Entry-Level CNA Student – Client Care Aide I – In-House CNA Training – Rifle

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

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

Full-time and part-time positions available

Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!

Office of Adult, Aging and Disability Services

CO State Veterans Community Living Center at Rifle

The Colorado State Veterans Community Living Center at Rifle is located on Colorado's western slope in the scenic Colorado River valley. Rifle offers a mild climate, with plenty of clean mountain air and beautiful blue skies. Amidst this setting, the State Veterans Community Living Center at Rifle provides 89 beds of skilled nursing care, including a 18-bed Special Care Unit for residents with Alzheimer's Disease or related conditions. Serving veterans, their spouse and eligible "Gold Star" parents, we are committed to caring for the whole person by addressing the personal and social needs of each resident, as well as their physical and medical requirements. All staff members of Rifle are committed to providing a life of qualify and dignity for every resident. At the Colorado State Veterans Community Living Center at Rifle, our staff is known for showing love and compassion to our residents. Giving residents a hug, holding their hand or sitting next to them on them on the arm of a chair are just a few of the ways we give care that comes from the heart.

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

Day and evening shifts available

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

**May be part-time and full-time positions available.**

This position is in training to provide basic hands-on patient/resident care in a safe, clean, infection controlled environment by bathing, dressing, grooming, hygiene, skin care, range of motion, positioning, ambulating, transferring, toileting programs, feeding programs, transporting, performing basic assessments (vital signs, blood pressures, weights, etc.), and charting/documenting all of the above.

Under the direction of nursing staff, Courtesy Aides will:

• Perform basic assessments, including monitoring vital signs, taking blood pressure, measuring weight, intake and output, and basic skin assessments.
• Provide infection control by implementing universal precautions, such as proper disposal of waste.
• Clean linen room and equipment, stock supplies, and complete supply forms.
• Perform correct use of safety/positioning devices, side rails, transfer belts, and equipment
• Attend on-going staff education programs.
• Other duties as assigned

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

High school diploma or General Educational Diploma (GED) 

Entry-level Certified Nurse Aide Student must obtain a CNA License within 120 days of hire date

Substitutions:

Current, valid certification as a Nurse Aide (CNA) from the Colorado Department of

Regulatory Agencies will substitute for the high school diploma or GED 

Special Qualifications

• Required to obtain CPR certification and Vaccinations as required by State and facility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned resident care based on the residents' conditions; to use judgment and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant resident information.
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent resident care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DON, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Knowledge of quality standards, procedures, and protocols
• Knowledge of specialized client care applicable to the work situation
• Skill in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to residents.
• Ability to effectively work with an elderly patient population of varying physical, mental and emotional abilities and staff from multiple work units in the facility to achieve quality care planning and delivery
• Ability to observe, identify and respond to the resident's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education.
• Superior verbal, listening and written communication skills with all health care providers, residents, families and general public.
• Demonstrated ability to display professional conduct at all times when dealing with fellow staff members, patients, families and the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Long-term care/nursing home experience is highly desirable 
• Effective problem solving skills

Conditions of Employment:

• Full Background: CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers)
• Must pass a TB test for employment
• 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:
• 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.

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.

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact melissa.hamilton@state.co.us

*Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.

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)

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support