NURSE - Veterans Community Living Center at Rifle

Department Information

Applicants for this position must be current Colorado residents.

The Colorado State Veterans Community Living Center at Rifle is located on Colorado's western slope in the scenic Colorado River valley. It provides 89 beds of skilled nursing care, including a 18‑bed Special Care Unit for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions. The Center serves veterans, their spouses, and eligible Gold Star parents.

You are required to work at your assigned location during scheduled work times. Day and evening shifts are available, and work arrangements may change. The purpose of this unit is to honor and respect residents through companionship, individualized care, and a safe environment.

• Perform admission and daily assessments during clinical stay, identifying critical conditions, incidents, emergencies, acute illnesses, and behavior changes.
• Identify and implement nursing interventions, treatment plans, and physician referrals.
• Document current, accurate, and pertinent information regarding care and treatment provided to residents.
• Indicate changes in status, medications, and physician orders.
• Detect abnormal resident health status indicated by symptoms, vital signs, and laboratory results and report to physician.
• Drive a state vehicle for off‑site pre‑admission assessments or transport residents to the doctor or hospital if not ambulance.
• Direct and implement nursing care, ensuring compliance with nursing standards, facility policies, and VA and Colorado regulations.
• Direct subordinates to assure standards are met.
• Review and audit physician orders, MARS, CNA flow sheets, bathing schedules, and BM sheets for policy compliance.
• Perform prescribed treatments and ensure safe medication administration.
• Administer IV therapy and venipuncture per physician orders, state, federal, and VA regulations.
• Monitor residents’ clinical, physical, and environmental safety through assessments and rounds; identify and implement interventions and notify family, physician, NHA, and DON.
• Serve as a resource to subordinate staff, ensuring timely and proper resident care.
• Train subordinate staff and verify competencies are completed.
• Provide input to management on direct care performance, documentation, attendance, and interpersonal skills for evaluation purposes.
• Evaluate workload, prioritize assignments, and delegate duties to ensure quality and continuity of care.
• Maintain updated skills, knowledge, and competencies through continuing education, literature review, and participation in team development.
• On‑call may be necessary on special occasions.
• Provide active listening and support to residents and families via phone and personal contact.

Current, valid licensure as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).

• Current and active RN license renewal required.
• Willingness to submit to a full background check.
• Willingness to travel for conferences and industry‑specific trainings/meetings.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Willingness to undergo TB testing.
• Availability for day, evening, and night shifts, including holidays and weekends as needed.
• On‑call rotation as defined in facility protocol.

• Relevant years of state service experience.

• Full background check (CBI, fingerprint, court database, Medicare fraud, reference checks, license verification, drug screen, CAPS).
• Must pass a TB test.
• Must be a Colorado resident at application and throughout employment.
• Motor vehicle check if driving a state‑owned vehicle; must possess a valid, non‑restricted Colorado Driver’s License.
• Out‑of‑state driver’s license holders must obtain a valid Colorado license within 30 days of employment start date.
• Disclosure of any prior disciplinary termination or resignation required.

• 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 Benefit Hub Resource Center.
• Employee wellness program.
• Excellent work‑life programs such as flexible schedules and training.
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions.
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

CDHS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Requests should be directed to

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to diversity and inclusion.