CDOC (Social Worker/Counselor III) Mental Health Clinician - (DENVER)

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Clinician provides mental health care to inmates in the Colorado Department of Corrections who have mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or elevated risk of suicide and self-injury. The caseload primarily consists of inmates with moderate to high mental health treatment needs. The position is based at one of several facilities in Denver, Colorado, and the posting may be used to fill future vacancies at this location.

The clinician develops treatment plans, provides individual and group therapy, and conducts routine assessments and interviews to evaluate progress. The role includes updating diagnoses and psychiatric needs levels, referring inmates for more complex psychological assessment, and providing psychiatry with relevant client history, previous diagnoses, and alternative treatment information. The clinician participates in a 24-hour on-call system, coordinates transfers during mental health crises, provides clinical direction to non-clinical staff, and supports continuity of care during transitions between units, facilities, and agencies.

Applicants must hold a qualifying active Colorado license and meet the stated licensed or license-candidacy experience requirement. The position also requires successful completion of corrections training and medical, background, and drug screening, along with the ability to perform the listed physical and safety-related duties. Employees may be assigned rotating shifts, including days, afternoons, and nights.

Requirements

• Hold a valid, active Colorado license as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Psychologist, or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
• Have at least one year of licensed or license-candidacy experience with current valid Colorado licensure, including the specified candidate licenses, working with the mental health and/or sex offender population.
• Possess and maintain a valid Colorado license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
• Demonstrate self-control and the ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations while remaining alert, emotionally stable, mentally resilient, and observant.
• Tolerate stress, confinement, and high-stakes interactions.
• Know how to conduct crisis assessment and counseling using therapist manuals, protocols, and agency or facility security policies.
• Effectively interact with offenders.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills; read and comprehend English and communicate fluently in English verbally and in writing.
• Create accessible documents and technical content that follow plain-language guidelines.
• Be at least 21 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license; maintain a valid, non-restricted Colorado driver’s license and meet state driving-record requirements for operating a state vehicle.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED.
• Have no felony convictions and meet the stated restrictions regarding sexual abuse, sexual offenses, and related adjudications for people who may contact offenders.
• Have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; H-1B sponsorship is not available.
• Successfully pass all modules of the six-week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, including reading comprehension, competency assessments, and written and practical defensive-tactics exams.
• Have the physical ability to complete Defensive Tactics and perform the listed physical tasks, including controlling or subduing violent or assaultive persons and defending oneself or others.
• Be able to see and hear to observe and respond to safety and security issues; demonstrate body agility, limb strength, and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently.
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control, or restraint; communicate with people across varied moods, behaviors, backgrounds, and needs.
• Work in fluctuating noise and temperatures, potentially outdoors in inclement weather or in concrete-floor and wall settings; be willing and able to travel.
• Be willing and able to work various shifts, including days, afternoons, and nights, on a rotating schedule.
• Complete tuberculosis screening upon hire, pass a background investigation and drug test, and comply with ongoing random drug screening.
• Consent to the required medical screening and be certified as able to perform the essential functions of the position.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing mental health counseling to inmates and experience with crisis intervention.
• Experience conducting suicide risk assessments.
• Experience working as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Develop mental health treatment plans for inmates.
• Provide individual and group therapy.
• Conduct routine mental health assessments and interviews to determine treatment progress.
• Update inmate diagnoses and psychiatric needs levels.
• Refer inmates to psychology for more complex psychological assessments.
• Provide psychiatry with client history, previous diagnoses, and information about alternative treatment options.
• Participate in the 24-hour on-call system.
• Arrange emergency and non-emergency transfers for inmates experiencing acute mental health crises.
• Provide clinical direction to non-clinical staff regarding inmate mental health care and treatment.
• Support continuity of care by making appropriate referrals and providing information and documentation for transitions to receiving units, facilities, or agencies.

Benefits

• PERA defined benefit or defined contribution retirement plans, plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
• Medical and dental health plans.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid life insurance.
• 11 paid holidays per year, plus vacation and sick leave.
• Wellness program.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Training opportunities.
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the state system.

What This Job Offers

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