Recreational Therapist(DOH/NMBHI #12977)

Pay

Salary $18.69 – $28.04 hourly ($38,885 – $58,327 annually). Pay Band C3.

About the role

New Mexico Behavioral Institute is a mental health facility that provides care to adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients. The Psychosocial Rehabilitation section offers classes and activities to patients, clients, and residents in the Adult Psychiatric, Forensic, Long‑Term Care, and Adolescent Care Units. This position provides therapeutic and informative classes/activities for a diverse population ranging from geriatrics to adolescents, helping patients acquire, enhance, or maintain independent functioning, social, health, and wellness skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic and informative classes/activities for varied skill levels across geriatrics to adolescents.
• Offer opportunities for patients to acquire, enhance, or maintain independent functioning, social, health, and wellness skills.
• Actively participate in treatment team meetings and provide valuable insight into patient progress.
• Assist various areas of the Rehabilitation Department when required or directed.

Ideal Candidate

• Experience coordinating and facilitating classes/activities for patients with mental illness or disorder.
• Ability to multi‑task, with a team‑player/team‑leader attitude, and create comprehensive progress notes detailing attendance and participation.
• Maintain a high level of enthusiasm; be compassionate, understanding, patient, and thoughtful.
• Flexibility in facilitating classes/activities and ability to transition teaching points quickly to capture group attention.
• Respectful, tactful, and professional demeanor at all times.
• Innovative and creative in presenting learning material that benefits patients.

Minimum Qualification

High School Diploma or equivalent and one (1) year of experience related to the essential duties. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience totaling one (1) year may substitute for the required experience.

Employment Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid NM driver’s license.
• Must obtain a Defensive Driving Certificate.
• Safety‑sensitive position: subject to pre‑employment and random drug/alcohol testing, nationwide criminal background checks, and HIPAA compliance.

Working Conditions

The role involves work in a hospital, office, classroom, gymnasium, and outdoor settings with extensive use of visual display terminals, computers, and phones. Exposure to mentally and behaviorally challenged patients who may exhibit unpredictable or violent behaviors.

Schedule

Weekend position: Tuesday through Saturday, 08:00 – 16:30.