Social Work/Counselor III- Clinical Group Facilitator COT.

State of Colorado; Pueblo (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental plans

PERA retirement plan

Paid holidays and leave

Remote work arrangements for eligible

Life insurance

Job summary

Colorado Department of Human Services seeks a dedicated clinician to support our most vulnerable patients at Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo. The role bridges diagnosis and recovery for individuals with severe emotional and cognitive challenges, applying psychosocial therapy approaches while respecting each patient’s journey.

The incumbent will facilitate individual and group sessions, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and maintain precise records to guide treatment and

Qualifications

• Current, valid Colorado or SWLC licensure as LSW, LCSW, LPC, LMFT or LAC.
• One year of experience with current licensure in the assigned position.
• Residency in Colorado during employment is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group psychotherapy and psychosocial therapy.
• Lead therapy groups on unit, campus, or off-site with transportation as needed.
• Maintain accurate treatment records and track progress against goals.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team to tailor treatment plans.
• Deliver clinical consultation and training to staff and stay current with licensure requirements.

Education

Social Work Licensure Compact (SWLC) licensure

LSW

LCSW

LPC

LMFT

LAC

Job description

Department Information

This recruitment is only open to current Colorado Residents Only

This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP) Social Work/ Counselor III

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.

The purpose of the Continuity of Treatment Department is to enhance, increase, and support treatment programming in all CMHHIP patient units by managing clinical staff call-offs and deployment to minimize clinical treatment and activity cancellations. The department's goal is to maintain clinical staffing levels, which will assist with patient stabilization, treatment, and discharge preparedness. The department provides clinical training and education on specific treatment approaches, and therapeutic and group facilitating skills to mental health clinicians and other clinical staff within the hospital to enhance patient treatment outcomes. The work unit develops and implements staffing systems to ensure treatment and activities are ongoing and not canceled. The department tracks group/activities compliance, clinical staff call-off, backfill, and treatment/activity groups and cancellations. The department maintains all clinical programming schedules, staff schedules, protocols, and group tracking systems. The staff has an understanding of and experience working with patients with mental health diagnoses, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, physical handicaps, legal concerns, and multiple psychiatric diagnoses. The legal status of patients may include incompetent-to-proceed, competency exams, not guilty by reason of insanity, short-term or long-term admission, or long-term extension. The unit goal is to assist in developing and maintaining group master schedules, staff schedules, staffing clinical call-offs, and developing curricula, group session plans, and group manuals.

Description Of Job

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

Full-Time, 100% In-Person Position

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Work Location: 1600 W. 24th Street, Pueblo, CO 81003. Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time.

About The Position

We are looking for a dedicated clinician to support our most vulnerable patients. In this role, the incumbent will be the bridge between diagnosis and recovery for individuals facing severe emotional and cognitive hurdles. The incumbent will have the autonomy to adapt psychosocial therapy approaches, ensuring every patient receives care that respects their specific journey.

Clinical Treatment & Group Facilitation

• Act as the primary therapist or co-facilitator for individual and group sessions, using proven therapeutic methods tailored to each patient’s unique background, including their age, culture, religion, and identity.
• Lead groups in various settings (on-unit, across campus, or off-site). For off-campus activities, safely transport patients using a state vehicle.
• Evaluate what a patient needs to learn and identify their strengths or obstacles to progress. Provide clear education on mental health, symptom management, and relapse prevention.
• Develop a strong, trusting rapport with patients to encourage them to take an active role in their own recovery.
• Keep accurate records of all sessions, tracking how well specific treatments are working and adjust goals based on the patient’s progress.
• Apply advanced clinical experience and professional licensure to provide high-level care and guidance for complex cases.

Unit Strategy & Collaboration

• Partner with the multidisciplinary unit team to recommend specific therapy groups that best fit the current patient population.
• Join individual patient care meetings as requested to suggest targeted treatments for specific clinical needs.

Professional Development & Consultation

• Provide expert clinical consultation and training to other staff members to improve the overall quality of care on the unit.
• Stay current in field by attending workshops, staff meetings, and required training to maintain your license and professional skills.
• Maintain a deep understanding of hospital processes and case assignments to ensure the facility runs smoothly.

Other Duties

• Perform additional tasks as needed to support the team and patient care.

Minimum Qualifications

Current, valid Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact licensure as a:

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OR
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

AND

One (1) year of experience with current, valid licensure from a state participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact based on the work assigned to the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1+ years of facilitating psychotherapy/psychoeducation group
• 1+ years of working in a locked or high-acuity unit
• 1+ years working with a forensic population

Conditions Of Employment

• Full background check and reference check required
• 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.
• Other Conditions of Employment specific to Program
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:

• Relevant years of state service experience.

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 [e-mail].

EEO Statement

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL