The Creative Arts Therapist (Music) for the VA Montana Healthcare System (VAMTHCS) is located within the Whole Health/CIH section of Primary Care Services. This is a direct patient care position in which the incumbent is responsible for performing the work of a creative arts therapist of music, which encompasses a variety of different duties and responsibilities.

Duties

Emotion regulation; resolve traumatic memories; active meditation and build empathy and a sense of self worth. Identifies potential risks and need for adaptive interventions with cases to facilitate improved well-being. Develop music therapy programs, interventions and directives including materials selection that are appropriate to the needs, skills and aptitudes of the patient to achieve therapeutic goals through engagement in the creative process. Supports engagement in and reflection of the music process and product through a music therapy framework to develop specific skills attained through music that may include increased independence, focus to task, sense of self-worth, coping skills, self-care and social skills. The incumbent gathers informal music-based assessment of patients' needs, aptitudes, interests and abilities; develop and implement an individualized music therapy treatment plan to include the scope, duration and frequency of treatment. Identifies current community resources for discharge planning purposes. Develops and implements quality improvement systems as it relates internal and external regulatory requirements to include patient safety. Uses diagnostic coding and symptoms of diagnoses in the provision of music therapy. Applies the creative process and the effect on the patients' cognitive, sensory, emotional, a physical states. Demonstrate and educate on the value of the creative process as a therapeutic tool. Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with professional boundaries that rifle a trusting, empathetic and respectful interaction. Collaborates and maintains liaison with interdisciplinary team and educating treatment team on theoretical framework of music therapy interventions through in-service trainings and communicating specific examples of patients' progress and behavior based on participation in music therapy programs. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Telework 3 + Days Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53872-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States (U.S.). (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)). Education: The following education requirements apply to creative arts therapist (music): 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: 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. 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-7 and 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: Creative Arts Therapist (Music), GS-7 Experience/Education: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment: Employees at this level serve in an entry level position as a creative arts therapist (music). They work under the supervision of a recreation or creative arts therapist at or above the full-performance level or a designated supervisor in a clinical environment. Employees have knowledge of their respective discipline and work with guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff. Established treatment procedures are substantially adapted and applied for patients who are acutely ill. Employees at this level would not be assigned work at a CBOC unless supervision is on site. Creative Arts Therapist (Music), GS-9 Experience/Education: 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. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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. Creative Arts Therapist (Music), GS-11 Experience: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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: Title 38 or Hybrid Title 38 Occupation official qualification standards of the position as stated in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G60.The full performance level of this vacancy is 11.The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 07 to GS 11. Physical Requirements: Per VA handbook 5003/4, Functional Statements are to be reviewed, signed and dates as least every two years for accuracy of the duties and responsibilities, or as often as needed due to changing responsibilities. Functional Statements are required to be retained for two years. One copy should be given to the employee, one copy should be kept on file at the service level, and one copy should be kept on file by the servicing human resources office.

Education

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

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 Fort Harrison VA Medical Center 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: Kelli Ann Crumpton
• Phone: 720-369-1396
• Email: [email protected]