LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE II - Medium Acuity - CMHHIP - Pueblo

Colorado; Pueblo (CO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading employer in the mental health sector, dedicated to providing exceptional care in a supportive environment. This role as a Licensed Practical Nurse II involves delivering direct nursing services to patients with psychiatric and medical needs. You will play a crucial role in maintaining a safe and therapeutic setting while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. The position offers opportunities for professional growth and development in a facility renowned for its commitment to quality mental health services. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals in need, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Flexible Retirement Benefits

Medical and Dental Health Plans

Paid Life Insurance

Short- and Long-term Disability Coverage

11 Paid Holidays

Employee Wellness Program

Remote Work Arrangements

Qualifications

• Current LPN license required; IV certification preferred.
• Experience in psychiatric and medical nursing care is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct nursing care to patients under RN supervision.
• Administer medications and maintain patient safety.

Skills

Patient Care

Medication Administration

Crisis Intervention

Therapeutic Communication

Clinical Documentation

Education

Licensed Practical Nurse License

IV Certification

Tools

Nursing Standards of Care

Emergency Response Guides

Job description

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. 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.
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.

Licensed Practical Nurse II (LPNII)
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. Licensed 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 II records and reports behavior and observations and refers 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) and 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) observation(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.
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.

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.

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:
Current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse 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.
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 ([e-mail]), 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.

How to Apply
The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contact [e-mail]
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 (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 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 [e-mail] 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.