Clinical Safety Specialist I - CMHHIP

Clinical Safety Specialist I - Full Time CMHHIP This position is open to Colorado state residents only. Please note: Candidate, 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 Hospital in 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 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. Opt in below to receive text message updates on CDHS recruiting events! CDHSCareers This position is required to report to the assigned duty location, no remote option will be available About the Position : This position exists to ensure a safe work environment through application of and adherence to CMHHIP/CDHS policies, Joint Commission Standards, Life Safety Codes and Colorado Revised Statutes. The position responds to crisis situations (i.e physical or verbal assaults against persons or property, suicidal behavior) following hospital policies and procedures, assists with documenting incidents related to safety violations in patient-care areas, works with the treatment teams, and assists nursing and clinical staff to ensure a safe and therapeutic environment. This position assists with environmental safety checks and on unit/on campus transports to treatment programming and meals. Safety: Work involves providing safety and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre-adjudicated patients in a locked/unlocked setting. Supervises for safety of appropriate staff, location, mobility and continual observation of patients. Provide immediate intervention in crisis situations, to include responding to and assisting in verbally threatening or physically violent patients, providing approved verbal de-escalation, and physical interventions, monitoring for escape of and maintaining contact with unit staff. Exercise sound judgment and emotional control when evaluating possible risk taking into consideration the physical and mental well-being of all patients and staff. Participate in defusing and debriefing all incidents. Actively use effective communication skills, non-escalation skills as taught in the hospital approved external control therapeutic techniques when interacting with patients and staff in a positive and respectful manner. Monitor movement of patients in the unit or throughout the building. Maintains hypervigilance and alertness throughout the shift. Escort and transport to internal activities or appointments (e.g., Admissions, medical appointments, court hearing, visits,, etc.) Assist with external appointments/hospital visits if needed for special circumstances when DPS is unavailable which will be approved by the Chief Nursing Officer or designee. Conduct unit and room searches to include property and areas according to the search schedule or as needed. Check windows, doors, all aspects of locking mechanisms on unit and treatment areas to minimize escape risk. Performs monthly safety inspections of clinical units as assigned. Identify safety violations and safety hazards and work with the treatment team to take necessary actions to correct the problem. Monitor patients and visitors during visitation times. Search visitors and property entering the facility prior to contact with the patient. Programming: To provide for and promote a safer, more therapeutic environment by meeting expectations to provide both a deterrent to assaults as well as an additional resource to manage actual assaults and crisis situations. Actively and with positive engagement, follow policies and program procedures. Use prevailing techniques to establish rapport with patients, overcome resistance to change, communicate more effectively in stable circumstances as well as unsettled circumstances. Support CMHHIP initiatives and strategies as it relates to patient programming and crisis intervention. Objectively and fairly monitor, record patient behaviors, and intervene according to program standards related to privileges and consequences. Monitor visitation by ensuring visitors and patients adhere to hospital policies and procedures. Follow daily program schedules based on standards. Recommend any modifications or program to supervisory and/or clinical staff. Facilitate, monitor cleanup of pod/rooms and inspect, according to daily schedule. Escort patients to recreation, treatment groups, canteen, library and meals according to standards, patient’s condition and daily program schedule. Meet with the treatment team to discuss programming issues. Provide safety presence in common areas providing a safer and more therapeutic environment. Respond to crisis situations and assist staff in gaining control of hostile situations. Assist with daily unit functions such as wellness checks and complete one full wellness check per shift, accompany staff assigned to wellness checks twice per hour, escorting patients, attend cross-shift reports and implement behavior plans as directed by the clinical team. Respond to duresses or incidents when called upon on other units as needed. Maintain milieu and provide safety of the unit using clinical interventions before hands on response communicating with the Charge Nurse to establish behavior interventions. Provide and assist with behavioral 1:1 coverage as needed. Documentation: Report and complete an incident report of all known or suspected incidents of abuse as mandatory reporters pursuant to prevailing statute. Organizational Accountability: Demonstrate, support and contribute to a healthy, positive and respectful cultural climate throughout the facility. Communicates with internal/external customers, residents, subordinate staff and co-workers in a professional manner; ensuring to communicate with respect and dignity. Adhere to the CDHS Code of Conduct and all CMHHIP and nursing policies and procedures. Be aware of and adhere to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy and implementing procedures. Adhere to CDHS, CMHHIP Procedures regarding work schedule, timekeeping and leave practices. Training: Attend and actively participate in all CMHHIP/CDHS approved training and external control techniques. This position must successfully complete any/all testing or other requirements for such training. Successful completion may be known or recorded by score or demonstration of skill. Meet and keep current all mandatory training pursuant to prevailing CDHS/CMHHIP Policy. Participate and conduct monthly drills . 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. Other duties as assigned, including but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for quality patient care and safety. Provides coverage for meeting staffing needs of the unit. Minimum Qualifications : High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED). Substitution : None Preferred Qualifications : college education (preferably 2 years or more) in behavioral health and/or juvenile justice related field experience facilitating psychoeducational groups; education/experience working with patients who have trauma experience working with patients in positive leadership roles, such as mentoring and coaching experience utilizing verbal de-escalation and motivational techniques. experience working in a high security locked environment experience working with patients who suffer from mental illness Conditions of Employment: 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). Possess and maintain a valid U.S. driver's license 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 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 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. 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. Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must: Disclose that information on the application. <li dir="ltr" style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1); font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; mar