Music Therapist - BIRCH Hospital

Music Therapist - BIRCH Hospital

Owensboro, KY 42301

Overview

Position Type: Full Time Job Shift: Day Education Level: Bachelor's degree Travel Percentage: None

Description

Job Summary:

The Music Therapist provides therapeutic services to children and adolescents in the inpatient hospital setting, including those served by the long-term stabilization BIRCH program. Using evidence-based music therapy interventions, the therapist supports patients' emotional regulation, communication, self-expression and social engagement. The Music Therapist collaborates closely with the multidisciplinary treatment team to integrate music therapy into individualized treatment plans and promote trauma-informed, person-centered care.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and implement structured individual and group music therapy sessions based on evidence-based approaches and individualized treatment goals.
• Utilize music-based interventions such as songwriting, active music-making, improvisation, lyric analysis and music-assisted relaxation to:
• Reduce agitation, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
• Improve emotional regulation and social skills.
• Enhance communication, self-esteem and identity formation.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary treatment team to assess patients' needs and document progress toward goals.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings and case consultations, particularly for patients in the BIRCH program.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of music therapy sessions and clinical observations in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Integrate trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices that promote safety, empowerment and resilience.
• Participate in department and hospital-wide training, supervision and quality improvement efforts.
• Provide consultation and in-service education to staff regarding music therapy principles and benefits.
• Contribute to a therapeutic milieu through collaboration with recreational therapy, social services and nursing staff.
• Maintain safe and appropriate use and storage of musical instruments and materials.
• Comply with all hospital policies, CARF standards and HIPAA confidentiality requirements.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Music Therapy from an AMTA-approved program.

• Board Certification as a Music Therapist (MT-BC) through the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) required.

• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCA/LPCC), Clinical Social Worker (CSW/LCSW) or equivalent license preferred but not required.

• Must meet qualifications for behavioral health professionals in accordance with Kentucky Medicaid, CMS and CARF-accredited inpatient psychiatric standards.

• At least one (1) year of music therapy experience in a behavioral health or child/adolescent mental health setting strongly preferred.

• Experience working with youth with high acuity needs, complex trauma, emotional/behavioral disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions (including autism and intellectual disability) preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Proficiency in a variety of musical instruments (e.g., guitar, piano, percussion, voice) and adaptability to group and individual interventions.

• Deep understanding of music therapy's clinical applications within psychiatric treatment settings.

• Ability to build therapeutic rapport with children and adolescents with diverse emotional and cognitive needs.

• Strong documentation, communication and organizational skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary environment.