This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
This position will receive a short-staffing temporary pay differential of 4% from July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026.
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies (Including both part and full time positions).
Campus at Lookout Mountain includes:
Aspire Youth Services Center
Golden Peak Youth Services Center
Summit Youth Services Center
Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!
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
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.
Summary of Position:
Delivers health care to detained and committed youth within the nurse’s scope of practice. Primary care is provided by independent practitioners with responsibility for a continuum of care from the initial assessment through development and maintenance of health care including physical, psychiatric and dental maintenance.
Specific Job Duties:
Clinical Duties: Initial nursing assessments and triage of requests for health/medical care submitted by youth. Reviews the admission medical information obtained by security staff at intake. Administers nursing care and provides the youth education for routine, urgent and emergent medical situations within scope of practice. Obtains laboratory and other diagnostic procedures ordered by medical providers, review results and notify provider of results when indicated. Initiate nursing/medical treatment plans for youth with special health care needs. Reviews and revises treatment plans as needed. Completes health appraisals, physical exams, vision/hearing screenings, in-house laboratory diagnostic testing (e.g. urine dipsticks, pregnancy tests, STI urine testing, PPD tests etc.), and immunizations per Division of Youth Services (DYS) policy. Documents all encounters with youth in electronic medical records system and/or appropriate medical logs in an accurate and timely manner. Maintains confidentiality of all patient information (oral and written) according to federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. Initiates consultations/referrals to mid-level provider and/or appropriate physician when indicated. Responds to requests for emergent situations (Code Blue, Code Red) occurring on campus, administer CPR/First Aid and initiate a 911 call if indicated. Delivers medications, medical supplies and evaluates youth who may be confined to specific buildings or rooms throughout the campus setting. Other nursing duties as delegated/ordered by DYS physicians or mid-level providers.
Medication and Treatment: Responsible for the ordering and preparation of youth’s medications for administration within the facility. Transcription and procurement of psychiatrist, physician, and/or mid-level provider medication orders. Maintains accuracy of individual Medication Administration Records through reviewing and updating on a continuous basis. Monitors those records for medication errors and reporting them to the Lead Medical or Mid-Level Provider in charge, including lack of documentation regarding administration of medications. Educates youth and staff about medications, side effects, desired effects and importance of compliance with prescribed medications. Investigates and documents interviews with youth refusing prescribed medications and initiates interventions. Maintains inventory logs of medications arriving at the facility for youth, preparing them for administration by medical and QMAP staff and delivering them to youth.Transcribes, orders, prepares and administers medications including intramuscular medications per prescribed providers’ orders. Updates Medication Administration Record (MAR). Monitors MARs for errors and reports errors to medical clinic supervisor and facility administration. appropriate living units located throughout the campus. Assists in ordering and maintaining stock supplies, medications and equipment within the campus clinics. Monitors inventory and restocks medications and supplies in campus clinics and living units. Checks campus First Aid Kits, AED’s, pharmaceutical refrigerators and other equipment on a continuing basis to maintain adequate functioning of the medical department and provision of health care for youth. Documents administration of youth medications and behavioral contacts in electronic medical record database. Assess vaccine status and administers needed vaccines per CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and provider recommendation. Follows Vaccine for Children’s Program protocols for immunization administration and safe storage and handling.
Mental Health: Evaluates resident’s mental status/mental health and behavioral health conditions through interview, health appraisal, and observation. Performs nursing assessment of youths’ mental status through interview and observations, health screen, and health appraisal. Provides basic mental health intervention and refer to psychiatrist or mental health resource for further evaluation, intervention or transfer to a mental health institution. Provides basic nursing interventions/education during encounter with youth as indicated. Makes appropriate referrals and/or consultations with mental health providers or psychiatrist. Conducts mental health referrals as necessary. Actively involves parents and legal guardians in the care and treatment of the mental health of their youth.
Health Education: Assesses and identifies the knowledge deficits regarding general health and hygiene topics presented by youth in routine and formal encounters. Provides individual and group education regarding health promotion, disease and injury prevention to youth and staff on an ongoing basis. Topics specific to this population include but are not limited to: healthy lifestyle i.e. diet, exercise, sleep hygiene, stress management, proper hygiene practices, dental care, STI’s and safe sexual practices, contraceptive options, injury prevention using helmets and other protective sports gear and other issues identified by youth/staff. Identifies gender-specific educational needs of youth. Provides ongoing education regarding medication administration, infection prevention and other health related topics specific to staff.
Other Duties as AssignedApplicants must meet the minimum qualifications listed below to continue in the selection process for this position.
Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:-
Current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)
No Substitutions-
Note, nothing in these Minimum Qualifications alleviates the criteria to transfer licensing or any requirements by the respective board under the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
Preferred Qualifications:
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Experience with adolescent health care.
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Experience with mental health nursing
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Experience with correctional nursing
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Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.
Highly Desirable Competencies:
Knowledge of current medications, administration, their actions and use.
Ability to work in collaborative relationships with other professionals to achieve interdisciplinary goals set for the client.
Ability to assess and coordinate community health care services to meet the needs of clients and their families.
Ability to collect, record, and interpret data concisely and accurately.
Ability to self-regulate emotions when provoked or when working under conditions of stress
Conditions of Employment:
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Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence
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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).
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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.
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Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check
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Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License
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Ability to work shift work as required.
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Essential Services Designation – Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare.
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Travel. May require floating to other DYS Youth Centers to help with coverage, travel to meetings and training.
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Use, Handling, or Exposure to hazardous materials – Explain: Medical Waste
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Must maintain a current CPR Card and perform CPR adequate compressions and ventilations per CPR guidelines.
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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.
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Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
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Disclose that information on the application.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.
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You can find the official appeal form here.
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You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:
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By email ([email protected]), or
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Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, or
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Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or
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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
Need help with your application? Click here.
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 [email protected].
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
