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Associate Patient Care Assistant (Resident Smoke Aide) (DOH/NMVH #11819+)

Salary

 

$16.50 - $24.75 Hourly

$34,320 - $51,480 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C2

Posting Details

 
THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME.  APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.  THIS POSTING MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS.

POSITION IS LOCATED IN TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM

The New Mexico State Veterans' Home is located on sixteen picturesque acres in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. It provides long-term and skilled nursing services for honorably discharged veterans, their spouses, or parents of veterans killed in combat action. The facility has 131 nursing home, skilled-nursing living beds. Services for residents are provided 24/7, focusing on maintaining or improving their physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being under a personalized plan of care developed by licensed health professionals

Why does the job exist?

 
The Associate Resident Care Assistant/Resident Smoking Assistant will be responsible for escorting residents in wheelchairs, walkers, etcetera to the outside smoking area. This job requires you to be around cigarette smoke all day, push and pull residents of all sizes, maintain a log of each smoke session, clean and sanitize all aspects of each smoking area after each smoking session. The smoking assistant will have the primary responsibility of providing cigarettes to residents. The Resident Assistant would be responsible for to assist the C.N. A¿s, LPNS, LVNS, RN¿s, and etc. The primary responsibility of this role is to ensure the residents are receiving the up most care and safety.

How does it get done?

 
Provide cigarette and light/discard & clean cigarette disposals. Many residents need smoke aprons/extenders to prevent burns. Safety is of utmost importance. You will be required to observe and watch each resident as they socially distance smoke while maintaining a calm environment for the other residents while they wait their turn.

Essential Functions
Follow the smoking schedule for residents in homes and annex.
Helping patients with basic care for daily living and changing bedding.
Serving Meals
Listening to the patients regarding any health concerns they might have and reporting details to a C.N.A, LPN, RN, etc.
Observing, documenting, and reporting clinical and treatment information, including the patients¿ behavioral changes.
Assisting with motion exercises and other rehabilitative measures.

Who are the customers?

 
The primary customer are the brave men and women that answered our nations call, executed their duties and now are unable to live in their respective communities due to failing health.  This job will also support the widows of the service men and women to include parents that have lost children in combat (Gold Star Parents)

Ideal Candidate

 
Friendly, approachable, and customer-service oriented, creating a positive experience for residents. Dependable and trustworthy, patient and respectful, with an understanding of the needs of older adults. Flexible and adaptable to changing schedules, and resident requests. Team player who supports colleagues across departments. Organized and detail-oriented, keeping the smoking areas clean. Professional in communication, appearance, and conduct. Takes initiative to assist residents.

Minimum Qualification

 
High School Diploma or equivalent.

Employment Requirements

 
This position is designated safety sensitive.  Employment is subject to pre-employment and random testing, in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules, and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing.

Employment is subject to criminal background check pursuant to New Mexico Caregivers Criminal Screening Act, (Sections 29-17-2 through 29-17-5 NMSA 1978 and 7.1.9.1 through 7.1.9.11 NMAC) and is conditional pending results.

Must possess and maintain a valid Safe Food Handling Certificate or receive within 1 week of date of hire.

Successful completion of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training.

Must sign and observe confidentiality agreement.

Must be able to read, write, speak, and comprehend the English language.

Occasional travel for training & meetings and driving a State of NM owned motor vehicle may be required; Working hours may include weekends, holidays, overtime, and callback hours. Essential functions of the job and specific physical ability requirements will be available at the time of interview or may be obtained at the New Mexico Veterans' Home Human Resources office.

Working Conditions

 
Work is performed within a long-term facility with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT). Walking throughout the facility and outdoor in inclement weather conditions.  Frequent communication and interaction with residents, staff, and the public.  Periods of walking, standing, bending pushing, pulling, lifting, and stretching for a variety of activities may be required.  Must be able to function under pressure and stressful situations Health hazards such as exposure to contagious viruses and diseases.  This position is around smoke all day long.  May also include routine exposure to public, fellow employees, and facility resident illness, stressful situation, and bodily fluids, as well as exposure to physical and/or verbal abuse. Occasional travel for training & meetings and driving a State of NM owned motor vehicle may be required; some lifting; extended hours to meet deadlines will be required. Working hours may include on-call, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and callback hours.  Essential functions of the job and physical ability requirements will be available at the time of interview or may be obtained at the New Mexico Veterans' Home Human Resources Office

Supplemental Information

 

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Agency Contact Information: Berna Garcia, (575) 894-4234, Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

 
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.

Date Posted
05/01/2026
Job Reference
163355
Organization
Department of Health, State of New Mexico
Location
Truth or Consequences, NM 87901
Category
Allied Health
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