This position is located at the VA Illiana Health Care System in Danville, IL. Music Therapist provides music therapy treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment services.

Duties

This is a direct patient care position in which the incumbent is responsible for performing the work of a Creative Arts Therapist (Music), which encompasses a variety of different duties and responsibilities. These may include but are not limited to: Administers music therapy assessments and develops relevant music therapy interventions informed by evaluation data, current research and best practices. 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. Develops 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. Develops and implement quality improvement systems as related to internal and external regulatory requirements, including patient safety. 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. Assist in teaching and providing learning experiences for Music Therapy, Creative Arts Therapy, and Recreation Therapy students. Collect, compile, maintain, and/or track statistical records and information for the completion of required reports and in support of service operations. Review, provide input, and make recommendations to the supervisor on supply and equipment acquisition and personnel needs in music therapy. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: Education: 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, 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. 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: Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. If hired under paragraph 3b(5)(b), certification cannot be waived. Exception: Non-registered and/or non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for registration and/or certification, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate recreation or creative arts therapist, under the authority of 38 U.S.C. ? 7405(c)(2)(B), for a period not to exceed two years. Applicants who fail to obtain registration and/or certification during this temporary full-time appointment may be terminated. The exception only applies to positions at the GS-9 level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be registered and/or certified. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS07: Experience/Education- None beyond the basic requirements. GS-9: Experience/Education: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level GS-7 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. Knowledge of the roles and meaning of music in various cultures and subcultures. Knowledge to design, develop, or adapt unique music therapy methods for assessment, treatment, or palliation and evaluation procedures. 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 GS-9. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G60 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: This position involves regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged walking or standing, bending, moderate heavy lifting or moving equipment, positioning severely disabled patients and assisting patients with ambulation. The work requires specific, common physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Accreditation Information: The bachelor's or master's degree in music therapy must be fully accredited by the National Association for Schools of Music and/or the American Music Therapy Association. Verification of accreditation may be made obtained from https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/ or https://www.musictherapy.org/.

Note: If your school was accredited by the National Association for Schools of Music and/or the American Music Therapy Association at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/ or https://www.musictherapy.org/ website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Danville VA Medical Center 1900 East Main Street Danville, IL 61832 US
• Name: Courtney Hambleton
• Phone: 217-516-2654
• Email: [email protected]