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

Job Title

This position exists to provide therapeutic work in the psychiatric care and treatment of adults with acute and chronic exacerbation of a mental illness.

Job Description

Primary responsibilities are the application of knowledge, expertise and experience to establish a therapeutic relationship with the patient and provide safe and effective patient care. Mental Health Clinicians utilize psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery principles and techniques in all aspects of their job duties. This position works under the supervision and direction of a registered nurse and assists with psychiatric nursing care of mentally ill patients; observes, reports, and documents patient's behavior, physical condition, and reactions to medications and treatment; participates in designing and implementing patient treatment plans; monitors and intervenes to ensure a safe and therapeutic patient milieu; and provides immediate crisis intervention when indicated.

Duties in this position include:

• Provide Therapeutic Patient Care: Under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse, engage with patients to establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship which supports the patient's psychiatric recovery and mental health. Model and maintain professional boundaries with patients and their families. Assist patients in developing insight into their mental illness while exploring symptoms and ways of decreasing, coping with, or eliminating distress while eliciting ways to live a more productive, satisfying life. Engage in one-on-one interaction with patients regularly and guide therapeutic psycho-educational groups and activities with a focus on assisting patients to build interpersonal and life management skills.
• Supports patient in accomplishing activities of daily living (ADLs) through monitoring, teaching, supporting and assisting as needed. This includes such activities as personal hygiene, shaving, brushing teeth, care of personal items, laundry, toileting, and showers, as needed, based on the patient's ability and current status. Assures that patient is treated with dignity and respect, maintaining patient's privacy
• Escort patients to activities and appointments on grounds and in the community, including driving patients to appointments.
• Assumes responsibility for paperwork, assuring confidentiality. Communicates patient's whereabouts to charge nurse and treatment team though sign-out/sign-in systems on the unit.
• Communicate to provide or exchange information while keeping registered nurse and other staff informed of patient status and patient issues. Documents patient care and patient response to treatment as required by hospital policy. Supports patients to develop a list of positive supports which may include family, friends, agencies, and staff members

Milieu Management:

• Assures a safe and therapeutic treatment environment through effective Milieu Management. Closely monitors and maintains surveillance of the unit to assure a safe milieu. This position models professional interactions with patients, families and staff. Facilitates solution oriented problem-solving strategies, and encourages patient input and self-determination, whenever possible. Monitors, identifies and addresses safety violations in patient care areas. Using therapeutic clinical skills, anticipates and initiates intervention at an appropriate level in crisis situations (i.e., physical or verbal assault against a person or property, suicidal behavior, etc.) by adhering to nursing standards and hospital policies and procedures in order to provide a safe and therapeutic environment
• Monitors the milieu, conducts safety checks and monitors for unsafe items and/or unsafe conditions, and acts promptly to secure unsafe items and corrects unsafe conditions. Utilizes appropriate techniques from Verbal Defense and Influence (VDI) and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) to manage aggressive patient behavior, and de-escalate situations whenever possible, reducing the potential for physically aggressive behavior or injury. During episodes of patient physically aggressive behavior, minimizes risk of injury to patient and staff by utilizing CPI approved methods
• Engages patients in unit activities, including impromptu groups, discussions, and games that support patient's well-being and builds appropriate interpersonal skills. Monitors patient's needs for structure and/or downtime and works in collaboration with unit staff to intervene as indicated. Monitors patients during meals including monitoring for issues with swallowing/choking, food intake, and interactions with others. Intervenes as indicated and communicates any concerns to the registered nurse. Facilitates patient meetings and groups utilizing appropriate group facilitation techniques

Interdisciplinary Team Treatment Implementation:

• Work as part of the interdisciplinary team and participate in treatment planning and the development of the plan of care for patients
• Contribute information and treatment approaches to support patient health and wellness
• Incorporate information from multiple sources and provides input into treatment planning. Advocate for patient's interest and input into their plan of care

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Any other duties that aren't covered in the above duty statements but need to be completed to meet the mission of the division and the department

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only: Three (3) years of relevant experience in customer service or in a hospital or mental health setting

OR

Education and Experience: A combination of related education in psychology, sociology, human services or biology with experience equal to three (3) years

Special Qualifications:

• Due to the juvenile population served at the MHI facilities, incumbents of this position must be at least 21 years of age

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1+ years of Knowledge and Experience as a Mental Health Care Clinician I at the State of Colorado Mental Health Institute.
• 1+ years of professional inpatient mental health-care experience in a psychiatric locked/secure setting, working 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 running groups, case management, etc., and
• College or university education in nursing, psychology, sociology, human services, or education.

Conditions of employment:

• Full Background check and reference check required
• Shift Work may work days, evenings, or nights
• Essential Services Designation Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. Driver's License
• Must be at least 21 years of age or older
• May be exposed to bodily fluids or caustic chemicals
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination, or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

Conditions of Employment:

1. Disclose that information on the application.
2. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
3. 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.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation:

• Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs. per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.
• Preferred Qualifications & Competencies: Relevant years of state service experience.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form . Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."

Comparative Analysis Process Structured Application Review

• After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.

Your Work Experience/Job Duties

• Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications.
• If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for

Colorado Department of Transportation