Correctional Security Officer I - Public Safety

Colorado Mental Health Institute At Pueblo

This position is to provide a safe, secure environment for all persons on the grounds of the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo and within the surrounding community, by enforcing laws and regulations involving the custody of criminally insane patients of the Institute and of convicted felons from the Department of Corrections and the Division of Youth Corrections. This position is aware of and adheres to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy, DPS Policy, and CMHIP specific procedure. Specific duties and expectations of the job are detailed in the five sections below : Safety / Security; Programming; Documentation / Recording; Training and Organizational Accountability.

Safety / Security : Providing the direct care, safety, security and supervision of adjudicated and / or pre-adjudicated patients in a locked setting. Provide immediate intervention in crisis situations. Employ sound judgment and emotional control when evaluating possible crises promptly taking into consideration the physical and mental well-being of all patients and staff. Participate in defusing and debriefing all incidents. Monitor the movement of patients in the units or throughout the building. Escort and transport to activities or appointments internal and / or external. Conduct searches of persons' property or areas according to schedule or as needed. Check windows, doors, all aspects of locking mechanisms, and building grounds to minimize escape risk. Actively use effective communication skills, verbal de-escalation skills, and CTI skills when interacting with patients and staff positively and respectfully. Provide interior security within the facility by patrolling the patient areas on irregular patrols establishing preventative enforcement through Officer presence.

Programming : 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 crises. Actively and with positive engagement, implement and follow policies and program procedures. Observe, monitor, detect, record, and report problem behaviors. Communicate expectations for behavior, events, rules, or other milieu requirements. Use prevailing techniques to establish rapport with patients, overcome resistance to change, and communicate more effectively in stable circumstances as well as unsettled circumstances. Support CMHIP / DPS initiatives and strategies as they relate to patient programming and crisis intervention. Provide officer presence in common areas providing a safer and more therapeutic environment. Respond to crises and assist staff in gaining control of hostile situations.

Documentation : Document observations of patient behavior and response to treatment. Document all unit activities and relevant information on the daily shift log. Ensures validity and continuity in the security accounting and reporting system by accurately reporting all pertinent security information in log books and by attaining and preserving all essential patient documents. Report 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 and in all communications. 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 DPS Policy and Procedures. Be aware of and adhere to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy, and implementing Procedures. Adhere to CDHS, DPS Policy, and CMHIP Procedures regarding work schedule, timekeeping, and leave practices. Perform continuous, irregular patrols within the facility.

Training : Attend and actively participate in all assigned training and successfully complete any / all testing or other requirements for such training. Maintain required certifications as appropriate. Successful completion may be known or recorded by score or demonstration of skill. Meet and keep current all mandatory training pursuant to prevailing CMHIP / DPS Policy.

Other Duties as Assigned : Required to assist per recommendations from the Appointing Authority and / or Supervisor, should other duties within reason arise in accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes, CDHS, CMHIP and DPS Policies and Procedures.