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

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

Salary

$21.28 - $29.79 Hourly

Location

Pueblo, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

IIB 03357 07/13/2026

Department

Colorado Department of Human Services

Division

OBH - CMHIP

Opening Date

07/13/2026

Closing Date

7/27/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Type of Announcement

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Primary Physical Work Address

Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, 1600 W. 24th Street, Pueblo, CO 81003

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

tricia.jepsen@state.co.us

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Department Information

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

This position will be paid bi-weekly.

RECRUITMENT NOTE- While this announcement will be used to fill multiple Units, should an offer be extended 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.

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CDHSCareers

Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!

About us

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining 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.

About 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.

Description of Job

This position exists to deliver nursing care and therapeutic interventions under the supervision of a registered nurse. The Client Care Aide I (CCA I) provides nursing care, which often revolves around assistance with activities of daily living, self-maintenance, and hygiene. A CCA Is main responsibilities include patient observation and reporting, assisting with patient care as directed, and unit maintenance and security.

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. Duties in this position include:

Clinical Skills:

• Responsible for 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 including changing linen, assisting with bathing, feeding, and lifting/turning/transferring patients
• Organizes time daily to assure timely completion of assigned tasks

Accountability:

• Knows, utilizes and follows CMHHIP standards and guidelines: Treatment Plans, Infection Control Manual, and Emergency Response Guides
• Follows and maintains infection control standards and regulations
• Adheres to CMHHIP Employee Code of Conduct and CMHHIP's Organizational Ethics policies
• Follows and complies with all nursing competencies related to the CCA I, is aware and utilizes the Nursing chain of command
• Provide safe/secure transport of patients to yard, gym, visits, administrative conference room, staffing/dispo reviews, court/community reintegration sites
• Knows how to access the nursing drive on the computer and is expected to be proficient in navigating the platform
• 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 Nurse Manager
• 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 ALL claims of harassment/workplace violence, alerts public safety/charge RN/Nurse Manager/and nursing appointing authority immediately

Communication/ Interpersonal Skills/Customer Service:

• Effectively communicates by actively listening and sharing relevant information with co-workers, supervisor(s), and customers to anticipate problems and ensure the effectiveness of the department
• Adapts communication methods to respond to different audiences to promote a positive environment, which is appropriate in all communications with coworkers and patients
• Receives cross-shift reports 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 ALL abuse allegations immediately to the charge RN/Nurse Manager/nursing appointing authority and refer to public safety
• Alerts the RN to all exceptions, and changes in patient status including suicidal/homicidal ideation, need for medication, or RN intervention
• Completes and routes paperwork to the appropriate area/person (to include incident reports and injuries on the job)
• Corrects and reports any hazardous environmental findings to the Charge RN
• Treats all patients and staff with respect, demonstrates tact and diplomacy and encourages open communication and mutual trust

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Responsible for the performance of assigned tasks and duties within the scope of practice for this position that does not fall within the realm of duty statements

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or General Educational Diploma (GED)

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.

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a pro-rated 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:

• Experience working in a mental health setting
• Willingness to work an occasional graveyard/night shift
• Possession of CNA License
• Experience assisting residents/patients with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL) care with the mentally ill population.
• Experience observing, recording, reporting, and documenting changes in a patients condition.

Required Competencies:

• Dependability
• Excellent Oral Communication Skills
• Problem Solving
• Participating as an Active Team Player

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 and reference check required. Name check, TRAILS, and Fingerprinting, CAPS
• A Tuberculosis Test (TB), and other required immunizations will be required upon hire.
• Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare.
• May be required to work overtime as needed on a shift or weekend not part of scheduled hours (days, evenings, or nights).
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, back to back shifts and double back shifts, when necessary.
• Work in a secure facility in locked and unlocked environments.
• Willing to work with the mentally ill population.
• Willing to work with individuals with a range of moods behaviors, utilizing tactfulness and congenial, personal manner.
• 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.
• Physically able to perform the duties required for the position.
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations.
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language, in addition to effectively and fluently communicating 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.
• 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.

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 of 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.

• 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 (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 Directors Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

Supplemental Information

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

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.

THE CAMPUS OF THE COLORADO MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL IN PUEBLO IS TOBACCO FREE

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits

Please note that each agencys contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

The bottom of this job announcement provides links to additional information on how to apply, the assessment process, toll free applicant technical support, and about how the State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. Please acknowledge below that you have read the information provided in these links.

• This information is available to me and I have read this information.
• I am unable to access the links with this information on the job posting. (If you select this option, please contact the recruiter, whose information is listed on this announcement, so that they can send this information directly to you.)

02

Your legal name is used in the hiring process for background checks. Did you use your full legal name in your application? If not, please update your information before submitting your application.

• Yes
• No

03

If you are a current or former State of Colorado employee, please list your employee number (starts with 997…). Your application may be considered incomplete if you do not provide this information. An incomplete application may not move forward in the Selection process. If you are a former or current state employee, please identify what state agency you work(ed) with and how many years of relevant state service you have related to the position you are applying for. (Ensure this is listed on your application under work experience).

04

Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application. In the space below, please explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify your application from the current position. Otherwise, please enter N/A.

05

Do you currently work for the Colorado Department of Human Services? (This includes the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo).

• Yes
• No

06

How many years of patient and nursing care experience in Behavioral Health, Forensic, Medical, or Geriatric patients do you have?

• Less than 1 year of experience.
• 1-3.99 Years or less experience
• 4-5.99 years of experience
• 6-7.99 years of experience
• 8-9.99 years of experience
• 10+ years of experience

07

In this scenario, you are walking down the hall and find a patient lying on the floor in their room alone. What are the steps you take? Place the following items in the correct order: A. Check for breathing or if they have a pulse. B. Assist with interventions delegated by the team within scope. C. Remain with the patient and yell for help/medical emergency/code 0. D. Go to the patients side to see if they are responsive.

• C - B - A - D
• B - C - D - A
• A - B - C - D
• D - C - A - B
• A - D - C - B
• D - A - C - B

08

A small fire is noticed in the trash can of a room within the facility. After removing the patients from the room you should do which of the following?

• Remove oxygen containers and canisters
• Open a window
• Sound the alarm to alert others
• Extinguish the fire
• Notify your supervisor
• All of the above

09

You are assisting a patient who has a history of dementia and acute psychosis. The patient tells you, "I don't like that employee from two days ago." You ask why? The patient tells you, "They don't like me, when I need to go to the bathroom they slap my hand and say 'no, it isn't time!" How would you respond next to this situation?

• Ask the coworker from two days ago if they denied the patient from going to the restroom.
• Immediately document this by completing an incident report and notifying your supervisor.
• Disregard, it is well known that this patient has dementia and must have a history of making false reports
• Report this to the next coworker at shift change to see if they have heard or seen anything similar from either the patient or the reported staff member.
• Send an email to the Chief Executive Officer and your union representative.
• Document in a chronological file for future reference if needed and investigate further.

10

You are working in your assigned unit where you have been posted for the past two months. You see an individual dressed in street clothes on the unit that you do not recognize and does not have a visible ID badge. How would you react to this situation?

• Approach the individual and offer a universal greeting by introducing yourself by name, your position and ask if you can assist them?
• Immediately lockdown the unit due to the security breach and call a Code Silver/Security Alert
• Ignore the individual since they appear to know where they are going and continue to focus on your work duties.
• Report the individual's presence to a more experienced staff member in your unit.
• Report the individual's presence to your supervisor and write an incident report.
• Call the front desk to see if they can verify the person's identity and reason for accessing the unit.

11

Are you a Veteran requesting Preference? If yes, you must submit a copy of DD214

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer State of Colorado

Address See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website https://careers.colorado.gov/