Mental Health Clinician I (Part-time) - Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Clinician I provides therapeutic care to adults experiencing acute or chronic exacerbations of mental illness at Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan. Working under the supervision and direction of a registered nurse, the clinician establishes therapeutic relationships, supports psychiatric recovery, and uses psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery principles. The role includes observing, reporting, and documenting patients’ behavior, physical condition, and responses to medication and treatment; participating in treatment planning; maintaining a safe therapeutic milieu; and providing crisis intervention when needed. The clinician engages patients in individual interactions, psychoeducational groups, and activities that promote coping, interpersonal, and life-management skills. The clinician supports activities of daily living, advocates for patients’ rights and interests, communicates patient status to the treatment team, and helps patients identify positive supports. The role also includes monitoring unit safety, conducting safety checks, responding to aggressive or suicidal behavior using approved de-escalation and crisis-intervention techniques, monitoring patients during meals, and contributing to interdisciplinary treatment planning. This is a part-time position at Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan. Applicants must be Colorado residents. The position may involve day, evening, or night shifts, and shift differentials are offered for nights and weekends. The role is designated as essential services, requiring employees to report without delay or interruption when needed to provide essential or emergency services.

Requirements

Three years of relevant experience in customer service or in a hospital or mental health setting; alternatively, a combination of related education in psychology, sociology, human services, or biology and experience totaling three years.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license.
Must complete a full background check and reference check.
Must be able to work shifts that may include days, evenings, or nights.
Must report without delay or interruption when required to provide essential or emergency services.
May be exposed to bodily fluids or caustic chemicals.
Applicants must be residents of Colorado.
Applicants with prior state employment who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose that information and provide the requested explanation and employee number.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of knowledge and experience as a Mental Health Care Clinician I at a State of Colorado Mental Health Institute.
At least one year of professional inpatient mental health-care experience in a psychiatric locked or secure setting with patients who may become verbally or physically abusive.
Experience developing and running treatment groups.
Knowledge and experience with trauma-informed care and recovery principles and practices.
Outpatient mental health experience, including running groups or case management.
College or university education in nursing, psychology, sociology, human services, or education.
Relevant years of state service experience.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse.
Model professional boundaries and support patients’ psychiatric recovery and mental health.
Help patients develop insight into mental illness and identify ways to cope with or reduce distress and improve their quality of life.
Engage patients in regular one-on-one interactions and facilitate therapeutic psychoeducational groups and activities.
Act as a patient advocate and provide patients and families with support and education about patient rights; address or refer patient-rights concerns as appropriate.
Model solution-focused problem-solving strategies and support patients with activities of daily living, including hygiene, laundry, toileting, and showers as needed.
Maintain patients’ dignity and privacy; escort them to activities and appointments on hospital grounds and in the community, including driving them to appointments.
Maintain required paperwork and confidentiality, communicate patient whereabouts through unit sign-out systems, and keep the registered nurse and other staff informed about patient status and concerns.
Document patient care and responses to treatment as required by hospital policy.
Support patients in identifying positive supports, including family, friends, agencies, and staff.
Monitor the unit and maintain a safe, therapeutic milieu, including conducting safety checks and identifying and addressing safety violations or unsafe conditions.
Anticipate and intervene in crisis situations, including physical or verbal assaults and suicidal behavior, in accordance with nursing standards and hospital policies.
Use approved Verbal Defense and Influence and Crisis Prevention Intervention techniques to de-escalate aggressive behavior and reduce the risk of injury.
Engage patients in unit activities, impromptu groups, discussions, and games that support well-being and interpersonal skills.
Monitor patients’ needs for structure or downtime and collaborate with unit staff on appropriate interventions.
Monitor patients during meals for swallowing or choking concerns, food intake, and interactions; intervene and report concerns to the registered nurse.
Facilitate patient meetings and groups using appropriate group facilitation techniques.
Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and development of patient plans of care; contribute information and treatment approaches and advocate for patient input.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of the division and department.

Benefits

Shift differentials for nights and weekends, between 14% and 20% above base pay.
PERA defined benefit or defined contribution retirement 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 employee discount program through BenefitHub.
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.