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Health Care Technician III Instructor - Nursing Education - CMHHIP - Pueblo

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Health Care Technician III Instructor - Nursing Education - CMHHIP - Pueblo

Salary

$1,986.92 - $2,477.54 Biweekly

Location

Pueblo, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

IIB 05419 07/01/2025

Department

Colorado Department of Human Services

Division

OBH - CMHIP

Opening Date

07/01/2025

Closing Date

7/15/2025 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 Jepsen - [email protected]

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

Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo (CHMHIP)

As a cornerstone of the Pueblo community for over a century, Colorado Mental Health Institute at 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.

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Description of Job

Please 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.

Description of Job:

The work unit exists to provide educational instruction and training for nursing staff within the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo’s (CMHHIP) Nursing Education. Nursing Education is a professional environment where new, returning, and existing staff can grow and develop. Nursing Education encompasses activities that include Nursing Orientation, Nurse Residency Program, Behavioral Electronic Health Record (BEHR) training, Annual Nursing Competency Fair, Nursing Student Clearance and Placement, Nursing Onboarding Processes, and specific unit program education. Nursing Education develops, facilitates, and manages nursing implementation of policy, procedure, & theory-based curriculum to prepare nursing staff with the knowledge, skills, and attributes to safely provide high-quality mental health care across the care continuum at CMHHIP.

This position provides educational instruction and training for nursing staff at CMHHIP based on current standards of care, CMHHIP policy, and Nursing Department Procedures. The instruction/training provided includes but is not limited to Nursing Employee Orientation, Nursing Behavioral Electronic Health Record (BEHR), just-in-time (JIT) training, discipline-specific training as requested by the Nurse Executive Committee, preparing annual nursing competency modules for Cornerstone Learning Management System, and planning, leading, and supervising the Nursing Department’s Annual Nursing Competency Fair.

This position reports to the Nursing Education Manager.

This position provides support to nursing education, including nursing orientation and professional development opportunities offered by the Nursing Department. The HCT III Instructor works under the direction of a Registered Nurse to demonstrate to others how 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 units. This position helps new nursing staff understand safety, including perimeter checks, patient/unit/property searches, escort ratios, patient wellness, environmental scans, contraband visits, and milieu management. The HCT III Instructor demonstrates how to provide immediate crisis intervention in the milieu and how to respond to emergency situations, participate in and lead assigned groups, and how to communicate the need for precautions and restrictions pertinent to patient treatment and safety.

Nursing Staff Classroom/Lab Instructions:

+ Leads classroom discussions and provides skills demonstrations within the scope of practice

+ Provides 1:1 coaching to individuals struggling with skills check-offs

+ Follows provided curriculum and follows CMHHIP policy and procedures without exception

+ Grades quizzes/tests and provides remediation 1:1 under the direction of the Nurse Educator

+ Supports CMHHIP values and vision to create a positive learning environment for staff and preceptees

+ Ensures any instruction, training, or demonstration provided remains within the HCT III scope of practice

+ Understands that new staff are valuable and have the right to be treated with patience, dignity, and respect at all times

+ Identifies any staff struggling with skills and refers them to a Nurse Educator for follow-up

+ Demonstrates patience, empathy, and a welcoming attitude to staff

+ Shares helpful and realistic scenarios that staff will likely see on the units, avoids sharing rare instances or stories that may frighten new staff

+ Demonstrates HCT III competency for any skills prior to providing instruction, training, guidance, or coaching, including patient observation skills, therapeutic interventions, reporting and communicating critical events and treatment-relevant information, assisting with patient care as directed, and unit maintenance and safety under the supervision of the Registered Nurse Monitors all aspects of patient care needs, including nutritional, dysphagia, and allergies

+ Assures confidentiality of the medical record and information, foundational knowledge of HIPAA standards/regulations

+ Treats patients in accordance with CMHHIP policy

+ Responds to safety and security issues/needs utilizing therapeutic interventions and specialized training to control and manage crises and management of assaultive and disruptive behaviors

+ Completes emergent paperwork

+ Utilizes proper seclusion and restraint procedures following hospital/nursing department policy and procedure

+ Ensures restraints are gathered after a seclusion or restraint episode, accounted for, and placed back into the restraint bag. Notes any restraints that need to be replaced on the RIPP check-off sheet and alerts the correct staff member to replace items

+ Completes medication variances and associated incident reports as necessary

+ Follows escort ratios per policy in regard to escorting patients to/from groups, including the dining room

+ Understands, promotes, and participates in Recovery-Based, Trauma Informed Care initiatives

+ Conducts patient searches (person/unit/room)

+ Monitors sharps as per unit guidelines, ensures items returned are intact and documented appropriately

Unit Safety Instruction:

+ Provides safety, non-escalation, de-escalation, patient & unit search, contraband, and approved patient stabilization training to unit staff.

+ Provides instruction by effectively communicating to include actively listening and sharing relevant information with others to anticipate problems and ensure the effectiveness of the instruction provided.

+ Adapts communication and demonstration methods to respond to different audiences to promote a positive learning environment.

+ Works with others in a collaborative, helpful way, and when on the units, provides instruction where patients are not present to ensure the environment remains therapeutic.

+ The HCT III effectively communicates with others by actively listening and sharing relevant information with others to anticipate problems to ensure the effectiveness of the instruction provided.

+ Adapts communication methods to respond to different audiences to promote a positive environment and enhanced learning. Is appropriate in all communications with co-workers and patients.

+ Prior to providing instruction on any unit, the HCT III receives cross-shift reports from the RN and is aware of all precautions, medical and psych issues for each patient.

+ Reports abuse allegations immediately to the charge RN/Nurse Manager/Appointing Authority and refers to the Department of Public Safety. Alerts the Charge RN to all exceptions changes in patient status to include suicidal/homicidal ideation, need for medication, or RN intervention.

+ Completes and routes paperwork to appropriate area/person (to include incident reports and injury on the job). Reports and corrects any hazardous findings at the moment.

+ The HCT III demonstrates Wellness checks per policy, including environmental scans, monitors the milieu and facilitates groups/activities, and takes a proactive and leading role in unit searches, including patient pat down and contraband identification.

+ The HCT III demonstrates how to be present in the milieu to prompt and de-escalate patients at the moment.

+ The HCT III orients new staff to the unit and models a safety and security mindset utilizing a trauma-informed approach, non-escalation and de-escalation tactics—partners with patients in their plan of care to help them meet their discharge goals.

+ During any seclusion and restraint event, ensure any equipment used is cleaned, accounted for, documented, and ready for the next shift.

+ Performs cross-shift sharps counts and monitoring per policy & procedure.

+ Provides ADLs for patients needing assistance.

+ Identifies patients who are struggling, engages them, and offers healthy alternatives.

Other Duties as Assigned:

+ Performs other related duties as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).

AND

Two (2) years of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position

Substitutions

Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis

Special Qualifications: Maintains active and unencumbered Colorado License (LPT or LPN)

*Please note: An LPN License from outside of Colorado may potentially be considered, if the state of licensure is apart of the Nurse Licensure Compact. (If you are unsure of which states are included in this compact, please visit this link (https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm) .)

**Psychiatric Technicians musthave a Colorado license.

Substitutions:

Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. If you are going to substitute education for the experience requirement, you must attach transcripts to your application.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the Minimum Qualifications and Required Skills outlined above, our ideal candidate will possess the following Preferred Qualifications:

+ BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing

+ Five (5) years total nursing experience, including 1 year psychiatric nursing experience

+ Six (6) months experience teaching nursing staff

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)

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

+ 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.

Essential Attributes:

+ Possess the physical ability to successfully complete the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo's required orientation/training

+ Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security

+ The ability to 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.

Appeal Rights:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination.

Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging.

Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb .

A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb . If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

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] ([email protected]) .us

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 ADAAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at [email protected] or call 1-800-929-0791.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#technical-support)

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

What qualifies you for the position of Health Care Technician III? Please include any relevant experience, including work history, educational level, psychiatric nursing experience, and experience teaching adults.

02

Please provide a scenario where you have presented information to a large group of people (>25). What information did you present? Were you comfortable? What feedback did you receive? Did you enjoy the experience?

03

Please detail any experience you have with building curriculum and/or training modules. What was the purpose of the curriculum/training module? Who was the audience? In what format did you provide the curriculum? Where was this curriculum implemented? Where did the source information for the presentation come from?

04

Please explain the key parts of a competency-based nursing orientation and how they all work together. What is the ultimate goal?

05

This position is responsible for organizing the 1-week-long Nursing Competency Fair for ~600 nursing staff. Describe your experience with project management and how you would go about organizing an event of this size.

06

Are you a current or previous State of Colorado employee?

+ Yes

+ No

07

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.

08

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. If not applicable please type N/A.

09

Your legal name is used in the hiring process for background checks. Did you use your full legal name in your application?

+ Yes

+ No

10

Are you a Veteran requesting Preference? If yes, you must submit a copy of DD214

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

State of Colorado

Address

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Website

https://careers.colorado.gov/

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