MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN I - Continuity of Treatment Office- CMHHIP

State of Colorado•Pueblo, CO

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is open to current Colorado residents only. Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP) is a 24-hour behavioral health acute care facility that provides a safe, secure, and therapeutic setting for patients with both psychiatric and medical issues. The services provided include evaluation and treatment for patients who are severely mentally ill, with the goal of returning patients to their optimal level of functioning and assisting them in returning to the community as appropriate. The Continuity of Treatment Department's purpose is to enhance, increase, and support treatment programming in all CMHHP patient units by managing clinical staff call-offs and deployment to minimize clinical treatment and activities cancellations. The department provides clinical training and education on specific treatment approaches and therapeutic and group facilitating skills to mental health clinicians and other clinical staff within the hospital to enhance patient treatment outcomes. The department develops and implements staffing systems to assure treatment and activities are ongoing and not canceled. The department tracks group/activities compliance, clinical staff call-off and backfill data, as well as data on treatment/activities groups cancellations. The department maintains all clinical programming schedules, staff schedules, protocols, and group tracking systems. Staff have an understanding of and experience working with patients with mental health issues, substance abuse issues, developmental disabilities, physical handicaps, legal issues, and multiple psychiatric diagnoses. The legal status of patients may include incompetent-to-proceed, competency exams, not guilty by reason of insanity, short-term or long-term admission, or long-term extension. The unit goal is to assist in treating the severely mentally ill, return them to their optimal level of functioning, and assist them in returning to the community as appropriate. As a Mental Health Clinician I, the incumbent's primary goal is to help patients with mental illness build the skills they need to recover. In this role, the incumbent will work directly with adults and adolescents, leading educational groups and activities that support their treatment goals. The incumbent is not just a teacher but a key part of the safety net, keeping the treatment environment calm, responding to emergencies, and acting as a vital link between the patients and the medical team.

Requirements

Three (3) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position OR A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position (i.e., Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Counseling, Criminal justice, Sociology, or Education) equal to three (3) years
Full background and reference checks required.
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.
Successfully pass all modules of the CMHHIP 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 complete MANDT and CPR successfully
Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist
Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled containment to the floor
Withstand impact on own body using an ASP shield
Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for using a defensive tactic
Kneel on one or both knees and stand up again with multiple repetitions
Must be able to see and hear 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
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
2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening
Influenza vaccination
Other vaccinations as required by the State of Colorado CDHS

Nice To Haves

Experience starting and leading behavioral health groups or activities.
Experience following, updating, and documenting progress on a patient’s personalized treatment plan.
Experience working within a locked facility
Experience working with the State of Colorado

Responsibilities

Talk and connect with patients to help support their journey toward getting better.
Run educational classes and activities once trained and cleared to do so.
Help senior staff lead specialized therapy groups (like DBT) if you have the right training.
Start scheduled programs on time and lead patients through exercises.
Help patients with their concerns. If unable to fix it, point them to a patient rights advocate.
Walk patients safely to and from different treatment areas or "malls."
Use knowledge and training to calm down tense situations or disruptive behavior.
Respond immediately if a patient has a mental health emergency.
Watch for changes in a patient’s mood or physical health (like pain) and tell the Nurse (RN) right away.
Know which patients need extra 1-on-1 supervision or have special medical needs before you start your shift.
Respond quickly whenever a distress or "duress" alarm goes off.
Keep the treatment areas orderly and make sure all paperwork is finished.
Know and follow the hospital’s safety, infection control, and emergency manuals.
Follow the staff Code of Conduct and ethics rules at all times.
Safely walk patients to the yard, gym, family visits, or court hearings.
Log patient attendance and progress in the digital tracking systems (BEHR).
Make sure all your mandatory training and certifications are up to date.
If harassment or violence is seen in the workplace, report it to a supervisor or security immediately.
Join morning team meetings and treatment planning sessions when schedule allows.
Listen well and keep teammates and supervisors in the loop to prevent problems before they happen.
Communicate verbally depending on who you are speaking to (patients vs. doctors) to keep the environment positive.
If there is an allegation of abuse, tell the Charge Nurse and supervisor immediately and contact public safety.
Tell the Nurse right away if a patient mentions hurting themselves or others.
If something is broken or dangerous in the building, report it to the person in charge.
Complete any other tasks assigned that fit within your general job level and skills.

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
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program