ability to perform specified interventions, and other listed conditions of employment.

Requirements

Current, valid Licensed Practical Nurse licensure from the Colorado Board of Nursing or a state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
Completion of a Board-approved IV certification course, including supervised clinical experience, or documentation of completion in another state; maintain original documentation and demonstrated IV knowledge, judgment, and skill, and follow approved written IV policies and procedures.
Three years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the assigned work; appropriate education may substitute for up to two years of required experience on a year-for-year basis.
Complete all modules of the CMHHIP New Employee Orientation core curriculum, including English reading comprehension, competency assessments, and written and practical Defensive Tactics exams.
Physical ability to complete hospital-adopted physical interventions and CPR, including the listed movements, strength, agility, restraint, and defensive tasks.
Ability to see and hear sufficiently to observe, address, and respond to potential safety breaches; ability to read and comprehend English and communicate effectively and fluently in English verbally and in writing.
Ability to work in settings involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person, and restraint situations, and to defend oneself or others to prevent injury.
Ability to work in fluctuating noise and temperatures, potentially outdoors in inclement weather or in concrete-floor and concrete-wall settings; willingness and ability to travel.
Complete required background screening, including CBI and FBI fingerprint checks, Colorado Court Database, Medicare Fraud Database, TRAILS Database, and CAPS checks.
Report without delay or interruption when needed to provide essential or emergency services for health, safety, and welfare.
Comply with restrictions on personal, social, sexual, or financial relationships with current or former patients and disclose relationships as required.
Complete a two-step TB screening upon hire and receive annual influenza vaccination and other vaccinations required by the State of Colorado.
If holding a multistate eNLC license and changing primary residence to another eNLC state, apply for a license in that state within 60 days.
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose this on the application, explain why it should not disqualify them, and provide their prior employee number.
Applicants must be current Colorado residents.
Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented in the official State of Colorado application; part-time experience is prorated.

Nice To Haves

Relevant years of State service experience.

Responsibilities

Provide direct nursing care under the direction of a Registered Nurse, including supporting patient comfort and safety, observing patient conditions, documenting responses to medication and treatment, administering authorized medications and treatments, and participating in patient care plans.
Coordinate with internal and external providers to meet patient-care needs during scheduled medical and specialty clinics, and anticipate provider needs to help clinics run smoothly.
Review and collect medical and legal information related to hospital admissions before patient arrival.
Document patient education, acute care needs, and continuity of care according to hospital policy, and collaborate with providers and admissions personnel to ensure nursing reviews meet standards of care.
Routinely check clinic equipment, report malfunctions and potential hazards, maintain inventory, and ensure supplies are not outdated.
Maintain a safe and therapeutic clinic environment and counsel and educate patients about medications, physical care, and psychiatric care in collaboration with providers.
Communicate provider-ordered treatments and care delivered in the clinic to unit staff and others as needed, and follow nursing standards and hospital policies and procedures.
Participate in scheduled emergency drills and maintain CPR and other mandatory clinical training and competencies.
Track, trend, and follow up on immunizations and administer TB testing for employee health as appropriate for CDHS and contract staff.
Rotate among clinic areas, including HSFI and Admissions/Surgical Clinics, and maintain proficiency in clinic operations across locations.
Coordinate with clinic scheduling and transport staff to arrange emergent evaluations and follow-up appointments appropriately.
Complete required Cornerstone education, maintain LPN III competencies, and participate in the annual Nursing Competency Fair as a participant and instructor.
Cover other shifts, days, or CMHHIP locations to help ensure clinic and hospital staffing during operating hours.
Maintain communication with providers, unit and clinic nursing staff, coworkers, supervisors, customers, and other departments regarding clinic operations, patient status, and scheduling.
Collaborate with the Clinic Supervisor and Department of Public Safety and Transport staff to coordinate transport of high-security patients.
Assist with patient and peer education, orientation, and training using adult learning methods; notify the supervisor about problems, concerns, or changes affecting care in the Clinic or ECT Recovery Room.
Ensure ongoing HIPAA and Joint Commission compliance.
When covering an assigned unit shift, provide and review nursing care, direct unit nursing staff, respond to psychiatric and medical issues, implement Positive Behavior Interventions and Support modalities, and promote their principles.
Follow up on nursing care and documentation, including seclusion and restraint monitoring, respiratory services, oxygen and equipment, and after-hours laboratory services.
Maintain infection-control standards, work within the LPN scope of practice, follow the nursing process, administer medications and treatments, facilitate Nursing Core Groups, respond to emergencies, and maintain a safe treatment milieu.
Perform other assigned duties within the scope of practice for the position.

Benefits

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
Work-life programs, including flexible schedules and training
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program