Clinical Therapist I

Department Information

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

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

Colorado Mental Health Hospital in 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 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.

This work unit exists to provide skilled intensive psychiatric treatment services to patients with mental illnesses with mixed diagnoses, who require crisis intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation and to develop and implement therapy techniques and practices utilizing known and established theoretical concepts to the adolescent, geriatric, and adult psychiatric populations that are appropriate to the individual patients' level of functioning. Such therapeutic services are designed to facilitate psychological, physical, social, cognitive, leisure, and daily living skills through a comprehensive rehabilitative, leisure education, and experiential recreation participation model while meeting standards of practice as well as regulatory compliance with JCAHO, CMS and CMHHIP policy and procedure.

Description of Job

You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times.

This position is scheduled Mon- Fri, 8 am-5 pm on-site at CMHHIP

Please note: These working arrangements are subject to change.

About the Position:

The position coordinates with a multidisciplinary team to design services that will address the patients' Plan Of Care and align with the population, treatment program model, Recovery philosophy, and Trauma Informed Care goals. Services include assessments that formulate individual patient goals, therapeutic interventions to meet patient needs that foster choices, progress, and function, document and record pertinent data related to patient progress, services, safety, quality, and statistical data within the organization. The goal of this position is to provide a safe and natural environment to develop skills and behaviors in preparation for discharge while demonstrating knowledge, skill, and duties related to safety and security. This position retains qualifications/certifications in the areas of first aid, CPR, MANDT, and Verbal De-escalation. Duties in this position include:

Assessments and Plan of Care:

• Performs assessments by gathering information, interviewing patients, and making treatment recommendations in the functional modality areas of physical, social, leisure, cognitive, psychological, and daily living needs and skills
• Participates as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team in developing the patient Treatment Plan formulation and Reviews to help formulate long-and short-range goals

Program Design:

• Help design the Therapy services plan for the assigned population to include modalities of leisure education, physical, cognitive, psychological, and daily living skills designed to foster independent and leisure choices and functioning in patient participation

Implementation of Services:

• Implements a needs-specific Therapy service delivery program by conducting groups, 1:1s, including counseling, evaluation, education, and recreation participation for the population, which may include working in a locked and secured facility
• Modifications/accommodations are made to provide services, which enable patients at varying functional levels to fully participate
• Provide a safe and secure environment at all times

Documentation and Evaluation:

• Provide documentation in accordance with hospital and Department policies and procedures
• Documentation includes patient-specific information as well as overall programmatic documentation relating to problems, objectives, and interventions, the patient's progress or lack thereof as it correlates to individualized treatment goals is reflected in documentation
• Treatment is reviewed, changed, modified, or terminated based on patient response or a significant change in the patient's functioning

Safety, Security, and Risk Management:

• Evaluate the environment for safety/security risks and patients' behaviors to help provide a Therapy service delivery system that maintains the safety of all patients and staff, by adhering to hospital security policies, including escorting clients to and from Therapy groups and areas
• Utilize de-escalating and MANDT techniques from training

Meetings and Training:

• Attend monthly department, area, and committee meetings, program meetings, team meetings, and other meetings as assigned
• Attend all in-service and training as mandated by CMHHIP and educational training necessary to maintain any professional certifications and competencies

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Support the supervisor when additional business needs arise
• May be asked to assist co-workers/supervisor with little time for preparation or short notice, i.e., if a staff member abruptly leaves work, may be asked to fill in a supporting role
• Supervising patients with short notice

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only:

Four (4) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to four (4) years

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in State Service
• Background in one of the following therapies: Recreational Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy, Dance Movement
• Able to take initiative and demonstrate leadership skills with a group of clients
• Ability to handle conflict and challenging situations
• Knowledge and understanding of the therapeutic process
• Knowledge of Recreational Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy, and Dance Movement
• Ability to work within a diverse interdisciplinary team
• Experience working in an acute care hospital
• Experience facilitating groups with clients that have little motivation

Conditions of Employment

• Full background check and reference check required
• Shift Work
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position
• Motor Vehicle Check , if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an on-going capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License or an non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border
• Out-of-State Driver's License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License within 30 days of employment start date

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

• Disclose that information on the application.

• Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
• Provide your employee number from your 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.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation:

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

• Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:

• Relevant years of state service experience.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process:

A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."

You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve a review and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from an eSkills Test.

Your Work Experience/Job Duties

Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications.

If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.

Supplemental Questions:

Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

Appeal Rights:

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review
• You can find the official appeal form here (Download PDF reader)

• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

• By email ), or

• Postmarked in US Mail to (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, or
• Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or
• Faxed within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department's action.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At , or
• Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage

Supplemental Information

• How to apply to the State of Colorado (YouTube Video, Runtime 3:59, Closed Captions Available)

• The Assessment Process

• For additional recruiting questions, please contact

About Us & Benefits:

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (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. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. 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 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.

Our Values

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide
• 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

ADA Accommodations

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for 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.

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing 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

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. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, 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.

Additional Support For Your Application

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.

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