Psychologist I-CMHHIP

Salary: $87,612.00 - $131,292.00 Annually
Location : Pueblo, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: IIB 04622 11/12/26
Department: Colorado Department of Human Services
Division: OBH - CMHIP
Opening Date: 11/12/2026
Closing Date: 12/27/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information:
Primary Physical Work Address: In person position not eligible for remote work reporting to: Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo, 1600 W. 24th Street, Pueblo, CO 81003
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.

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies
Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP)
The purpose of this position is to provide mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to patients with psychological and emotional disorders. This position may offer individualized or group therapy, counseling, and other evidence-based interventions to help the patients cope with their conditions, improve their mental well-being, and support their recovery. This position will also collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to develop treatment plans and ensure the overall well-being of patients admitted to CMHHIP. This position may be assigned to a specific unit or location or may be assigned to care on a referral-based services model, or both. Duties in this position include:

Patient Treatment/Specialized Treatment Methods:

• Provides evaluation, direct treatment, behavioral planning and support to unit treatment programming, either while assigned to a specific unit, or on a case-by-case referral-based model or both, within the guidance of CMHHIP policies and procedures and practice standards
• Provides scheduled, structured treatment to include group and individual therapy within the context of specialized treatment programs such as Trauma treatment, Addictions Counseling, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Functional Behavior Analysis & Programming, or other treatment modalities found to be efficacious with patients with serious mental illness.
• Performs referrals for consultation and recommendations or longer-term interventions
• Performs relevant evaluation and individual/group treatment for the purpose of increasing emotional regulation, coping skills, and behavior regulation
• Reviews the Positive Behavior Support (PBS) utilized on the unit to provide incentives for active treatment participation and to develop socially effective behavior
• Provides psychoeducation to patients, their families and staff as needed
• Offers assessment, recommendations and crisis intervention and support to patients referred for in acute distress
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, including psychiatrists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals, to ensure comprehensive care for patients
• Develops and implements effective treatment plans (IPOC) that align with patients' unique needs and goals, while considering their cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Participates in the Plan of Care (POC) process to provide interventions as required for all referred services
• Provides evidence-based individual therapy to patients, utilizing various therapeutic approaches tailored to their specific needs and goals
• Evaluates and monitors patients' progress throughout the treatment process, adjusting interventions as needed
• Facilitates group therapy sessions when necessary, fostering a supportive and therapeutic environment.
• Coaches, models interventions, and provides therapeutic coverage as needed to help maintain treatment fidelity and effectiveness in adherence with hospital policy
• Adheres to ethical guidelines and maintains confidentiality in all interactions with patients
• Practices thorough and accurate documentation in compliance with ethical and legal standards
• Maintains current knowledge of HIPAA requirements and adheres to all privacy and confidentiality of patient records
• Adheres to a set work schedule and to integrate patient treatment within the larger unit schedule

Assessments, Evaluation and Court Testimony:

• Conducts comprehensive psychological assessments to evaluate patients' emotional, cognitive, and behavioral concerns
• Performs Psychological Assessment, Neuro-psychological screenings/testing, Risk Assessments and/or Suicide Risk Assessments, Behavioral Assessments, or any other assessments within the scope of practice
• Completes assigned assessments per MD/PA/NP referrals
• Provides feedback to the patient and clinical team members after assessment completed and instructs in appropriate treatment interventions based on findings
• Accurately diagnose and participate in the formulation of treatment plans based on psychological assessments and clinical interviews
• Prepares and delivers to courts, via expert testimony, professional opinion regarding diagnosis and treatment progress of patients under care, specific to role as treatment provider
• Completes any written report required by the court to integrate findings and recommendations
• Provides specific treatment information regarding patient progress and/or report findings of assessments/evaluations within the context of expertise and professional standing
• Maintains statistical and research knowledge of specific treatment modalities utilized and or evaluation instruments
• Maintains legal knowledge sufficient to provide testimony within a court setting
• Communicates findings clearly and succinctly
• Maintains a thorough understanding of the HIPAA requirements for any reports or testimony asked for by the court
• Answers questions required by the court officials appropriately
• Participates in training and provides expert testimony
• Consults with the Assistant Attorney General for guidance on appropriateness of planned testimony prior to the court appearance

Department/Team Collaboration/Clinical Education and Other Duties as Assigned:

• Participates in department and CMHHIP committees and meetings as assigned
• Models and reinforces effective interpersonal skills
• Attends routine Psychology Department meetings and various meetings to represent the psychology department
• Attends and participates in Morning Report, Temporary Physical Removals (TPR's) and Clinical Team Meetings and patient plan of care as appropriate
• Establishes or utilizes appropriate team meetings to provide clinical education/case consultation on difficult to treat patients.
• Provides professional development opportunities for direct care staff, such as nursing or other mental health providers within the context of specific CMHHIP and program needs
• Assists in helping other professionals understand and integrate the complexity of patient needs, particularly in the treatment of mental illness and restoration
• Assists others in developing skills and competencies regarding evidenced based treatments, identifying risk, and practicing frequently recommended interventions with patients
• Assists direct care and mental health care staff to identify barriers to good treatment
• Assists in helping teams identify "turf" issues and increase communication, collaboration, and cooperation
• Maintains ongoing continuing education requirements for professional licensure
• Performs any additional assigned tasks and duties within the scope of practice for this position that do not fall within duty statements above

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:
Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

Current, valid licensure as a Psychologist from the Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners

One (1) year of experience as a licensed psychologist or permitted psychologist candidate

No Substitutions
Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a clinical or psychiatric Healthcare setting
• Specialization in a specific area of clinical psychology and psychological testing (e.g., adolescent or gerontological psychology, trauma therapy, neuropsychology)
• Ability to demonstrate expertise in evidence-based therapeutic techniques
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Cultural competence and sensitivity in working with diverse populations
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and ethical practices

Conditions of Employment:

• Full Background check and Reference Check required
• 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 , if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an on-going capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc.
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License or an 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.
• Other Conditions of Employment specific to Program
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
  1. Disclose that information on the application.
  2. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
  3. 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.

• 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
• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete hospital adopted physical intervention training and CPR
• Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist
• Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled containment to the floor
• Withstand impact on own body using an ASP shield
• Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for using a defensive tactic
• Kneel on one or both knees and stand up again with multiple repetitions
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety
• Seize, hold, control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury
• Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language; effectively and fluently communicates in English, both verbally and in writing
• Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) wh