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Recreational Therapist II (DOH/NMVH #15606)

Salary

 

$20.86 - $33.38 Hourly

$43,395 - $69,432 Annually

This position is a Pay Band HD

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 activity director plans and oversees recreational activities such as sports, arts, and crafts at facilities like Veterans Homes and Nursing Homes, recreation centers, parks, and camps. An activity director plans and oversees all the recreational activities for the facility, manages recreational spaces and supplies, and coordinates with other staff members. They work directly with participants, leading them in activities including sports, arts and crafts, music and dance, or board games. They must communicate well and be able to help people with varying levels of ability to participate safely in activities. In medical facilities, the activity director often works with caregivers to create activities that are beneficial to patients' particular treatment plans. Their duties focus on creating activities that enrich participants' lives with physical and cognitive exercise and socialization.

How does it get done?

 
Maintaining a calendar of activities and effectively communicating it to participants
Coordinating and communicating with staff members
Overseeing group activities
Posting a monthly calendar of events that include physical, cognitive, and social events that bring community in, and taking residents out to ensure their total psychosocial well- being is maintained.
Arranging travel to off-site activities
Ensuring that staff and participants follow all safety protocols.
Submitting budgetary recommendations for equipment and supplies
Monitoring patient health and providing reports to caregivers.

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

 
Leadership
Communication and public speaking
Strong interpersonal skills and conflict management
Planning and budgeting
First aid and CPR
Develop weekly and monthly activity schedule.
Coordinate calendar with staff
Staff scheduling to ensure the maximum coverage for resident care,
Time keeping (ensuring overtime is kept to minimum unless approved
Seek vendors for outside entertainment bookings.
Schedule games and other in-house activities
Promote participation during each event.

Minimum Qualification

 
High School Diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of experience as it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities 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 two (2) years may substitute for the required experience.

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.

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 is performed in a home like setting within a long-term facility with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. 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
07/08/2025
Job Reference
156032
Organization
Department of Health, State of New Mexico
Location
Truth or Consequences, NM 87901
Category
Mental Health/Social Services
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