Registered Nurse II - CMHHIP

State of Colorado • Pueblo, CO

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This posting will be used to fill Multiple Units. Positions are Full Time, have a fixed schedule, and provide essential direct care of patients across various units. These units range from High Security to Low Security settings, with a diverse patient population including adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients experiencing psychiatric disorders, criminal involvement, or medical complexities. Staff may work in units featuring locked or unlocked doors, depending on the level of security required. The purpose of this position is to provide nursing oversight, administrative oversight and lead worker over nursing personnel of three or more FTE’s on a continuous basis as well as clinical supervision of all nursing staff during a specific shift. Provide direction to all direct care nursing staff on assigned shift(s). Serve as a resource and mentor to all nursing staff on assigned shift. Promote and maintain nursing staff efficiency. Oversee the attainment and achievement of Unit/Program/Hospital/Nursing Department goals for the specified shift. Primary duties consist of providing directions to nursing staff for the shift and providing therapeutic nursing care to mentally ill patients. Represents the Nursing Department in hospital-wide committees and work groups. Applications of knowledge, expertise and experience in providing safe and effective patient care. Provide immediate crisis intervention in the milieu and response to all emergency situations. The Nurse II works in tandem with other staff assigned to the unit on that shift. The Nurse II works within multiple levels of patient care and is coordinated across a continuum. The Nurse II adheres to and references the professional codes of conduct, regulatory agency standards, the Nurse Practice Act, State Board of Nursing, professional codes of ethics, and scope of discipline practice guides to ensure various levels of nursing personnel function within their scope of practice. The Nurse II is responsible for communicating, implementing, and clarifying nursing policies at the unit level. Assisting with implementing performance improvements at the unit level along with procedures at the unit level. Participates in and collaborates with the Lead Nurse to prepare nursing personnel for onsite surveys, documentation requirements, and ensures quality of care is rendered according to the State Board of Nursing, The Joint Commission, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Department Personnel Rules and Regulations. Responsibilities also include the provision of safe, appropriate nursing care on the unit by effective deployment of nursing staff resources, ensuring enough staff with licenses on each shift, coordination and timely statistical reporting of incidents, acuity, QA/PI activities, implementation of department policies and standards of care, responsible for education of the nursing staff on their shift(s) and retention of nursing staff on their shift(s).

Requirements

• Current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)
• Two (2) years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations
• Must be able to lift up to 50+ pounds on occasion
• FULL BACKGROUND CHECK : This position will have direct contact with vulnerable persons (as defined by C.R.S.27-90-111: "Direct contact" means providing face-to-face care, training, supervision, counseling, consultation, or medication assistance to vulnerable persons, regardless of the level of supervision of the department employee. "Direct contact" may include positions in which persons have access to or unsupervised time with clients or patients, including but not limited to maintenance personnel, housekeeping staff, kitchen staff, and security personnel.)
• CBI & FBI fingerprint check, Colorado Court Database check, Medicare Fraud Database, TRAILS Database check.
• This position will also provide direct care to vulnerable adults requiring a CAPS check (as defined by C.R.S. 26-3.1-101, position provides services & support care to at-risk/vulnerable adults including case management, clergy, physical or mental health services, safety or welfare services).
• May work various shifts
• Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare
• A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons.
• Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position.
• 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; Must be able to see and hear in order 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 is required of all new employees upon hire; Annual influenza vaccination, other vaccinations as required by the State of Colorado.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must: Disclose that information on the application. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position. Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated ability to understand and apply the nursing process to provide adequate patient care
• Demonstrated ability to understand treatment plans and provide appropriate interventions
• Demonstrated ability to direct the shift through training, mentorship and development
• Posses a strong work ethic based on a foundation of: self-motivation, loyalty, honesty, and integrity.
• Dependable, responsible, and adaptable
• Previous State Experience
• Relevant years of state service experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direction to all direct care nursing staff on assigned shift(s).
• Serve as a resource and mentor to all nursing staff on assigned shift.
• Promote and maintain nursing staff efficiency.
• Oversee the attainment and achievement of Unit/Program/Hospital/Nursing Department goals for the specified shift.
• Provide therapeutic nursing care to mentally ill patients.
• Represents the Nursing Department in hospital-wide committees and work groups.
• Provide immediate crisis intervention in the milieu and response to all emergency situations.
• Adheres to and references the professional codes of conduct, regulatory agency standards, the Nurse Practice Act, State Board of Nursing, professional codes of ethics, and scope of discipline practice guides to ensure various levels of nursing personnel function within their scope of practice.
• Responsible for communicating, implementing, and clarifying nursing policies at the unit level.
• Assisting with implementing performance improvements at the unit level along with procedures at the unit level.
• Participates in and collaborates with the Lead Nurse to prepare nursing personnel for onsite surveys, documentation requirements, and ensures quality of care is rendered according to the State Board of Nursing, The Joint Commission, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Department Personnel Rules and Regulations.
• Provision of safe, appropriate nursing care on the unit by effective deployment of nursing staff resources, ensuring enough staff with licenses on each shift, coordination and timely statistical reporting of incidents, acuity, QA/PI activities, implementation of department policies and standards of care, responsible for education of the nursing staff on their shift(s) and retention of nursing staff on their shift(s).
• Responsible for the direction, clinical supervision and of all Nursing staff of the assigned unit while working in conjunction with the Lead Nurse.
• Assists in coordinating staffing schedules by utilizing knowledge of acuity, and pool staff to maximize the quality of care given to unit patients on the unit.
• Personnel needs are communicated to the Lead Nurse immediately.
• Responsible for helping the Lead Nurse to ensure all nursing services provided on the assigned unit are delivered correctly.
• Ensure 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 Lead Nurse.
• Unit nursing staff is notified promptly of changes to processes, policies and procedures through communication methods to include Cornerstone Rosters, meetings, email and individual contact.
• Individual clinical supervision sessions are conducted regularly.
• Communication is conducted regularly with other disciplines, department leadership regarding nursing directives and disseminates information as appropriate.
• Interpretation of other leadership communication is received 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 Lead Nurses promptly.
• 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, literature related to nursing and specialty areas is maintained and communicated to subordinates.
• Works collaboratively with all departments, providing assistance as required.
• 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.
• Responsible to act as a resource for staff.
• Provide 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 patient 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.
• Utilize Patient Rights for mental health legal issues and complies with policy and procedure in these areas.
• Provide 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.
• Provide coverage on the shift/unit.
• Ensures a safe milieu for patient treatment.
• Reports staff and patient issues to the Lead Nurse if urgent.
• 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
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level