Music Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

34.3773 per hour

The Meaning Life Department on the Manhattan campus is seeking a full time Music Therapist on temporary basis to join our team! The assignment will be starting on July 2026.

Job Summary: Under the supervision of the Director of Client Experience and Meaningful Life, the Music Specialist conducts individual resident/patient assessments to identify interests and needs, maintains clinical and other records within departmental policies and practices, as well as DOH/CMS standards, and participates in care planning and meetings for an assigned group of residents/patients. The Music Specialist develops, plans, coordinates, conducts, and evaluates a variety of therapeutic recreation and music programs, leisure activities, individual interventions, and collaboratively develops and conducts facility-wide events, to promote optimal physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual well-being of residents/patients, based on resident/patient needs and preferences.

Reports To: Director of Client Experience and Meaningful Life

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducts individual assessments, reassessments and monitoring to determine resident/patient recreational needs and interests.
• Completes all clinical documentation for assigned group of residents on a timely basis, within departmental and facility policies and practices, and to DOH/CMS standards, including assessments, progress notes, care plans, and any other documentation as may be appropriate/required.
• Works with care plan team to develop and implement the plan of care. Attends and participates in interdisciplinary care plan meetings.
• Develops, plans, coordinates, produces, and distributes a monthly calendar/schedule of therapeutic recreation programs, music programs, and leisure activities based on resident needs and preferences for assigned population.
• Conducts planned recreational and music programs according to schedule.
• Conducts unscheduled leisure activities that may be beneficial to the population served.
• Conducts recreational programs in other areas of the Home as may be needed or as may be desirable as a means of sharing specialized skills in music (e.g., Drumming Circle, Glee Club).
• Works collaboratively with other staff to coordinate, participate in, or lead facility wide events.
• Develops and implements individual activities for those residents who need, or who prefer, one-to-one recreational/ music activity.
• Provides adaptive interventions as needed to enable residents to maximize participation.
• Works with unit teams, coordinates and facilitates escort/transportation for residents to attend events.
• Plans and accompanies residents on recreational outings.
• Provides education and assistance to residents for voter registration and absentee ballots.
• Guides, directs, provides information to, and provides oversight to Therapeutic Recreation Aides, Therapeutic Recreation student interns, volunteers, and others; provides feedback to department director.
• Provides clinical guidance, mentoring and education for other staff members regarding conducting activities and leisure opportunities.
• Encourages and motivates residents to participate in recreational pursuits and assists in escorting/transporting residents to such activities.
• Coordinates postings on the activity bulletin board and other displays in a timely manner, including posting planned activities on a monthly or other scheduled basis as determined by the needs of the residents/patients. Keeps boards/displays current. Designs and publicizes communications, signs, and invitations.
• Conducts Activity Planning Meetings with residents, as appropriate. Follows up and evaluates residents’ requests for potential inclusion in future programming.
• Prepares supplies for recreation and music programs.
• Monitors supply inventory and submits orders to Director for materials, supplies and resources for resident activities and makes resources available to other staff.
• Oversees decoration supplies and the display of seasonal decorations.
• Sustains an effective working knowledge of each resident and staff of the community.
• Develops and maintains positive relationship/communication with residents and their families and friends, as well as staff and volunteers.
• Maintains required records in an accurate and timely fashion. Ensures completion of attendance log.
• Attends departmental meetings, team meetings, staff development classes, other meetings as may be needed.
• Completes mandatory in-services.
• Works a flexible schedule to facilitate the therapeutic recreation operations of the facility.
• Complies with The New Jewish Home’s departmental and facility policies and procedures.
• Provides therapeutic recreation services in compliance with federal and state guidelines.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Specialized Skills and Competencies:

Assessment / Planning:
• Must possess the ability to assess residents through interview techniques and behavioral observation.
• Must be able to monitor and reassess residents’ functional ability and respond appropriately.
• Must possess the ability to plan/conduct age-appropriate and person-appropriate recreation programs, music programs, and other leisure activities/interventions that satisfy cognitive, physical, social, and emotional needs of the residents and guide residents to spiritual activities that meet their needs.
• Must possess ability to assess leisure barriers and plan interventions.

Knowledge:
• Must have a working knowledge of regulations, practices, procedures and guidelines pertaining to long-term care, therapeutic recreation and if appropriate, in field of specialization.
Leadership:
• Must possess the ability to plan, coordinate, organize, develop, conduct, and evaluate recreational and music programs necessary for providing quality care.
• Must be able to guide, mentor, teach and provide oversight to volunteers, Therapeutic Recreation Aides and Therapeutic Recreation Student Interns.
• Must be able to provide clinical guidance, mentoring and education for other staff members regarding conducting activities and leisure opportunities.

Flexibility:
• Must be able to respond to the needs of the assigned unit(s) or areas, and the facility.
Age Related Skills and Competencies:
• Ability to relate to adult and geriatric populations in a manner that respects their needs and capabilities.

Job Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in recreation, therapeutic recreation, or specialized field such as music therapy highly preferred
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with the geriatric population or completed internship in a geriatric setting and/or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (music) and/ or Certified Music Therapist strongly preferred.

Physical Demands:
• Ability to sit for long periods of time, stand, walk, bend, hear and speak.
• Ability to transport a person in a wheelchair.
• Ability to push/pull and lift/carry items up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising resident/client care.