Creative Arts Therapist - Level III

Creative Arts Therapist

Elmhurst Hospital Center (EHC) is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens. The hospital is comprised of 545 beds and is a Level I Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station and a 911 Receiving Hospital. It is the premiere health care organization for key areas such as Surgery, Cardiology, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Renal and Mental Health Services. At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Sun -Thurs, 9am-5pm, 2 evenings 11am-7pm 35 hours

Purpose of Position: This class of positions encompasses professional and/or supervisory work of varying degrees of difficulty in the operation of a creative arts therapy department providing therapeutic services through the utilization of various modalities, principles and techniques specific to the creative arts therapy discipline. All personnel perform related work. Under general supervision, with very broad latitude for independent judgment and decision making, performs highly difficult and responsible professional and supervisory work in the creative arts therapy discipline.

Examples of Typical Tasks: At a higher level, performs the duties of Assignment Level I: Establishes and implements comprehensive therapeutic group/individual therapy programs utilizing principles and practices of creative arts therapy. Conducts individual assessments of patient's strengths and weaknesses to evaluate social, cognitive, psychological and physical functioning through the creative arts process. Develops treatment goals and objectives based on initial and ongoing assessments designed to improve functioning through the utilization of the techniques unique to the creative arts therapy discipline. Implements therapeutic interventions utilizing art, music, drama, dance or poetry as a modality to facilitate the patient's attainment of goals articulated in the patient treatment plans. Participates as an active member of the interdisciplinary treatment team by attending meetings and contributing to the formulation of individual patient comprehensive treatment plans. Writes regular progress notes on patient's behavior and responses to treatment goals. Prepares and maintains records, progress reports, statistical information and participates in departmental and facility-wide quality assurance/performance improvement (QA/PI) activities. Prepares supply requisitions and maintains inventories of equipment and supplies as designated. May be assigned to coordinate and supervise the activities of auxiliary staff in related therapeutic disciplines. May be assigned to instruct and supervise volunteers, interns and students in the areas of creative arts therapy. Performs other related duties as assigned.

At a higher level, also performs the duties of Assignment Level II: Serves as a professional resource to Creative Arts Therapists in the development and implementation of specialized treatment interventions utilizing non-verbal, diagnostic and expressive techniques. Provides consultation for complex cases in the evaluation of social, cognitive, psychological and physical functioning through the creative arts therapy process. Monitors, documents and evaluates the attainment of creative arts therapy goals as part of the therapeutic process. May represent the department at conferences, workshops, hospital or community functions; reports actions and findings to department. May develop and conduct departmental training programs to introduce new developments and techniques within the creative arts therapy discipline. May be assigned to function as a primary therapist, as long as practicing within the boundaries of professional competency, as specified in the New York State Education Law, Article 163, Section 8407. Performs other duties as assigned.

In addition to performing the duties of Assignment Levels I and II at a higher level, as described above, also performs the following typical tasks: Coordinates and implements therapeutic programs that utilize advanced creative arts techniques and principles for an assigned area of a health care facility. Monitors and guides Creative Arts Therapists in the establishment and provision of these programs. Provides clinical supervision for Creative Arts Therapists practicing under a Limited Permit as required by the New York State Education Law, Article 163. Reviews the quality and quantity of the clinical case records of Creative Arts Therapists for accuracy and completeness. Provides direct creative arts therapy services, including facilitating groups and documentation of same in patient medical records. May fill in for the Director of Program during absences and vacations. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: Assignment Level I: A valid License or Limited Permit issued by the New York State Education Department to practice as a Creative Arts Therapist. Employees working with a Limited Permit must obtain Licensure within two years from their date of appointment. Assignment Level II: A valid License issued by the New York State Education Department to practice as a Creative Arts Therapist; and Two years of full-time, paid, professional experience in creative arts therapy. Assignment Level III: In addition to meeting the requirements for Assignment Levels II, Assignment Level III requires: One additional year of experience.

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes: Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week Retirement Savings and Pension Plans Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities College Savings Program Union Benefits for eligible titles Multiple employee discounts programs Commuter Benefits Programs