Mental Health Clinician I - Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan

Mental Health Clinician I - Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan

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Mental Health Clinician I - Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan

Salary

$23.48 - $30.36 Hourly

Location

Denver, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

IIC 00839 02/27/26

Department

Colorado Department of Human Services

Division

OBH - CMHIFL

Opening Date

02/27/2026

Closing Date

3/13/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Type of Announcement

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Primary Physical Work Address

3520 West Oxford Street, Denver , CO 80236

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

Curtis.Padilla@state.co.us

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

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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

About Fort Logan:

Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan (CMHHFL) is one of two state hospitals serving our community. The vision of CMHHFL is to provide the highest quality mental health services to persons with complex, serious, and persistent mental health illness within the resources available. Our mission is to support those individuals in achieving their recovery goals and reaching their full potential. CMHHFL provides inpatient treatment to adult patients, generally between the ages of 18-49. The hospital has 94 adult inpatient beds, over four treatment units and opened an additional 44 beds (two units) in December 2022, with one unit currently occupied, the other unit awaiting occupancy. These two forensic units will be dedicated to providing psychiatric stabilization and restoration treatment to individuals opined incompetent to proceed as a result of their mental illness. Medical services, o ccupational therapy, neuropsychological-rehabilitation services, and trauma-informed care services are available for all patients throughout the hospital.

Through our core values, CMHHFL staff is committed to:

• Individual dignity and respect
• Person-centered, evidence-based care
• Trauma informed recovery
• Multidisciplinary collaboration
• Diversity and inclusion
• Strong family and community partnerships

Each treatment unit provides psychiatric treatment services to adult clients through the use of a Milieu Treatment Program based on models of milieu therapy and group therapy. The focus of treatment is ongoing assessment and interventions designed to assist individual clients to resolve the specific problems that brought them to the hospital and to return them to the least restrictive environment in the community. Approaches are strength-based, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented enabling patients to learn more effective coping and living skills in order to function more effectively in the community upon discharge from the hospital. The psychiatric care and treatment modalities include milieu management, group therapy, activity therapy, health education and medication management with the goal of providing a consistent and safe environment for clients and to assist them with the amelioration of presenting problems and symptoms and improve problem-solving and coping skills.

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Description of Job

About this Position:

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

• act as patient advocate and provides patient and their family with support and education on patient's rights. Address and resolve patient issues when possible and refer issues to the hospital Patient's Rights Specialist, as indicated. Model solution-focused problem-solving strategies.
• 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) yearsof 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.

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 (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), 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 acknowledgment 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)

How to apply to the State of Colorado

The Assessment Process (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#assessment-process)

For Statewide Hiring Freeze NON-EXEMPTED position ONLY :

This job offer is contingent upon funding availability from all sources, including state and federal (if applicable), to start or continue.

For additional recruiting questions, please contact curtis.padilla@state.co.us

About Us & Benefits:

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 (https://coloradostateofhealth.com/)
• 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 cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~ (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#eoe)

Toll-Free Applicant 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

While we do incorporate practices to prioritize the safety of our employees, this position will require working with patients who may be verbally or physically abusive at times. Please indicate your experience and comfort level with this population.

• I have experience working with patients that have expressed verbal and physical abuse and I am comfortable with this aspect of the role.
• I do not have experience working with this population, but I am comfortable with this aspect of the role.
• I do not have experience with this population and/or I do NOT feel comfortable in this environment.

02

This position has a requirement to be over the age of 21. Can you verify that you meet this requirement?

• Yes, I am 21 years of age
• No, I am under the age

03

How many years do you have working in a Mental Health setting?

• 0-1
• 1-2
• 3-4
• 4-5
• 5 or more

04

Are you willing and able to report to work during inclement weather?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you willing and able to frequently move up to 50 lbs, by lifting, positioning, and pivoting disabled adults?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you willing and able to follow prescribed procedures and policies even if they conflict with your personal preference?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you willing and able to stay for your entire shift?

• Yes
• No

08

Are you willing and able to work with staff and clients of all social, economic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds?

• Yes
• No

09

Are you willing and able to work with potential dangerous clients in a locked setting?

• Yes
• No

10

How do you deal with change?

11

What do you consider to be the role of the Mental Health Clinician to be in milieu therapy/management?

12

How do you develop a relationship with a person with a serious mental illness?

13

Describe why you have a desire to work with this population.

14

SELECT ONLY the work hours/days that you are willing to accept.

• I am willing and able to work day shifts.
• I am willing and able to work weekend shifts.
• I am willing and able to work holidays
• I am willing and able to work evening shifts.
• I am willing and able to work overnight shifts.

15

While this will initially be an evening position, we require staff to be flexible with respect to shift and location changes as dictated by business needs. Are you willing to agree to this shift and possible shift changes in the future

• Yes
• No

16

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.

17

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.

18

Your legal name is used in the hiring process for background checks. Did you use your full legal name in your application? If not, please update your information before submitting your application

• Yes
• No

19

The bottom of this job announcement provides links to additional information on how to apply, the assessment process, toll free applicant technical support, and about how the State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. Please acknowledge below that you have read the information provided in these links.

• This information is available to me and I have read this information.
• I am unable to access the links with this information on the job posting. (If you select this option, please contact the recruiter, whose information is listed on this announcement, so that they can send this information directly to you.)

Required Question

Employer

State of Colorado

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