Music Therapist - Child Life

Music Therapist - Child Life

Under the general supervision of the Manager of Child Life/Child Development, the Music Therapist interacts with patients and families, assesses their psychosocial needs, and provides them with comprehensive and purposeful music experiences that will elevate their quality of life during healthcare visits. The Music Therapist plans and implements individual and group therapy sessions for children, adolescents, and young adults and their families.

Responsibilities:

• Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
• Facilitates music therapy interventions and activities that are age and developmentally appropriate. Implements music therapy assessment and treatment interventions for pediatric patients and families.
• Facilitates music therapy groups and one-on-one interventions. Builds rapport and trust as part of patients' and families' therapeutic support system.
• Prepares written goals and objectives based on assessment or evaluation results, prognosis, and information obtained from other disciplines.
• Observes/assesses the patient for any unexpected and/or undesirable physical/emotional reactions, suspends treatment, provides appropriate intervention, and then reports them to the physician/nurse as indicated.
• Assesses the patients and families to include development, family stressors, the impact of procedures, diagnosis, and health care visits; identifies basic needs for Music Therapy intervention.
• Assesses the child/family's response to the health care visit and illness. Recognizes changing needs of the patient or family and their response to hospitalization or illness and documents observations and plan of care in the medical chart.
• Evaluates the patient before and throughout the duration of music therapy services.
• Reviews chart for contraindications/precautions for treatment.
• Seek out opportunities to educate other disciplines on Music Therapy services.
• Participate in special events and programming as it pertains to specific areas/populations.
• Supports special music-related events (visiting artists, concerts, workshops, etc.).
• Contribute content (pictures and captions) to the social media team for posting.
• Fosters strong community and donor relationships in support of the Music Therapy Program.
• Educates others on the use of Music Therapy and its role in the therapeutic process to promote healing and enhance coping skills.
• Documents observations of patient and family and patient response to interventions per department policy.
• Plans for, orders, and collects needed materials and equipment to support the therapeutic and educational activities within budgeted guidelines and in consultation with the Child Life Manager. Finds innovative tools/resources to save money without adversely affecting programming. Consistently maintains expense reports and sends reports in on time every month.
• Ensures a safe environment and maintains equipment and supplies in a clean, operable, and safe manner.
• Maintains an accurate account of patient contacts and other related productivity information for the department reports and the Association of Child Life Professionals.
• Serves as a resource to patients, families, and other healthcare team members regarding services available through Music Therapy and the community, such as participating in team meetings, serving on a hospital committee, serving as an advocate for children, and developing educational tools for patients and families.
• Evaluates Child Life Programming in collaboration with the Child Life Manager by participating in 1:1 and monthly staff meetings and quarterly rounding.
• Supervises and guides volunteers and students (except interns) in their Music Therapy learning experiences including lectures, patient assignments, performance evaluation, and references, with direction from the Child Life Manager. Supervision of students requires at least one year of experience as a Music Therapist at this facility.
• Demonstrates competence to perform assigned patient care responsibilities in a manner that meets the population-specific and developmental needs of patients served by the department. Continuously strives to improve own knowledge and skills by attending conferences or workshops, obtaining additional certifications, and participating in research.
• Appropriately adapt assigned patient care assessment, treatment, and/or care methods to accommodate the unique physical, psychosocial, cultural, age-specific, and other developmental needs of each patient served.
• Demonstrates adherence to the CORE values of CHRISTUS Health.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Participates in self-reflective practices to provide clinical supervision, Child Life self-reflective competencies, and professional development.
• Successfully completes annual competencies established for the Job, including age-specific and other special needs of patients and families served by the department.
• Must have knowledge of growth and development and patient/family reactions to hospitalization and coping strategies.
• Must have an understanding of communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must have a working knowledge of educational development.
• Must have an understanding of hospital policies and a system's knowledge of medical terminology and medical procedures.
• Must also be able to problem solve, be creative, take initiative, and work independently.

Job Requirements:

Education/Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy from a university approved by the American Music Therapy Association is required
• Master's degree in a related field is preferred
• Must have completed a Music Therapy internship
• Bilingual- English / Spanish preferred

Experience

• Previous experience working with children is required
• Previous experience in pediatric hospitals is preferred
• 0 – 1 year of paid experience is required
• 1 – 3 years of paid experience is preferred

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

• Must obtain and maintain Board Certification in Music Therapy (MT-BC) within one (1) year of hire
• BLS certification is required

In accordance with the CHRISTUS Health License, Certification and Registration Verification Policy, all Associates are required to obtain the required certifications for their respective positions within the designated time frame.

Work Schedule:

5 Days - 8 Hours

Work Type:

Full Time