Recreational Therapist DOH/NMBHI #12961)

New Mexico Department of Health; Las Vegas (NM); On-site; USD 26,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Behavioral Institute in Las Vegas, NM, seeks a Recreation Activities Specialist to provide therapeutic classes and activities for a diverse patient population. You will promote social skills, health and wellness, and create engaging programs tailored to varied abilities.

The role requires coordinating and documenting progress notes in the AVATAR system, participating in treatment team meetings with Rehabilitation Services, and supporting units across Adult Psychiatric, Forensic, Long

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating and facilitating classes/activities for patients with a mental illness or disorder.
• Ability to multi-task, be a team player and maintain enthusiasm and professionalism.
• Create progress notes detailing patient attendance and participation.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate classes/activities that promote social skills, health and wellness.
• Monitor work program participants and encourage attendance and participation.
• Complete daily progress notes using the AVATAR program.
• Participate in treatment team meetings with Rehabilitation Services staff.

Skills

Experience coordinating activities for

Multi-tasking

Team player / leader

Compassion and patience

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

AVATAR program

Job description

Posting Details

New Mexico Behavioral Institute is a mental health facility that provides mental health care to adolescents, adults and geriatric patients. The Recreation Department offers classes/activities to patients, clients and residents assigned to the Adult Psychiatric, Forensic, Long Term Care and Adolescent Care Units.

Salary

$18.69 - $28.04 Hourly
$38,885 - $58,327 Annually
This position is a Pay Band C3

Posting Details

New Mexico Behavioral Institute is a mental health facility that provides mental health care to adolescents, adults and geriatric patients. The Recreation Department offers classes/activities to patients, clients and residents assigned to the Adult Psychiatric, Forensic, Long Term Care and Adolescent Care Units. This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.

Why does the job exist?

To provide therapeutic and informative activities for the varied skills and ability levels for a diverse population ranging from geriatrics to adolescents. Provide opportunities for patients to acquire, enhance or maintain independent functioning skills, social, health and wellness skills. Provide basic job skills to work program participants. Participate in treatment team meetings and provide valuable insight into patient progress. Provide assistance to various areas of the Rehabilitation Department when required or directed.

How does it get done?

The job gets done by performing tasks such as: Facilitate classes/activities that promote social skill, health and wellness of the body and mind. Provide basic job skills, monitor work program participants and encourage participants to enhance their confidence by completing work assignments. Complete daily progress note using AVATAR program. Participate in treatment team meetings when required. Work with other staff within Rehabilitation Services to provide meaningful and therapeutic activities to patients at NMBHI.

Who are the customers?

Any patient, resident and/or client admitted to NMBHI.

Ideal Candidate

The Ideal Candidate would have: Experience coordinating and facilitating classes/activities for patients who suffer from a mental illness or disorder. Ability to multi-task, possess a team player/team leader attitude, ability to create comprehensive progress notes detailing the positive and negative aspects of a patients attendance/participation in groups and/or activities. Maintain a high level of enthusiasm, be compassionate, understanding, patient, thoughtful. Have the ability to be flexible when facilitating classes/activities, be able to transition teaching points quickly to capture the majority of a groups attention. Be respectful, tactful and professional to everyone at all times. Be innovative and creative and present learning material that is most beneficial to the patients.

Minimum Qualification

High School Diploma or equivalent and one (1) year 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 one (1) year may substitute for the required experience.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid NM Drivers License.
Must obtain a Defensive Driving Certificate.

• SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITIONS--This position ls designated as safely 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 ls subject to nationwide criminal background checks and is conditional pending results.
• CRIMINAL RECORDS BACKGROUND CHECK-Must successfully complete post offer pre-employment criminal records background check. Employment is conditional pending the results of criminal records background checks. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Successful completion of the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA).
  

Working Conditions

This position will perform work in a hospital, office, classroom, gymnasium and outdoor setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive computer and phone usage. Exposure to mentally and behaviorally challenged patients who may exhibit unpredictable and sometimes violent behaviors and/or create volatile situations. NOTE** THIS IS A WEEKEND POSITION. THE SCHEDULE WILL BE TUESDAY through SATURDAY 0800-1630!

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.