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Lead Smoking Aide (Patient Care Assistant) (DOH/NMVH #28120)

Salary

 

$18.15 - $27.23 Hourly

$37,752 - $56,628 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C3

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 Lead Smoke Aide is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the resident smoking program to ensure safe, supervised, and compliant tobacco use in accordance with facility policies, CMS/VA regulations, resident rights, and safety standards. This position provides direct smoking supervision, manages smoking schedules, oversees inventory and secure storage of smoking materials, trains backup aids, ensures proper documentation, and always supports resident safety.

How does it get done?

 
Coordinate and lead the facility's smoking schedule for eligible residents.  Supervise resident smoking activities with attention to safety and dignity.  Maintain and reconcile daily inventory of smoking supplies including tobacco products, lighters, matches, and related items.  Ensure secure storage, tracking, and controlled access of resident smoking materials.  Issue and collect smoking materials according to facility policy.  Monitor residents for compliance with smoking rules and behavioral safety.  Maintain clean, safe, and regulatory-compliant smoking areas.  Document attendance, refusals, incidents, and inventory logs.  Conduct routine checks for contraband smoking materials.  Communicate inventory needs and reorder requests to appropriate leadership.  Train smoke aids and designated backup staff.  Report on safety concerns, resident behavioral changes, or violations immediately.  Participate in care plan discussions when related to resident smoking needs.  Assist in emergencies and safety responses in smoking areas.  Comply with CMS, VA, facility policies, OSHA/fire safety regulation.

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

 
Demonstrates a calm, professional demeanor and the ability to lead by example.  Experience working in a long-term care, veterans home, assisted living, or healthcare setting preferred.  Knowledge of resident rights, dignity, and safety requirements.  Ability to supervise and support staff while maintaining accountability.  Strong communication skills with residents, families, nursing staff, and leadership.  Able to recognize changes in resident condition or behavior and report promptly.  Familiar with facility smoking policies, safety procedures, and infection control practices.  Reliable, punctual, and able to manage multiple responsibilities during assigned shifts.  Capable of completing required documentation accurately and timely.  Physically able to assist residents and monitor designated smoking areas safely.

Minimum Qualification

 
High School Diploma and one (1) year of experience as it pertains to the essential duties of the classification. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling one (1) year may substitute for the required experience.

Employment Requirements

 
*** This job requires you to be around cigarette smoke  ***

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.

Must possess and maintain a valid American Heart Association BLS / CPR Certification

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 New Mexico driver's license. 

Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.

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 may be performed both indoor and outdoor at a long-term facility.  Walking throughout the facility and 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.  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
02/01/2026
Job Reference
160627
Organization
Department of Health, State of New Mexico
Location
Truth or Consequences, NM 87901
Category
Allied Health
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