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LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE III - High Acuity - CMHHIP - Pueblo

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LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE III - High Acuity - CMHHIP - Pueblo

Salary

$27.68 - $38.75 Hourly

Location

Pueblo, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

IIB 04761 04/30/2025

Department

Colorado Department of Human Services

Division

OBH - CMHIP

Opening Date

04/30/2025

Closing Date

5/7/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Type of Announcement

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Primary Physical Work Address

Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, 1600 W. 24th Street, Pueblo, CO 81003

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

Tricia [email protected]

Salary Note

Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Department Information

CMHHIP

This position will be accepting applications from residents of Colorado. This announcement is open to potential candidates who are legal residents of the United States. All legal residents of the United States are eligible to apply and compete.

This posting will be used to fill multiple vacancies. P lease keep in mind that even though you may have applied for a position on a specific unit as indicated in this announcement and if the hiring manager chooses to extend a job offer to you, the hiring manager may make you a job offer within the same classification for a different unit within the hospital. These opportunities will be based on vacancies at the time of offer and business needs. All work locations evaluated will remain within CMHHIP.

Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo (CMHHIP)

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 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.

Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details! (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits)

Opt in below to receive text message updates on CDHS recruiting events!

CDHSCareers

Description of Job

Under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN): The purpose of this position is to provide direct nursing care services to patients. Duties include but are not limited to providing for patient comfort and safety, observing patient conditions and documenting response to medication and treatment, providing preventative and clinical practical nursing services, administering authorized medications and treatment, and participating in planning and implementing patient care plans. Licensed practical nurses provide care for patients with acute, chronic, and preventative physical and mental health care needs. L icensed practical nurses work in security settings where the positions follows policies and procedures to ensure their own safety and that of others. This position is to provide a safe and therapeutic milieu by providing safety checks, taking measures to maintain patient/staff safety and actively participating in programming on the assigned unit(s). This position completes perimeter checks and unit searches as assigned. This position manages the milieu, supervises and therapeutically interacts with patients during activities. The LPN III records and report behavior and observations and refer to the RN for appropriate assessment. This position participates as a member of the multidisciplinary team, mentoring new staff and students, and attending in-services and committee meetings. Utilizes Nursing Standards of Care (Colorado Psychiatric Technician Act/Licensed Practical Nurse Practice Act)/Department of Nursing and hospital policy and procedure as well as Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement (QAPI). Provide immediate crisis intervention in the milieu/unit and respond to all emergency situations. Participates in and leads assigned groups. Is assigned patients and is responsible as a primary one-to-one. Is responsible for reinforcing patient teaching as directed by the RN and is involved with carrying out treatment plan formulations. Is responsible for documenting patient(s) observations (s) and ensures treatment is up to date so the treatment team has all information needed to make informed decisions for individual patient care needs. . Reviews and follows the current plan of care. Reports need for and utilizes precautions and restrictions pertinent to patient treatment and safety. Is responsible for training lower level licensed practical nurses. This position has the authority to determine the procedures required to accomplish the work tasks described above by using professional judgment on an ongoing basis to select the most appropriate guidelines and adapt them to develop work procedures that accomplish such tasks. Works as work lead and is responsible for implementing procedures, directing workflow, resolving nursing and general care issues, and leading staff on shift in tandem with the Charge RN. Alerts the supervisor with recommendations for additional training/teaching when an increase in any type of training/teaching is identified or at such time when identifying other staff might benefit from attending classes such as medication administration.

Clinical Skills:

+ Under the direction of a Registered Nurse is responsible for: administering nursing care (both psychiatric and medical) according to the plan of care, monitoring and facilitating the provision of a therapeutic, safe milieu, managing the milieu, and supervising and therapeutically interacting with patients during activities.

+ Administer medications and treatments according to licensing and CMHHIP standards; for example, oral, injection, and topical.

+ Responsible for responding to safety and security issues/needs.

+ Utilizes therapeutic interventions and approved specialized training to control and manage crisis situations and management of assaultive and disruptive behaviors.

+ Knows and follows all nursing procedures, computerized training/nursing groups/competencies/addenda/patient teaching/staff training and competency.

+ Understands, promotes, and participates in Trauma Informed Care initiatives. Is a resource and teaches/orients new/pulled/pool staff related to milieu management/safety basics

+ Understands and maintains staff/patient boundaries.

+ Studies patient information to determine what it means and how it fits together in order to get practical solutions in the form of patient care plans.

+ Judgment is needed in locating and selecting the most appropriate guideline, which may change for varying patient circumstances as the task is repeated.

Accountability:

+ Knows, utilizes and follows CMHHIP standards, policies, and guidelines: Treatment Plans, Infection Control Manual, and Emergency Response Guides. Responsible for maintaining own licensure and not allowing it to lapse. Follows and maintains infection control standards and regulations

+ Adheres to all CDHS and CMHHIP policies and procedures. Knows where to locate and how to access all policies and procedures.

+ Follows and complies with all assigned nursing competencies

+ Is aware of and utilizes the Nursing chain of command.

+ Provides safe/secure transport of patients to the yard, gym, visits, administrative conference room, staffing/disposition reviews, court/community reintegration sites, or any other location patients need to attend.

+ Responsible for ensuring educational profile is current and up to date as well as all Cornerstone or other assigned trainings.

+ Participates in the QA/PI process at the unit level as directed by the Nurse Manager and Assistant Director of Nursing.

+ Attends weekly nursing rounds or reads/reviews and understands information in the weekly NEC minutes to be aware of nursing direction, new information, changes in policy/procedure/instructions, etc.

+ Reports any claims of any type of harassment/workplace violence, alerts public safety/charge RN/Nurse Manager/and nursing appointing authority.

Communication/Interpersonal Skills:

+ In conjunction with the Nurse Manager and/or Charge RN, provides input/recommendations on updates or revisions to competencies, specific to medication administration.

+ Serves as a resource/educator for coworkers on effective medication administration.

+ Works in conjunction with nursing education and nursing management to develop competency assessment and training components to ensure staff are competent and able to perform or complete return demonstration related to medication administration and able to perform duties as expected on the units.

+ Ensures members of the team are competent to manage medication administration through established modules and testing of each competency.

+ Responsible for ensuring the educational profile is current and up to date with staff training records for staff on the unit for any provided trainings.

+ Provides training on medication administration and reviews medication variance data with the Nurse Manager so that staff can improve their skills.

+ Determines how best to teach new and seasoned employees information related to safe medication practice and makes recommendations to supervisors about the training needs of peers and other team members.

+ Ensures that nursing supervisors are aware of issues on the unit with patients and with nursing staff members.

+ Nursing staff can only direct nursing personnel and if needing direction on what is going on in the unit, this position will consult with the nursing supervisor on the unit.

+ Knows all new policies and standards and ensures all nursing staff are adhering to updates and changes in established policies and standards.

Other Duties as Assigned:

+ Any other duties that may arise while completing the tasks of this position to meet the needs of the unit and Department

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

Current, valid licensure as a LPN from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)

**Complete Board approved IV certification course including supervised clinical; OR document completion of such from another state Maintains evidence (both LPN and

employer) of original documentation and demonstration of IV knowledge/judgment/skill

Follows written IV policies and procedures approved by medical staff, nursing and agency administration

**Advanced Educational Preparation for LPNs in Colorado is limited to IV certification.

Three years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position

Substitutions:

Appropriate education will substitute for up to two years of the required experience on a year-for-year basis

Conditions of Employment:

+ CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services),

Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers)

+ Maintains active and unencumbered LPN Colorado License

+ May be required to work evening or weekend shifts, holidays, voluntary or mandatory overtime both in the clinic, or on patient units throughout CMHHIP

+ 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 CMHIP 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

+ 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 (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) 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

Appeal Rights:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email ([email protected]), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#how-to-apply)

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact [email protected]

About Us:

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs) (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

+ Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org 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

+ BenefitHub state employee discount program

+ Employee Wellness program MotivateMe

+ 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. For more

information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs .

Our Values:

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans .

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at [email protected] or call 1-800-929-0791

THE CAMPUS OF THE COLORADO MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL IN PUEBLO IS TOBACCO FREE

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

Do you possess an LPN license from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies or a participating state in eNLC? (Please remember to upload this document to your application)

+ Yes

+ No

02

Do you currently work for the Colorado Department of Human Services? (This includes the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo)?

03

Do you currently work at CMHHIP?

04

How many years of professional nursing experience in Behavioral Health, Forensic, Medical, and Geriatric patients do you have?

+ Less than 1 year

+ 1-3.99 Years or less experience

+ 4-5.99 years of experience

+ 6-7.99 years of experience

+ 8-9.99 years of experience.

+ 10+ years of experience

05

Please indicate the position number, classification, unit, and shift, along with what working days you are interested in (For Internal Candidates only)?

06

When asking a patient to do something that they may not agree with or want to do, how do you follow the persuasion sequence to gain compliance?

+ You tell them you are in charge and they must do it.

+ Ask and explain why.

+ Ask and explain why and offer options and let them choose.

+ Ask and explain why and offer options, let them choose, and give the opportunity for them to reconsider.

+ Ask and explain why and offer options, let them choose, and give the opportunity for them to reconsider, take the appropriate action.

+ Ask and explain why and offer options, let them choose, and give the opportunity for them to reconsider, take the appropriate action, close the conversation and give support regardless of the action and establish a positive foundation for future interaction.

07

What are the 10 Medication administrations Rights?

+ Discusses none.

+ Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Route, Right Time.

+ Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Route, Right Time, Right Education.

+ Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Route, Right Time, Education, Documentation.

+ Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Route, Right Time, Right Education, Right Documentation, Right to Refuse.

+ Patient, and Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Route, Right Time, Right Education, Right Documentation, Right to Refuse, Right Assessment.

+ Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Route,Right Time, Right Education, Right Documentation, Right to Refuse, Right Assessment, and Right Evaluation.

08

If you are a current or former State of Colorado employee, please list your employee number (starts with 997...). Failure to provide this requested information may render your application incomplete, and you may no longer be considered for the position.

09

Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application. In the space below, please provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should NOT disqualify your application from the current position.

10

Please acknowledge that even though you may have applied for a position on a specific unit as indicated in this announcement, if the hiring manager chooses to extend a job offer to you, the hiring manager may make you a job offer within the same classification for a different unit within the hospital. These opportunities will be based on vacancies at the time of offer and business needs. All work locations evaluated will remain within CMHHIP."

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

State of Colorado

Address

See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website

https://careers.colorado.gov/

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