Social Work/Counselor III- Clinical Group Facilitator COT

Social Work/Counselor III

As a cornerstone of the Pueblo community for over a century, Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP) is a leading employer, provider of quality mental health services, and a community partner. CMHHIP is a 24 hour behavioral health acute care facility that is intended to provide a safe, secure, and therapeutic setting for patients with both psychiatric and medical issues. The services provided include evaluation and treatment for patients who are severely mentally ill, and the goal of this facility is to return patients to their optimal level of functioning and assist them in returning to the community as appropriate.

The purpose of the Continuity of Treatment Department is to enhance, increase, and support treatment programming in all CMHHIP patient units by managing clinical staff call-offs and deployment to minimize clinical treatment and activity cancellations. The department's goal is to maintain clinical staffing levels, which will assist with patient stabilization, treatment, and discharge preparedness. The department provides clinical training and education on specific treatment approaches, and therapeutic and group facilitating skills to mental health clinicians and other clinical staff within the hospital to enhance patient treatment outcomes. The work unit develops and implements staffing systems to ensure treatment and activities are ongoing and not canceled. The department tracks group/activities compliance, clinical staff call-off, backfill, and treatment/activity groups and cancellations. The department maintains all clinical programming schedules, staff schedules, protocols, and group tracking systems. The staff has an understanding of and experience working with patients with mental health diagnoses, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, physical handicaps, legal concerns, and multiple psychiatric diagnoses. The legal status of patients may include incompetent-to-proceed, competency exams, not guilty by reason of insanity, short-term or long-term admission, or long-term extension. The unit goal is to assist in developing and maintaining group master schedules, staff schedules, staffing clinical call-offs, and developing curricula, group session plans, and group manuals.

You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times. Full-Time, 100% In-Person Position Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm Work Location: 1600 W. 24th Street, Pueblo, CO 81003 Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time.

About the Position:

We are looking for a dedicated clinician to support our most vulnerable patients. In this role, the incumbent will be the bridge between diagnosis and recovery for individuals facing severe emotional and cognitive hurdles. The incumbent will have the autonomy to adapt psychosocial therapy approaches, ensuring every patient receives care that respects their specific journey.

Clinical Treatment & Group Facilitation

• Act as the primary therapist or co-facilitator for individual and group sessions, using proven therapeutic methods tailored to each patient's unique background, including their age, culture, religion, and identity.
• Lead groups in various settings (on-unit, across campus, or off-site). For off-campus activities, safely transport patients using a state vehicle.
• Evaluate what a patient needs to learn and identify their strengths or obstacles to progress. Provide clear education on mental health, symptom management, and relapse prevention.
• Develop a strong, trusting rapport with patients to encourage them to take an active role in their own recovery.
• Keep accurate records of all sessions, tracking how well specific treatments are working and adjust goals based on the patient's progress.
• Apply advanced clinical experience and professional licensure to provide high-level care and guidance for complex cases.

Unit Strategy & Collaboration

• Partner with the multidisciplinary unit team to recommend specific therapy groups that best fit the current patient population.
• Join individual patient care meetings as requested to suggest targeted treatments for specific clinical needs.

Professional Development & Consultation

• Provide expert clinical consultation and training to other staff members to improve the overall quality of care on the unit.
• Stay current in field by attending workshops, staff meetings, and required training to maintain your license and professional skills.
• Maintain a deep understanding of hospital processes and case assignments to ensure the facility runs smoothly.

Other Duties

• Perform additional tasks as needed to support the team and patient care.

Minimum Qualifications

Current, valid Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact licensure as a:

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OR
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

AND One (1) year of experience with current, valid licensure from a state participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact based on the work assigned to the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1+ years of facilitating psychotherapy/psychoeducation group
• 1+ years of working in a locked or high-acuity unit
• 1+ years working with a forensic population
• Demonstrated experience adapting clinical materials for various cultural, religious, and literacy levels.
• State Employee Experience: Relevant years of State service will be considered

Conditions of Employment:

• 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. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges
• Motor Vehicle Check, Valid, unrestricted US driver's license required
• 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 CTI 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
• Annual influenza vaccination
• Travel – Willing and able to travel
• 2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
• Disclose that information on the application.
• Provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position.
• Provide the employee number from the applicant's 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.