Registered Nurse , RN - Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

Department Information

The primary duties of this position are located within 30 miles of the state border; therefore, this position is exempt from the residency requirements. Applications will be considered from residents and non‑residents of Colorado. This position will receive a short‑staffing temporary pay differential of 4% from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

Please note:

this recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies, including both part‑time and full‑time positions.

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, and it also contracts with many private residential and non‑residential service providers throughout the state.

For pre‑adjudicated youth, the Division manages the 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.

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.

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 inisters 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.

Initiates 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 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, administers CPR/First Aid and initiates 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 reports 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…