Registered Nurse I - Nurse Educator Assistant - Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan Denver

Starting Jan. 2, 2024, if you have a multistate license and change your primary state of residence to another state within the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), you must apply for a license in that state within 60 days. 

If this latter step is not completed within the allotted time frame, your previous license may expire. This puts you at risk of practicing without a license. As an example, if you are a registered nurse with a multistate license from Arizona practicing in Colorado and you move to Colorado, you have 60 days to apply to Colorado’s Board of Nursing for a new multistate license. These changes were part of the final rules passed by the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators at its annual conference in August.  The eNLC allows for mobility and creates a more robust workforce by allowing nurses to practice in Colorado with licenses from other compact states.

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

CDHSCareers

• This position is responsible for instruction and training for Nursing Orientation, ongoing training and nursing student Instructions.
• Ensures that nursing education promotes the development of a competent, confident nursing workforce, a healthy work environment, and a safe, reliable, patient-centric experience of care within the forensic, mental health practice setting.
• Teaches, trains, coaches, mentors, and supports new and existing nursing staff in all aspects of nursing education to provide high-quality, psychiatric, forensic and medical nursing care in the classroom and on patient care units.
• Provides direct class monitoring and teaching to train, orient, and prepare new nursing staff to effectively work in direct care units, including all levels of acuity and patient populations from adolescent, adult, to geriatric.
• Informs nursing staff of learning and performance expectations.
• Stays current on CMHHIFL Policy, Nursing Department Procedure, and the standard of care to recognize and report any needed changes/discrepancies in the training curriculum to the Nurse Educator.
• Creates an atmosphere that fosters teamwork and open communication among the nurse education team.
• Models effective behaviors as facilitator, mentor, and coach, and embodies CMHHIFL mission, vision, and values to include attributes of a growth mindset.
• Creates a working environment that promotes safety, retention, positive employee engagement, adherence to company policies, effective communication, collaboration, innovation, optimal productivity, and continuous learning.
• Evaluates nursing staff understanding of policy/procedure and nursing competencies via demonstrated competency check-offs.
• Assesses level of competence with documentation in Electronic Health Record (EHR), nursing skills, and all competencies for CCAs, CNAs, LPTs, LPNs, Nursing MHCs, and RNs.
• Selects, reviews, and evaluates class exams and provides on-unit paperwork.
• Completes sign-offs and thorough documentation of all training records for individual nursing staff to include all required forms, including signed competency check-off forms.
• Ensures rosters are complete and accurate for each training class provided.
• Provides a safe and respectful learning environment by monitoring interactions and assessing compliance with program expectations.
• Debriefs on-unit orientation experience and shares feedback with Nurse Educator. 
• Promotes a team spirit and demonstrates enthusiasm for teaching.
• Provides in-the-moment coaching and gentle correction during training.
• Reports any ongoing competency or conduct concerns to the Nurse Educator immediately and documents concerns appropriately.
• Reports any allegations of hostile workplace, patient mistreatment, abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation per policy.

• Coordinate and maintain structure for the newly hired CMHHIFL nursing staff to improve their sense of belonging, confidence, job satisfaction, and competency at the unit level through their first 90 days of employment
• Develop the Nursing Department Mentorship Program welcome packet in partnership with Nursing Leadership.
• Meet and welcome all new CMHHIFL Nursing staff, and provide the approved welcome packet with discussion and expectations of the program.
• Provide new nursing staff with contact information. Be responsive and answer questions during onboarding and while providing direction, guidance, support, and general information.
• Develop and maintain trackers to ensure all CMHHIFL nursing staff receive the 30/60/90 day surveys via email and provide calendar reminders to Nursing Supervisors to meet with their assigned nursing staff at the 30/60/90-day interval.
• Maintain and organize program documents in a shared folder with Nursing Leadership access.
• Audit records regularly, then follow up with Nurse Managers and ADONs if 30/60/90 day meetings are delayed or missed.
• Maintain, file, share, and update the New CMHHIFL Staff Assessment Mentor Tool, which is used on-unit to assess nursing staff competency.
• Demonstrate professionalism, communicate and uphold CMHHIFL and CDHS Mission and Values, and display a positive attitude with a retention-mindset in all interactions with new CMHHIFL nursing staff.
• Regularly participate as an active member in at least 2 CMHHIFL committees or Quality Improvement projects.

• Partner with new CMHHIFL nursing staff to clarify expectations, provide resources, and guide nursing staff through the 30/60/90 day timeline and expectations during on-unit assessments.
• Check in with new nursing staff every two weeks to assess high-risk competency areas utilizing the New CMHHIFL  Staff Assessment Mentor Tool.
• Check in with the Charge RN and identify self and role prior to assessment of competency. 
• Follow all unit safety requirements, location of emergency equipment, evacuation routes, and pertinent patient safety information when following up with new CMHHIP nursing staff on unit.
• Communicate any training deficiencies or competency concerns to the assigned Nurse Manager or supervisor and Assistant Director of Nursing.
• This position is responsible for acting as a resource for nursing staff. Provides direction and support to the newly hired CMHHIFL nursing staff.
• Provide nursing staff education, coaching, guidance, mentorship, and resources in the moment,  utilizing the standard of care and/or approved policy, procedure, and guidelines, including CMHHIFL Active Treatment Program Manual.
• Provide education in-the-moment as appropriate, including Nursing Education-approved handouts.
• Serve as a resource to nursing staff when on the units, demonstrating professionalism, communicating and upholding CMHHIFL and CDHS Mission and Values, and displaying a retention-mindset in all interactions with new CMHHIFL nursing staff.
• Refer CMHHIFL nursing staff to their Nurse Managers with any payroll, human resources, or other concerns that do not pertain to competency. Alert the Nurse Manager via email.
• Utilize Nursing Department-approved current nursing theory in conjunction with Form 1052 to determine nursing staff competency stages.
• Report any abuse allegations and communicate immediately to the supervisor, appointing authority and public safety while keeping the Nursing Educator apprised of the situation..
• Report medication variances through established procedures. Elevate any patterns of misuse immediately to nursing leadership while keeping the Nursing Educator apprised of the situation..
• Assists with regulatory surveys, including escorting surveyors, nursing staff support in the moment, and response/follow-up.
• Follows all regulatory guidelines.

• Any other duties that may need to be completed for the shift/unit and or department

Minimum Qualifications:

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)

No Substitutions

• Due to the juvenile population served at the MHI facilities, incumbents of this position must be at least 21 years of age.

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 CO 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.

1. Disclose that information on the application.

2. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.

3. 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.

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.
  
  

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

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing. 

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.     

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. 

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

  • By email ([email protected]), 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 (303.866.5038) 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 (303) 866-3300, 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.

How to apply to the State of Colorado

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact [email protected]

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. For more
  information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.
  
  

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.

ADAA 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 [email protected].

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~ 

~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.  

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 855-524-5627 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.