Music Specialist

Music Specialist

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.

Salary Range: 34.3773 per hour

The New Jewish Home (TNJH) provides a salary range in compliance with New York City's Salary Transparency in Job Advertisements Law. The salary range provided reflects a good-faith estimate of potential base compensation for this position at the time of posting and does not include additional forms of compensation, such as bonuses, incentive pay, differential pay, or other benefits. It may be adjusted in the future. Actual salaries depend on several factors, including location, specialty, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, negotiated contracts, budget considerations, internal equity, and the specific needs of the organization.

EEO/AA Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. EEO/AA/M/F/Disabled/Vets