Creative Arts Therapist (Music)

Provides Music Therapy services to Veterans within a variety of clinical areas - both inpatient and outpatient treatment settings. The primary purpose of the work is to restore, maintain and improve the mental, physical, emotional, psycho-social and functional capacity of patients; decrease pain; acquire the skills to improve daily living skills and facilitate the accomplishment of the departmental goals in support of the mission of the Phoenix VA Health Care System.

Qualifications:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.
• Education. The following education requirements apply to the creative arts therapist (music):

Creative Arts Therapist (Music)

(a) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, in music therapy, or in music with an emphasis in music therapy. The degree must be approved by the National Association for Schools of Music and/or the American Music Therapy Association.
OR,
(b) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). If hired under this education, the certification cannot be waived.

(c) Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. The private organization must deem such education at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.

Certification
Required Certification
Creative Arts Therapy (Music). Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. If hired under paragraph 3b(5)(b), certification cannot be waived.

Preferred Experience/Qualifications: 3 plus years experience as a music therapist, prefer experience in long term care and mental health settings.

Grade Determinations:
Creative Arts Therapist (Music)

GS-07 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-09 Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level or a master's degree in creative arts therapy (music) may be substituted for the required one year of professional creative arts therapist (music) experience.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Ability to perform a varied repertoire of popular, folk, and traditional songs appropriate for use in a clinical setting using at least two of the following: keyboard, voice, guitar, percussion or other musical instruments suitable to a clinical setting.
2. Knowledge of the roles and meaning of music in various cultures and subcultures.
3. Knowledge to design, develop, or adapt unique music therapy methods for assessment, treatment, or palliation and evaluation procedures.
4. Skill to apply objectivity and insight to respond constructively to both positive and negative reactions while maintaining a safe environment for the patient and therapist.

GS-11 Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of the roles and meaning of music in various cultures and subcultures, how culture influences identity formation, concepts of health and pathology, and understanding of the role of music therapy and how music therapy is practiced.
2. Knowledge of current methods of music therapy assessment, treatment, and evaluation related to human growth and development, musical development, diagnostic classifications, etiology, symptomatology, and prognosis in formulating complex treatment plans, including the contraindications of music therapy for individuals and groups.
3. Ability to design, develop, or adapt unique music therapy methods for assessment, treatment or palliation, and evaluation procedures for complex clinical cases, through a broad range of specialized music therapy services for various and emerging patient populations.
4. Ability to use music therapy interventions to provide opportunities to work through treatment issues, including emotional disturbances, by establishing a safe environment for the patient to understand the symbolic expression of their musical product, process, and experience as it relates to recovery and wellness.
5. Ability to apply effective use of professional skill, objectivity, and insight to respond constructively to both positive and negative reactions, establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship with professional boundaries to reflect trusting, empathetic, and respectful interactions.
6. Ability to apply current research literature and co-facilitate treatment with professionals from other disciplines, the uses of the creative arts therapies and recreation therapy, as well as understanding emerging models and trends in music therapy.

Assignment. Employees at this level serve as creative arts therapists (music) at the full performance level. They have a full understanding of music therapy processes and procedures, and require only general supervision when providing direct patient care. They exercise independent judgment, administer and interpret music therapy assessments, and utilize clinical knowledge to develop unconventional assessment and interview approaches to effectively elicit information. They review pre-evaluation data in the medical record upon admission or through consult. They conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data across functional domains (i.e., behavioral, cognitive, communicative, emotional/affective, physical, sensory, and social) as well as musical knowledge, skills, and abilities. They plan, organize, and implement developmentally and situationally appropriate and evidence-based comprehensive music therapy interventions for persons diagnosed with chronic or life-threatening conditions, as well as their families, and in collaboration with an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary team. These may include, but are not limited to: music listening, singing, playing, creating and improvising to understand musical behaviors as a means of self-expression, communication, and adaptive behavior; for neurological or physical rehabilitation; pain management; increased independence; exploring self-concept; improved coping skills; interpersonal relationships and social skills; and group cohesion. They recommend and develop new treatment groups and programs (including co-treatment opportunities) for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues including, but not limited to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) to promote a variety of clinical outcomes, such as improved coping with grief, loss, or palliative care/terminal illness; behavior management, conflict resolution, or non-verbal communication of difficult subject matter. They participate in co-treatment opportunities including neurological rehabilitation, mental health recovery programs, and palliative care, often related to the symptoms of a terminal illness. They plan, organize, implement, and evaluate public relations for the program to inform and educate others about music therapy, in various settings, including the complex interactions of the therapeutic process, as well as the efficacy of music therapy in complex cases.

References: VA Handbook 5005/111, Part II, Appendix G60- Creative Arts and Recreation Therapist Qualification Standard.

Physical Requirements: VA Handbook 5019/1, Part II, Pre-Placement Physical Examination and Evaluation.

Driving Requirement. All positions involving Federal motor vehicle operation carry the additional medical requirements specified in 5 CFR 930 and the "General Policies and Instructions" section of this Manual.

Responsibilities:

Major duties include but not limited to the following:

• Conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure).
• Responsible for developing competencies in assessments, treatment plans, therapeutic interventions, clinical evaluations, documentation, and ethical practices related to their specific discipline.
• Responsible for understanding the necessity for interdisciplinary treatment, the need to accept and appropriately respond to supervision, analyzing, revising clinical practice, and incorporating the four-step process of: assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services delivered.
• Constructs appropriate and evidence-based Creative Arts Therapy - Music interventions for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues throughout the entire facility including but not limited to: Polytrauma (TBI); Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Substance Use Disorder/Addictions; Serious Mental Illness; and Hospice/Palliative Care.
• Reviews consults and conducts comprehensive evaluations.
• Based upon the assessment data and in collaboration with other stakeholders, the therapist develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration and treatment.
• Recommends adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet the assessed needs and preferences to engage in music therapy services.
• Using activity/task analysis, behavioral interventions, and therapeutic procedures, they design individualized treatment interventions to reduce stress, anxiety and maladaptive behaviors, recover basic motor functioning, reasoning abilities, build confidence, and develop compensatory strategies to master critical life skills necessary to re-enter the community in a productive manner.
• Sophisticated techniques/strategies used to improve or support clinical outcomes may include but are not limited to: develop positive patterns of behavior; relaxation and stress reduction; lifestyle alteration; social skills training; develop self-esteem; reinforce positive relationships; motor learning and training strategies; anger and pain management; identify risks; recovery support; lifestyle adjustment; conflict/problem resolution; adjustment to disability, including coping with grief and loss.
• Evaluates patient needs for additional, alternative, or termination of services and monitor effectiveness of intervention plans making modifications as needed.
• Determines effectiveness of protocols, modalities, and programs for targeted groups through quantitative analysis and identifies potential risks and need for adaptive interventions to facilitate improved bio-psychosocial well-being.
• Participates in co-treatment opportunities including but not limited to: neurological rehabilitation; mental health recovery programs; and palliative care related to the symptoms of a terminal illness.
• Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment interventions to address the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of unconventional methods and techniques.
• Knowledge to independently interpret provider referrals and consults; and apply all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
• Skill in effectively communicating and educating, in a clear and concise manner, with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the interdisciplinary treatment process.
• Skill in independently utilizing appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide direct patient care in areas such as, but not limited to recommendations for Creative Arts Therapy - Music assistive devices.
• Serves as Music Therapy subject matter expert and representative on interdisciplinary teams and provides education to staff, students, patients, families and caregivers about the benefits of music therapy and treatment interventions and goals.
• Develop therapeutic relationships with professional boundaries and establish a safe environment for the patient to understand the symbolic expression of their musical product, process and experience.
• Knowledge of the roles and meaning of music in various cultures and works effectively with diverse populations developing music therapy programs and interventions.
• Understanding of music therapy and its effects on human growth and development, musical development, diagnostic classifications, and symptomatology when developing music therapy interventions.

Work Schedule: Sunday 7:00am - 3:30pm flex; Monday-Thursday 8:30am to 6:00pm
Telework: May be available with supervisory approval.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Salary : $72,037 - $93,645