Senior Recreational Therapist (DOH/NMVH #15606)

New Mexico Department of Health; Truth or Consequences (NM); On-site; USD 31,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The New Mexico Department of Health seeks a Senior Recreational Therapist to plan and oversee activities at Veterans Homes and Nursing Homes in Truth or Consequences, NM. You will lead groups, manage schedules, and collaborate with staff to promote physical, cognitive, and social engagement.

Qualifications include a high school diploma and two years of related experience; additional certifications (CPR/BLS) are preferred. This role requires strong communication and safety-conscious leadership.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent and two years' related experience.
• Any combination of education and/or direct experience totaling two years may substitute for the required experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain calendars of activities and effectively communicate them to participants.
• Coordinate and communicate with staff members; oversee group activities.
• Arrange travel to off-site activities and ensure safety protocols are followed.
• Submit budgetary recommendations for equipment and supplies.

Skills

Leadership

Public speaking

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Conflict management

Planning

Budgeting

First aid

CPR

Staff scheduling

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.

Salary

$22.62 - $33.93 Hourly

$47,050 - $70,575 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C5

POSITION IS LOCATED IN TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM

Why does the job exist?

The Senior Recreational Therapist assists with planning and overseeing recreational activities such as sports, arts, and crafts at facilities like Veterans Homes and Nursing Homes, recreation centers, parks, and camps. An Senior Recreational Therapist assists with planning and overseeing 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 Senior Recreational Therapist 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 within 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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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.