Job Description

Posting number: IIC 02196 8/20/2026

Department: Colorado Department of Human Services

Division: OBH - CMHIFL

Job classification: Mental Health Clinician III

Posting type: Open

Categories: Mental Health

The Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan (CMHIFL) is one of two state hospitals serving our community. The vision of CMHIFL 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. CMHIFL provides inpatient treatment to adult patients, generally between the ages of 18-59. The hospital currently has 154 adult inpatient beds, over seven treatment milieus serving civil and forensic individuals. Medical services, occupational therapy, neuropsychological-rehabilitation services, and trauma-informed care services are available for all patients throughout the hospital.

Through our core values listed below, CMHIFL 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
  
  

The Clinical Mental Health Clinician III works in the 24-hour state psychiatric hospital with individuals voluntarily and involuntarily committed for treatment. Patients receiving treatment at CMHHIFL have severe and persistent mental illness and may have traumatic brain injury, trauma disorders, and other complex dynamics. Each treatment team is multidisciplinary, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, addiction specialists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, creative arts therapists, nurses, physicians, and mental health clinicians. In addition, the hospital offers dietary, peer, and chaplain services.

Examples of duties

You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times.

The Clinical MHC III is an unlicensed staff member who operates under the supervision of a licensed clinician within Clinical Services. This position is generally responsible for utilizing knowledge, evidence-based research, and interpersonal skills to establish therapeutic rapport and assist in treatment provision. The MHC III is responsible for the provision of psychoeducational treatment groups and assistance with clinical treatment groups. This position will contribute to the creation of group materials, evidence-based treatment interventions, and establishing treatment schedules across the hospital. The Clinical MHC III will support the psychology team in the creation, training, and maintenance of support and behavior plans across the hospital. In addition, this position will be responsible for assisting with group assignment, patient movement to and from treatment group locations, documentation, and safety checks throughout off-unit events. The Clinical MHC III may assist with off-campus clinical outings for those in our care and in partnership with other disciplines. This position will work under the supervision of a licensed clinical professional. In order to best support the patients across the hospital, the Clinical MHC III may attend and contribute to various treatment team meetings, including treatment planning and debriefings. Other duties include:

Group Intervention:

• Responsible for the provision of psychoeducation/didactic group intervention, may assist in clinical group programming, and assist with the facilitation of the assignment and treatment provision process. This requires the position to research best practices and evolving interventions, and create group materials in partnership with the licensed clinician for a variety of group interventions and psychiatric needs.
• Assists in the creation and execution of a treatment group assignment process for each treatment unit and hospital-wide, which will focus on patient-specific needs, clinician skill-set, and safety. Treatment intervention may occur in the treatment unit, in the treatment mall, and/or in the community.
• Responsible for assessing patient responsiveness, appropriateness of materials, and real-time decision-making to ensure the intervention is optimally received by those in attendance.
• Shares responsibility in development of treatment schedules, which evolve to meet patient needs. Lastly, this position will assist in escorting patients throughout the hospital and possibly into the community in order for them to participate in group treatment.
  

Individual Intervention:

• Responsible for assisting with the creation of support and behavior plans, which consist of research, consultation, drafting interventions, plan-related documents, assisting with training staff members, and assisting with refresher training and data collection for plan maintenance. These plans are the responsibility of the licensed psychologist, and the Clinical MHC III will work under that supervision to support the process, as opposed to leading the process.
• There may also be times when an individual intervention is approved by the licensed psychologist to be facilitated by the Clinical MHC III after adequate training is received (i.e., cognitive remediation).
  

Documentation:

• Responsible for documenting all patient contact interactions, including group and individual intervention.
• Documentation is also required for other clinically relevant interactions, collateral engagement, team meetings, and training or consultations. All documentation is completed in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) and should adhere to HIPAA requirements and privacy laws.
• Documentation is expected to be neutral, unbiased, and based on FAIR charting principles.
  

Consultation and Training:

• Required to support hospital-wide clinical intervention and treatment needs, including via consultation with individual team members, teams, and departments.
• Supports training specific to clinically driven individual and group treatment interventions.
• May accompany the licensed clinician overseeing the intervention or may independently lead consultation or training for an aspect of it.
  

Other Duties As Assigned:

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

Qualifications

Experience Only:

Six (6) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to six (6) years

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous state experience.

• Experience with SPMI population at the inpatient level.

• Experience with therapy and assessment.

• BA in a psychology-related field.

• Active pursuit of a doctoral degree in psychology; experience working with multidisciplinary teams.

Conditions of Employment:

• Vaccinations as required per the State of Colorado
• Shift work eligible
• Travel: May need to transport patients to off-campus outings

• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License or a 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

• MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD CHECK: This position will drive a state fleet or non-state fleet vehicle for State business purposes.

• Full Background CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons):
  CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services),Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers)

• 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 Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

Supplemental information

• 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 and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.