Recreational Therapy Aide ( DOH/NMVH #34297 )

New Mexico Department of Health; Truth or Consequences (NM); On-site; USD 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Department of Health seeks a Recreational Therapist Aide to assist in delivering recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries or illnesses. This role is at the NM Veterans' Home in Truth or Consequences, NM.

You will assist with meaningful therapeutic activities, transport residents, prepare supplies, and supervise groups to promote well-being. High School Diploma required; safety-sensitive position with background checks.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 onsite, on facility grounds, or in the community.
• Prepares, sanitizes, distributes, and retrieves supplies and equipment used during recreational programs.
• Monitors residents during activities to ensure safety, engagement, and dignity.
• Leads or co-leads small group programs and supports events and celebrations.
• Maintains attendance records, equipment inventories, and program documentation.
• Ensures confidentiality and observes HIPAA training requirements.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Enthusiastic and motivated

Team-oriented

Creative and resourceful

Flexible and adaptable

Organized and detail-oriented

Comfortable leading small groups

Positive and welcoming demeanor

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

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.

• APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME, REUME MUST INCLUDE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB (MONTH & YEAR) AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE / JOB DUTIES.

Salary

$15.45 - $23.18 Hourly

$32,136 - $48,204 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.

• APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME, REUME MUST INCLUDE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB (MONTH & YEAR) AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE / JOB DUTIES.

POSITION IS LOCATED IN TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM

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.

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 an office 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

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.