Nursing Residency Program - Nurse I - CMHHIP - Pueblo

State of Colorado•Pueblo, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is part of the RN Residency Program at Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP), a one-year program designed to equip novice Registered Nurses (RNs) with the knowledge and skills necessary for high-quality mental health care in a safe and secure environment. The program includes orientation, mentorship from experienced RNs, reflection, theory, practical hands-on experience, and an evidence-based project to foster learning and build confidence. The RN Residency Program aims to improve discretionary judgment, organizational, and time management skills.

Requirements

Must possess a valid, active Registered Nurse License issued by the State of Colorado (Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) OR any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)).
Ability to maintain required licensure/credentials.
Ability to read and comprehend the English language; effectively and fluently communicates in English, both verbally and in writing.
Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety.
Willing and able to travel.
2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire.
Annual influenza vaccination, other vaccinations as required by the State of Colorado.
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 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 successfully complete hospital-adopted physical interventions and CPR.
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.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Graduate from a Nursing Program within the last 12 months.
No current RN work experience.
No previous work experience at CMHHIP.
A strong work ethic based on a foundation of self-motivation, loyalty, honesty, and integrity.
Dependable, responsible, and adaptable.
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services, this includes needs assessment.
Knowledge of human behavior and performance, individual difference in ability, personality, and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Knowledgeable in nursing processes.
Active Listening and communication.
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong; to include not only solving the problem but recognizing there is a problem.
The ability to speak and write effectively, providing valid and pertinent information to peers, coworkers, and subordinates.
Monitoring/Assessing performance.
Organization Skills.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic form.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office software, excel spreadsheet, database software and email.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the direction of all nursing staff on the assigned shift and unit while working in conjunction with the Nurse Manager.
Helps direct assignments in conjunction with the staff schedule by utilizing knowledge of acuity, and pool staff to maximize the quality of care given to unit patients on the unit.
Communicates personnel needs to the Nurse Manager immediately.
Responsible for helping the Nurse Manager to ensure all nursing services provided on the assigned unit are delivered correctly.
Ensures all nursing assignments and duties are completed and in compliance with CMHHIP policies and psychiatric and medical nursing standards, licensure requirements, and governing bodies while working in conjunction with the Nurse Manager.
Notifies unit nursing staff promptly of changes to processes, policies, and procedures through communication methods to include Cornerstone Rosters, meetings, email, and individual contact.
Conducts individual clinical supervision sessions regularly.
Communicates regularly with other disciplines and department leadership regarding nursing directives and disseminates information as appropriate.
Receives interpretation of other leadership communication to understand changes that may or may not directly impact the nursing department.
Functions as the charge nurse for the shift and reports any injury of staff from assaultive/combative patients, other employee absences, and/or any other safety or nursing concerns to the Nurse Managers promptly.
Utilizes resources available in the Staffing Office.
Maintains nursing standards of care for their assigned shift on the unit by creating and maintaining processes to communicate and follow up with assigned staff so that standards are kept in compliance.
Adheres to CDHS Code of Conduct and CMHHIP Code of Ethics.
Maintains current knowledge of new policies, standards, updates, and literature related to nursing and specialty areas and communicates this to subordinates.
Notifies nursing supervisors promptly of issues on the unit with patients and nursing staff members.
Works collaboratively with all departments and provides assistance when needed.
Provides guidance and direction for daily cross-shift report, directs nursing care and communication to shift personnel.
Assures the unit(s) is directed and staffed appropriately according to hospital procedure along with assuring staffing levels are maintained and accurate.
Implements actions to maximize the productivity of assigned nursing personnel by mentoring, training, leadership, and providing feedback through immediate feedback and guidance.
Ensures assigned staff’s knowledge and fluency with electronic system BEHR, Cornerstone assignments to include mandatory rosters and training.
Promotes staff development and training by supporting staff compliance with hospital-wide mandatory training.
Directs staff to follow various manuals, standards, and regulations to include but not limited to: DSM, Pharmacy Formulary, Treatment Plans, Infection Control Manual, Physicians Orders, Court orders, Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation Standards, Environment of Care Manual, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Safety Data Sheets, Colorado State Personnel Procedure Manual, Affirmative Action policy, Colorado Workers Compensation guidelines, Rainbow book and Emergency Guides, ADA statutes, Colorado Alliance for the Mentally Ill Recommendations, Patients Rights Handbook.
Acts as a resource for staff.
Provides direction and support to the assigned shift on the unit.
Knows and follows regulatory guidelines.
Responsible for the nursing care provided on the assigned shift of a unit and maintenance of a safe, secure, and therapeutic environment.
Promptly responds to patient’s psychiatric and/or medical issues, participates in Trauma Informed Care initiatives and understands and promotes its principles, implements, audits, and reviews nursing care provided on the shift/unit.
Provides follow up for proper nursing care; i.e., documentation for seclusion or seclusion and restraint monitoring, proper procedure for respiratory services, oxygen and oxygen equipment, and laboratory services after hours and obtaining data from the AED.
Participates and ensures staff correctly identify patients prior to administration of medications, treatments, blood testing, or starting an invasive procedure.
Follows and maintains Infection control standards and regulations.
Evaluates concerns related to nursing care plan by assessing, identifying, planning, implementing, evaluating, and revising the nursing care given based on the nursing history.
Utilizes Patient Rights for mental health legal issues and complies with policy and procedure in these areas.
Provides intervention in critical situations as necessary.
Counsels and educates patients on medications, physical care needs, and psychiatric care needs during group therapies, Plan of Care Reviews, Plan of Care Formulations, 1:1 therapies, talking and educating the patient's family.
Provides coverage on the shift/unit.
Ensures a safe milieu for patient treatment.
Reports staff and patient issues to the Nurse Manager if urgent.
Completes any other duties that may need to be completed for the shift/unit and or department.

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