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Lead Mid-Level Provider / Nurse Practitioner - Campus at Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center

State of Colorado
4 days ago
Full-time
On-site
Golden, Colorado, United States
Outdoors & Adventure

Department Information


This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

This position will receive a short-staffing temporary pay differential of (4%) from July 1st 2025 - June 30th 2026. 

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.



About the Division of Youth Services:  The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides a continuum of residential and non-residential services that encompass juvenile detention, commitment, and parole. DYS is the agency statutorily mandated to provide for the care and supervision of youth committed by the District Court to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Division operates fifteen secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre-adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. The Division also contracts with numerous private residential and non-residential service providers throughout the State.  For pre-adjudicated youth, the Division is also responsible for the management and oversight of Colorado Youth Detention Continuum, a State-funded, locally administered program that provides services to youth at risk of further progressing into the juvenile justice system. In addition to residential programming, the Division administers juvenile parole services throughout the State.
 
We invite you to explore the DYS website and learn about the services provided to youth, families, and local communities in the State of Colorado at: https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/dys


Description of Job


Work Schedule:   Sunday-Saturday, Flexible shifts, possible weekends, hours TBD during interview and based on needs of facility and are subject to change at any time.

Purpose of this Position:
Deliver health care to detained, pre-trial, and committed youth. Primary care is provided by licensed independent practitioners/Mid Level Providers with responsibility for a continuum of health care from initial assessment through development and maintenance of health care including physical, psychiatric, and dental maintenance.

Clinical Management:
Functions as the facility responsible health authority (RHA).  Ensures health screens, health appraisals, histories and physicals, and SOAP notes reflect accurate assessments and appropriate treatments and referrals.  Supervises the health screens, health appraisals, and physical exams of all youth admitted to the facility through observation and review of documentation by medical clinic staff.  Ensures that communicable diseases are detected in a timely manner and appropriate action is taken to prevent their spread within the facility.  Reports to the CDC/State Health Department per requirements in applicable cases. Serves as the facilities’ lead decision maker during emergency medical situations.  Approves and monitors effectiveness of plans and adjusts them as indicated. Responsible to oversee accuracy of pharmacy orders.  Communicates pertinent and appropriate health information to facility staff, families, supervisors and administration to ensure ongoing optimal health care for all youth in the facility.  Functions in the medical clinic as the first line resource for staff when evaluating case complexity. Determines the need for referrals to other physicians and/or specialists for medical, dental and specialty problems beyond the scope of the facility clinic in a fiscally minded manner. Main contact with the DYS Medical Director for consultation and collaboration on individual cases.  Oversees the general function of the medical clinic to include determining staffing patterns, and assigning workload based on the ongoing needs of the facility.  Budget oversight to include ordering and maintaining adequate medical clinic supplies.  Responsible for coordinating all medical, dental, and mental health care with outside providers for the committed and detained youth.    Point of contact for prior authorization for specialized medical care.  Responsible to track all prior authorization requests to ensure accuracy and follow-through.

Participates or selects a candidate to represent medical on a number of committees that may include but is not limited to facility management team, medical leadership team, mental health team, special management program team, EHR, EAC, and safety committee.  Participates as the primary point of contact with other clinics requesting consultation and/or assistance with coverage.  

Serves as the lead medical liaison with the mental health team.  Supervises and trains clinic staff on the evaluation of mental status and mental health conditions of youth.  Oversees and assures appropriate mental health referrals and interventions are practiced by medical clinic staff.  Consults and collaborates with supervisors, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and other mental health clinicians to determine the need for further evaluation or intervention.  Initiates and/or assists in the facilitation of referrals for further mental health treatment and potential transfers. Participates in meetings with psychiatric team and DYS or contracted psychiatrists.  Ensures coordination between clinic and contracted psychiatric services provided at the facility, to include acquisition of psychotropic medications as ordered.  

Oversees and monitors the necessity, coordination and transportation of youth to specialty medical services off campus.  Supervises the coordination of appointments for specialty care to include but not limited to optometry clinics and dental clinics and follow up on recommendations made by those providers.  Collaborates directly with the DYS Medical Director and/or other providers to determine referrals to other specialty providers in the community and that necessary follow up is completed to ensures ongoing and continuing care of youth with special health care needs

Supervision of Staff:  Provides ongoing supervision of the assessment and diagnostic skills of the medical clinic staff through regular observation of their practice and review of the documentation in electronic health record. Supervises clinic staff on proper documentation, to include but not limited to histories, exams, diagnoses, and treatment in the medical record.  Completes and reviews staff documentation on daily medical documents pertinent to the medical department. Supervises clinic staff on safe and legal protocols to prepare and administer medication without error. Supervision of medical clinic staff to include hiring of new staff, disciplining or terminating employees as indicated, ongoing staff performance feedback, through coaching and mentoring, completion of PMAP’s, and accountability for timekeeping-through KRONOS system. Facilitates resolution of interpersonal conflicts, investigates and problem solves internal and external complaints and grievances from staff, youth, family, and other customers.  Scheduling of clinic staff based on the needs of the clinic and the facility.  Approves or denies individual leave. Orients and trains new staff to include students and interns. Point of contact for the local schools for RN, NP or PA students. Facilitates regular staff meetings.

Data and Reporting: Collects and reports monthly statistical data for required for Behavioral Health and Medical Services, and the KPI’s for the facility.  Review policies and procedures on a regular basis and collaborates with facility administrators and supervisors in the writing and/or revising facility medical implementing procedures.  Completes the medical logs pertinent to medical departme

Clinical Duties: Performs physical exams, orders appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic tests, interprets results, formulates treatment plans using established protocol, and documents thoroughly. Detects and prevents the spread of communicable infectious disease by interviewing youth through the completion of health appraisals, sick calls and the obtaining of complete histories.  Participates in obtaining data for health program planning. Consults with the DYS Medical Director for necessary referrals to other physicians and specialists for medical, dental and specialty problems beyond the scope of the medical clinic. Consults with the DYS Medical Director regarding variance from established protocols or when protocols are unavailable.  Provides health education and training to both youth and staff, regarding the health care needs of high risk adolescents in a secure correctional facility. Documents history, exam, diagnosis, treatment in medical record.  Provides written guidelines for staff including emergency care.  Communicates information to staff, supervisors and administration. This includes Food Service for medical diet and food allergy purposes and the school or other units as appropriate. Evaluates mental status, mental health conditions of youth through interview and observation. Use established protocol for prescribing medication and treatment for diagnosed illness.  Prepares and administers medication without error.  Diagnoses medical problems including emergency medical situations by performing physical exams, obtaining lab tests, ordering diagnostic tests, interpreting results, formulating treatment plans, including education.  Initiates and monitors effectiveness of plans and adjusting them as indicating.  Communicates information to the appropriate DYS personnel
 
Other duties as Assigned 

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

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


Sunday-Saturday, Flexible shifts, possible weekends, hours TBD during interview and based on needs of facility.

Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time. 




Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

  • Current, valid licensure as an Advanced Practice Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing; or current, valid licensure as a Physician Assistant from the Colorado Medical Board
  • And Prescriptive authority - "RXN status" (Per DORA).  

Substitutions:  None

Preferred Qualifications:  The successful candidate will have two or more years experience in the following areas:

  • Prescriptive Authority in the State of Colorado
  • Adolescent health care
  • Assessing, diagnosing, and treatment of acute and chronic illness
  • Documentation in an electronic medical record
  • Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.

Highly Desireable Competencies:

  • Knowledge to detect and prevent the spread of communicable infectious disease
  • Knowledge to diagnose medical problems including emergency medical situations by performing physical exams, obtaining lab tests, ordering diagnostic tests, interpreting results, formulating treatment plans of the basic principles of supervision,
  • Knowledge to use established protocols for prescribing medication and treating diagnosed illnesses,
  • Knowledge to evaluate the mental status, and the mental health, conditions of youth through interview and observation,
  • Knowledge of Oral and Written Communication Skills,
  • Ability to resolve conflict,
  • Knowledge and ability of Interpersonal Skills,
  • Knowledge and experience clinically supervising medical staff.

Conditions of Employment:

  • Be a minimum of 21 years of age.
  • 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).

  • 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.

  • Motor Vehicle Check 

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

  • Shift Work : 24/7 facility, may require evenings and weekend coverage
  • Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas
  • The Diana Screen®, a sexual risk screening tool, is administered to all applicants to the Division of Youth Services (DYS) seeking positions of trust with children and teens to help ensure that ethical boundaries between children and adults are maintained. At the DYS, the safety and protection of the youth who have been entrusted to us is our #1 priority. Your results of the Diana Screen will be provided to the DYS and may be used as part of the Division's decision to select you.
  • 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.



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


            Need help with your application? Click here.


The Assessment Process


For additional recruiting questions, please contact Isaac.Phelps@state.co.us

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:



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.