Client Care Aide II, Full Time, Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo

Job Title

This position exists to deliver nursing care and therapeutic interventions under the supervision of a registered nurse. The Client Care Aide II provides nursing care as assigned (i.e. activities of daily living, self-maintenance, and hygiene). Participates in implementation of the treatment plan and utilizes the plan of care as the basis for the provision of care.

Major responsibilities include patient observation and reporting, assisting with patient care as directed, and unit maintenance and security. Provides security and accountability for client's location and condition. May assist licensed staff in patient transport on or off grounds and monitoring of general client activities on an on-going basis. Client Care Aides have a fixed schedule and provide essential care across various units. These units range from High Security to Low Security settings, with a diverse patient population including adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients experiencing psychiatric disorders, criminal involvement, or medical complexities. Staff may work in units featuring locked or unlocked doors, depending on the level of security required. Responsibilities include providing care to high-acuity patients in secure environments, such as high-security buildings with Sally Ports, or in lower-security community reintegration settings.

Clinical skills include administering nursing care, both psychiatric and medical crisis interventions under the direction and supervision of an RN. Monitors the milieu for needed interventions. Utilizes therapeutic interventions to manage crisis situations and management of assaultive and disruptive behaviors. Promptly responds to patient's psychiatric and/or medical crisis. Understands and practices knowledge of when to report changes in patient condition or complaints such as pain or other medical needs to the RN. Maintains awareness of all 1:1, special precautions, and medical and psych issues for each patient. Responds to duress alarm. Assures all assigned duties are complete and documented each shift. Follows and maintains infection control standards and regulations. Responsible for CCA duties to possibly include changing linen, obtaining and documenting vital signs, bathing, feeding and other ADL care, lifting/turning/transferring patients. Organizes time daily to assure timely completion of assigned tasks. Learns, completes and maintains competency in patient care, including taking vital signs, patient hygiene and personal care.

Accountability includes knowing, utilizing and following CMHIP standards and guidelines: Treatment Plans, Infection Control Manual, and Rainbow book and Emergency Guides. Responsible to maintain own certification and not allow it to lapse. Follows and complies with all nursing competencies related to the CCA II. Is aware and utilizes the Nursing chain of command. Provides safe/secure transport of patients to yard, gym, visits, administrative conference room, staffing/dispo reviews, court/community reintegration sites. Documents towards Nursing Department standards for assigned tasks. Knows how to access the nursing drive on the computer and is expected to utilize it. Responsible to ensure educational profile is current and up to date. Participates in the QA/PI process at the unit level as directed by the Lead Nurse. Attends weekly nursing rounds or read/review and understand 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/work place violence, alerts public safety/charge RN/Lead Nurse/and nursing appointing authority.

Communication/Interpersonal Skills/Customer Service includes effectively communicating by actively listening and sharing relevant information with co-workers, supervisor(s) and customers so as to anticipate problems and ensure the effectiveness of the department. Adapts communication methods to respond to different audiences to promote a positive environment. Is appropriate in all communications with co-workers and patients. Receives cross shift report from the off going RN and is aware of all 1:1, SP II, medical and psych issues for each patient. Addresses patient complaints at the unit level. Reports abuse allegations immediately to the charge RN/Lead Nurse/nursing appointing authority and refer to public safety. Alerts the RN to all exceptions, changes in patient status to include suicidal/homicidal ideation, need for medication or RN intervention. Completes and routes paperwork to appropriate area/person (to include incident reports and injury on the job). Corrects and reports any hazardous environmental findings to the Charge RN. Treats all patients and staff with respect. Interactions with all persons are positive, demonstrate tact and diplomacy, and encourage open communication and mutual trust.

Other duties as assigned include performance of assigned tasks and duties within the scope of practice for this position that do not fall within the realm of duty statements A-C.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications: A high school diploma or General Educational Diploma (GED) AND One year (1) experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position. Substitutions: Current, valid certification as a Nurse Aide (CNA) from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies will substitute for the high school diploma or GED. Current, valid licensure as a Practical Nurse (LPN) from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies or any state participating in the Nurse Licensure Compact will substitute for the experience requirement.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience working in a mental or behavioral health setting. Possession of CNA License. Experience assisting residents/patients with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL) care with the mentally ill population. 1 year experience in an inpatient setting. Previous State experience.

Conditions of Employment: 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. Full background check: This position will have direct contact with vulnerable persons (as defined by C.R.S.27-90-111: "Direct contact" means providing face-to-face care, training, supervision, counseling, consultation, or medication assistance to vulnerable persons, regardless of the level of supervision of the department employee. "Direct contact" may include positions in which persons have access to or unsupervised time with clients or patients, including but not limited to maintenance personnel, housekeeping staff, kitchen staff, and security personnel.) CBI & FBI fingerprint check, Colorado Court Database check, Medicare Fraud Database, TRAILS Database check. This position will also provide direct care to vulnerable adults requiring a CAPS check (as defined by C.R.S. 26-3.1-101, position provides services & support care to at-risk/vulnerable adults including case management, clergy, physical or mental health services, safety or welfare services). May work various shifts. Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare. 2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire. This position will be paid biweekly. A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons. Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges. 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 & 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. Annual influenza vaccination. 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.