Adolescent Health NP - Clinic Lead (Youth Services)

About the Division of Youth Services The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides a continuum of residential and non‑residential services that encompass juvenile detention, commitment, and parole. DYS is the agency statutorily mandated to provide for the care and supervision of youth committed by the District Court to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Division operates fifteen secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre‑adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. The Division also contracts with numerous private residential and non‑residential service providers throughout the State. For pre‑adjudicated youth, the Division is responsible for the management and oversight of the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum, a State‑funded, locally administered program that provides services to youth at risk of further progressing into the juvenile justice system. In addition to residential programming, the Division administers juvenile parole services throughout the State. Responsibilities Clinical Management : Provide clinical and operational leadership across multiple facilities, ensuring consistent clinical practice standards and supporting effective implementation of medical and care protocols to promote safe, high‑quality patient care across all assigned programs. Integrate clinical quality initiatives into daily operations and translate clinical expectations into practical workflows, ensuring policies, procedures, and evidence‑based practices are consistently followed. Supervise the completion of health screenings, appraisals, and physical examinations for all youth admitted to the facility through direct observation and review of medical documentation completed by clinic staff. Identify communicable diseases promptly and implement appropriate interventions to prevent transmission within the facility, including required reporting to the CDC and State Health Department. Manage complex cases and consults, providing guidance on high‑acuity medical, dental, and specialty cases, serving as the first‑line clinical resource for staff evaluating case complexity. Determine the need for specialist referrals and collaborate with the DYS Medical Operations Coordinator and the Director of Medical Operations on challenging cases. Serve as a key liaison between Medical Leads, the DYS Medical Operations Coordinator, and the Director of Medical Operations. Communicate pertinent health information to facility staff, families, supervisors, and administration to ensure continuity of care, regulatory readiness, and optimal health outcomes for all youth. Supervise medical clinic staff assessment and diagnostic skills in collaboration with the Medical Lead. Observe clinical practice, review documentation in the electronic health record, and ensure accuracy and compliance with established standards. Supervise proper documentation practices, including histories, exams, diagnoses, and treatment plans, and review daily medical documents pertinent to the department. Ensure safe and legally compliant medication administration by monitoring staff adherence to preparation and administration protocols. Facilitate resolution of interpersonal conflicts, investigate complaints, and problem‑solve internal and external issues raised by staff, youth, families, or other stakeholders. Support scheduling of clinic staff, oversee orientation and training of new staff (including students and interns), and serve as the point of contact for local educational programs for Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant students. Facilitate regular staff meetings to maintain communication, reinforce best practices, and support team cohesion. Collect and report monthly statistical data for behavioral health and medical services and critical incidents related to medical care for the facility. Review policies and procedures regularly, collaborate with facility administrators and supervisors on writing and revising facility medical procedures, and complete medical logs pertinent to the medical department. Direct and monitor quality assurance and clinical compliance initiatives across medical clinics to ensure adherence to DYS standards, regulatory requirements, and accreditation guidelines. Review clinical documentation such as medication administration records, medication packaging, incident reports, pharmacy invoices, and EHR entries to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established protocols. Respond to annual audits by identifying deficiencies and developing and implementing corrective action plans to maintain compliance. Monitor documentation quality through audits of health screenings, appraisals, medical histories, physical examinations, and SOAP notes, and evaluate care plans for effectiveness, recommending adjustments to support continuous quality improvement across assigned facilities. Perform physical exams, order appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic tests, interpret results, formulate treatment plans using established protocols, and document thoroughly. Detect and prevent the spread of communicable infectious disease by conducting health assessments, handling sick calls, and obtaining complete histories. Consult with the DYS Medical Director for referrals to other physicians and specialists for medical, dental, and specialty problems beyond the scope of the agency clinic. Provide health education and training to juveniles and staff regarding the health care needs of high‑risk adolescents in a secure correctional facility. Adopt established protocols for prescribing medication and treatment for diagnosed illness, prepare and administer medication without error, and diagnose medical problems including emergency medical situations by performing physical exams, obtaining lab tests, ordering diagnostic tests, interpreting results, and formulating treatment plans. Communicate information to the appropriate DYS personnel and maintain accurate medical records throughout the care continuum. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Current, valid licensure as an Advanced Practice Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing, or current, valid licensure as a Physician Assistant from the Colorado Medical Board. Prescriptive authority – “RXN status” (per DORA). Minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence. State of Colorado residency at the time of application, and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position. Ability to work 24/7 facility coverage, including evenings and weekends. Valid, non‑restricted Colorado Driver’s License; may require driving of a state‑owned vehicle and an MVR check. Completion of the DYS Pre‑service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO), and mandatory annual training in all subject areas. Compliance with all background checks and security requirements, including CDHS employee checks, medical record verification, and required drug screening. Preferred Qualifications Two or more years of experience in adolescent health care. Experience assessing, diagnosing, and treating acute and chronic illness. Proficiency in documenting in an electronic medical record. Relevant years of State service experience. Conditions of Employment Full background, CDHS employee (Direct contact with vulnerable persons) checks, including CBI name check, fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, reference checks, professional license verification, drug screen, PREA, Trails check, and CAPS. Must possess valid, non‑restricted Colorado Driver’s License and comply with MVR check requirements. Shift work required 24/7 facility coverage, including evenings and weekend coverage. Travel may be required to other DYS facilities for coverage, meetings, and training. Diana Screen® administration required for all applicants for positions of trust with children and teens. Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation. Benefits Retirement benefits including a 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. EEO Statement The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL” of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. We provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr