Creative Arts Therapist (Art)

Creative Arts Therapist

This is a direct patient care position responsible for performing the work of a creative arts therapist, including assessment, planning, implementation, and treatment that is appropriate to the needs, skills and aptitudes of the patient to achieve therapeutic goals through engagement in the creative process. Supports reflection of the art process and product through an art therapy framework to develop specific skills attained through art making that may include increased independence, focus to task, sense of self-worth, coping skills, self-care and social skills. Provides a safe environment for patients to understand the symbolic expression of their art product, process, and their experience with the materials as it relates to their recovery and wellness to patients in Spinal Cord Injury. Duties include but are not limited to:

1. Evaluates patients with formal and informal assessments, develops individualized art therapy treatment plans and interventions with knowledge of symptoms of diagnoses in the provision of art therapy based on current literature and best practices.
2. The incumbent gathers informal art-based assessment of SCI/D patients' needs, aptitudes, interests and abilities; develops and implements an individualized art therapy treatment plan to include the scope, duration and frequency of treatment. Stage of life is considered and used to modify evaluation and treatment based on the needs of the individual. Assessment of the patient's learning needs is performed and patient education is tailored to meet those needs for the patient, his family and significant others throughout the treatment process.
3. Identifies potential risks, modifies treatment plans as needed, and develops adaptive interventions to facilitate a safe therapeutic environment.
4. Uses diagnostic coding and symptoms of diagnoses in the provision of art therapy.
5. Applies the creative process and art media and their effect on the patients' cognitive, sensory, emotional, and physical states.
6. Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with professional boundaries that reflects a trusting, empathetic and respectful interaction.
7. Evaluates patients with SCI/D regarding history, interests, aptitudes and skills through interview, inventories, tests and measurements to determine individual and specialized needs
8. Uses advanced knowledge of contemporary art therapy theory and techniques across multiples areas of practice to evaluate, determine goals, implement a program, recommend adaptive equipment, and plan discharge for patients within the specialized area.
9. Communicates with team members regarding changes in patient status, development of treatment programs, and discharge plans. Develops and carries out advanced art therapy treatment to meet individual SCI/D rehabilitation objectives which may include: therapeutic arts intervention; teaching adaptive or compensatory techniques; utilizing clinical reasoning to determine best-practice strategies in light of cognitive, emotional or social issues in the veteran's life. This list of advanced skills relates specifically to the SCI /D population. These treatment interventions are conducted both one on one with individuals and in group settings
10. Demonstrates the ability to make many decisions regarding custom adaptation of established treatment procedures and equipment for the person with SCI/D to ensure successful outcomes of simple complex and unique cases.
11. Provides input to the Director and the Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders Services for the development and/or revision of creative arts department policy and procedures as requested. Demonstrates skills in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current creative art therapy theory, recent research and practice.
12. Develops and completes documentation of patient care including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, and other reports with concise and clear clinical information. Documentation must comply with all required timeframe standards.
13. Incumbent is responsible for over-seeing the day-to-day operation of the SCI/D Creative Art Therapy clinic areas to which assigned.
14. Serves as a subject matter expert in Creative Arts Therapy for the SCI/D department. Makes recommendations for purchase of capital equipment requests related to creative arts supplies and equipment.
15. Supervises Creative Art Therapy students; performs regular evaluations of skills, clinical instruction, and mentorship.
16. Maintains professional competence and certification/licensure/registration through participation in relevant continuing education.

Preferred Experience: Neurologic rehabilitation experience preferred.

Work Schedule: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm (subject to change based on the needs of the facility)

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized