Skip to content
Search Public Health Job Opportunities Across The Nation

Explore national fellowship and internship opportunities

The list includes opportunities with governmental public health agencies, nonprofits organizations, global health initiatives, and more. Opportunities include, but are not limited to, national programs affiliated with the Centers of Disease Control and Preventions (CDC).

Recreational Therapy Aide (DOH/NMVH #34065+)

Salary

 

$15.00 - $22.50 Hourly

$31,200 - $46,800 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C1

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?

 
Recreational Therapist Aide assists in the delivery of recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses.

How does it get done?

 
Assists in providing meaningful therapeutic, medically approved recreation activities to residents to improve and maintain physical, social, and emotional well-being.
Escorts or transports residents to daily activities conducted either onsite, on facility grounds, or in the community.
Assists with loading/unloading residents safely onto buses, wheelchairs, and other mobility devices for recreational outings.
Prepares, sanitizes, distributes, and retrieves supplies, materials, and adaptive equipment used during recreational programs.
Monitors residents during group and individual activities to ensure safety, engagement, and dignity.
Assists residents with feeding, grooming, and transport to and from activities as needed.
Supports veterans in making choices about leisure activities and encourages independence in decision-making.
Observes resident behavior and participation, reporting changes in mood, behavior, or engagement to the Recreational Therapist or Nursing staff.
Provides companionship to residents, including conversation, reading, and supporting social interactions.
Leads or co-leads small group programs such as games, arts and crafts, music, exercise, gardening, and special interest clubs.
Supports holiday observances, military recognition events, cultural programs, and family visitation activities.
Assists with organizing and hosting special events such as Veteran recognition ceremonies, community volunteer visits, and intergenerational programs.
Help maintain accurate attendance records, equipment inventories, and program documentation.
Prepare bulletin boards, newsletters, and postings to promote upcoming activities and special events.
Provides one-on-one in-room activities for residents unable to attend group sessions.
Demonstrates sensitivity and respect for the special needs of aging veterans, including those with dementia, PTSD, mobility impairments, and other chronic conditions.
Assists in the maintenance, cleaning, and safe storage of recreational supplies, crafts, and equipment.
Participates in staff meetings, in-service training, and ongoing quality improvement initiatives.
Performs other related duties as assigned to support the Recreation Therapy Department and overall resident well-being.

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

 
Enthusiastic and motivated to engage residents in recreational and social activities.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with veterans, families, volunteers, and staff.
Demonstrates respect and understanding of veterans¿ backgrounds, military culture, and individual life experiences.
Dependable and team-oriented, able to support recreation staff in planning and delivering programs.
Creative and resourceful in assisting with group activities, special events, and seasonal celebrations.
Flexible and adaptable to changing schedules, resident interests, and program needs.
Organized and attentive to detail when setting up, tracking participation, and maintaining program supplies.
Comfortable leading small group programs such as games, crafts, music, or discussion groups.
Positive attitude with a focus on creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment for 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.

Must possess and maintain a valid American Heart Association BLS / CPR Certification or receive within 1 week of date of hire.

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 within a long-term facility with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT). 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

 

Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here

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
12/14/2025
Job Reference
159504
Organization
Department of Health, State of New Mexico
Location
Truth or Consequences, NM 87901
Category
Physical/Occupational Therapy
Apply Back

Connect with Local, State, and Territorial Health Departments

To find local governmental public health jurisdictions, see - www.naccho.org