Clinical Therapist II - Clinical Services Department at Fort Logan

This position will be accepting applications from residents and non-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. If appointed to a position, applicants from outside of Colorado will be required to relocate to Colorado prior to their start date, at their own expense.

The Colorado Mental Health Hospital at Fort Logan (CMHHIFL) is one of two state hospitals serving our community. The vision of CMHHIFL is to provide the highest quality mental health services to persons with complex, serious, and persistent mental illness within the resources available. Our mission is to support those individuals in achieving their recovery goals and reaching their full potential. CMHHIFL provides inpatient treatment to adolescent and adult patients, generally between the ages of 13-59. The hospital currently serves adolescent, civil, and forensic individuals across seven treatment milieus. Medical, psychiatric, psychological, social work, addiction, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Recreation Therapy, Music Therapy, and Mental Health Clinician services are available for all patients throughout the hospital.
Through our core values listed below, CMHHIFL staff is committed to:

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

On-site: You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times. 

Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time. 
This position’s primary purpose is to provide direct care and supervision of youth/adults and to engage groups of youth/adults in custody in structured and therapeutic activities using a variety of discipline-specific perspectives including, but not limited to: Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), Board-Certified Music Therapists (MT-BC), Trauma-Informed Registered Yoga Teacher (TI-RYT), and Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC). Modalities available include, but are not limited to: arts and crafts, drama, music, and dance/movement; sports and games. Other duties include:

Treatment Implementation:

• Treatment implementation is conducted according to CMHHIFL and Therapeutic Activities (TA) department procedures, standards of practice, and ethics to ensure treatment quality, safety, and effectiveness. 
• Utilizes hospital-approved low-level and crisis management techniques across teams. 
• Provides therapeutic and habilitative services and supports to the client population, implements and documents objectives and achievements as identified by the treatment plans of persons served. 
• Provides group and individual treatment, as well as community outings when clinically indicated throughout the week.
• Develops, organizes, and leads program activities which promote a level of social, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral growth of individuals in care;  
• This may include the development of high incentive programs and running psychoeducation or skill-building groups as well as coaching and instructing others on successful group strategies.  All therapeutic programs are monitored ongoing, and initiation of necessary changes are implemented quickly to ensure programs are progressing.
• Participates in interdisciplinary/collaborative team processes, reviewing, changing, modifying, or terminating based on patient response to treatment or significant change in the patient’s functioning.
• Assists in the development of individual growth and change plans.
• Plans and prepares activities for non-school days, including holidays.

Specialized Practice Clinical Programming:

• Creation, implementation, and oversight of specialized clinical programming that is value added to the department and patient treatment experience. This may include specialized individual interventions and group treatment. 
• Conducts research, utilizes evidence-based practices, development of protocols, development of processes, and assesses operational impact and budgetary needs. Such programming otherwise adheres to the same assessment and treatment expectations with regard to incorporation in a treatment plan and documentation in the EHR. 
• Cross-hospital consultation specific to the TA programming and staff support in any associated secondary treatment implementation.

Assessment and Planning:

• Determines approved interventions to meet immediate inpatient treatment needs and encourages utilization of therapeutic recreation concepts in the patient’s recovery.
• Further discipline-specific assessment (when clinically indicated or referred) develops specific treatment interventions to meet individualized treatment needs not addressed by the overall program.
• Collaborates in a multidisciplinary manner for inclusion in the patient’s care planning.
• Treatment goals and objectives are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-specific (SMART).
• Document all group and individual sessions engaged with and relevant information in the EHR.
• Progress notes are submitted in a timely manner in the EHR.
• Offers hospital-wide consultation on an as-needed basis and may provide clinical guidance regarding effective and appropriate interventions through discipline-specific practices. 
• Reviews documentation and medical records, gathers behavioral observations, assesses directly or indirectly, cross-discipline consultation, and synthesizes information to offer recommendations.
• Contributes to treatment plan reviews, individual consultation sessions, family meetings, discharge planning, and/or cross-team consultations.

Documentation:

• As an individual contributor, assessments, re-assessments, and treatment, progress, and discharge planning is completed within the EHR and according to hospital and Therapeutic Activity department policy and procedures, and national standards of practice.
• Documents all group and individual sessions engaged in and relevant information in the EHR.
• Progress notes are submitted promptly in the EHR.
• Documentation must be individualized and capture the progress of each individual.

Training and Education Competencies:

• Maintains current skills, remains informed of best practices, retains and gains knowledge and competencies in the treatment of persons with mental illness, including relevant age, gender, equity, diversity, inclusion, justice, and cultural issues, psychiatrically and holistically sound treatment and risk interventions, trauma-informed approaches, and discipline-specific assessment and treatment techniques and modalities.
• Maintain current certification (e.g., CTRS credential, MT-BC), as well as complete other hospital and/or TA Department continuing education requirements.
• Attend TA Department meetings, Clinical Services Department meetings, and represent the TA Department on Hospital committees or task forces to foster inter-departmental communication and collaboration to achieve the Hospital’s mission.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Other duties as assigned include hospital-wide ad hoc activities, TA-sponsored events, milieu support, etc

Experience Only:

Five (5) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.

OR

Education and Experience: 

A combination of related education in Recreation Therapy and/or Music Therapy and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to five (5) years.

Special Qualifications: Must possess and maintain a credential (e.g., MT-BC, CTRS) through the accrediting bodies. Must obtain certification before hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous State Experience

• Experience practicing with adolescent population

• Experience practicing from a Trauma-Informed Perspective

• Experience practicing within an inpatient setting

Conditions of Employment:

• Other – Explain: TB testing, annual influenza, COVID, and other vaccines as required by the State of Colorado.
• Full Background  CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons):
  CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, TRAILS (child abuse / neglect database system check), Reference Checks,Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers)
• 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.
• Shift Work – Explain: Subject to assigned shifts.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

• Disclose that information on the application.

• 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.

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

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 in the application form. 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 reviewing and rating all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing. 

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.

Below is some additional information:

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.  

• You can find the official appeal form here. 

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

  • By email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), 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(YouTube Video, Runtime 3:59, Closed Captions Available)

• The Assessment Process

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 cdhs_ada@state.co.us.

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 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. 

2. Close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.