The Lead Creative Arts Therapist for the VA Maryland Health Care System is aligned under Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services, a level 1B high complexity facility. The position involves professional work requiring application of knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of Music Therapy, and the use of musical modalities to treat the physical, mental, emotional and social needs of individual patients, groups of patients, etc.

Duties

Duties may include but limited to: Conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure). Incorporating the four-step process of: assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services delivered, the therapist constructs appropriate and evidence-based music therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues such as Polytrauma (TBI); Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Substance Use Disorder/Addictions; Serious Mental Illness as well as other Cognitive (Dementia) and Neurological Disorders. Provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members as needed. Review music therapy consults and conduct 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. Perform leadership duties aimed at improvement of music therapy practice within VAMHCS. This may include review of notes/consults, facilitating continuing education and mentorship, regular staff development meetings and trainings, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate comprehensive community-based/transitional programming and partnership opportunities, and ongoing internal program support/consultation with a focus on improvement and innovation. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 08:00a - 4:30p Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist, creative arts therapist (art), creative arts therapist (dance/movement), creative arts therapist (drama), and creative arts therapist (music): A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major in art therapy approved by the American Art Therapy Association on or before June 30, 2016. If the degree is received after June 30, 2016, a master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, with a major in art therapy, must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Art Therapy Education: a committee of the Commission on Accreditation on Allied Health Education Program. OR A master's degree in a related field, plus graduate coursework and supervised field experience in art therapy. Acceptable related fields include: Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, Psychology, Addictions Counseling, Psychiatric Nursing, and Psychiatry, AND must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration as a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) approved by the Art Therapy Credentials Board. If hired under this education, the registration cannot be waived. Registration: Creative Arts Therapy (Art). Must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration with the ATR. If hired under paragraph 3b(2)(b), registration cannot be waived. Creative Arts Therapy (Drama). Must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration as an RDT. If hired under paragraph 3b(4)(b), registration cannot be waived. Certification: Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 3b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived. Creative Arts Therapy (Dance/Movement). Applicants must be board-certified in dance/movement therapy by the DMTCB. If hired under paragraph 3b(3)(b), certification cannot be waived. 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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: Lead Creative Arts Therapist, GS-12 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: Knowledge of creative arts therapy across multiple types of clinical practice. Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff therapists and guidance to auxiliary staff, volunteers, and trainees. Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work and make adjustments to accomplish the workload, in accordance with established procedures. Ability to facilitate in program development, outcome management, and strategic planning. Ability to act as a liaison between staff, volunteers or trainees, and immediate supervisor to resolve informal complaints and concerns. Knowledge of clinical procedures and policies to provide oversight and training for auxiliary staff, volunteers, and trainees. Skill in coordinating clinical activities within the workgroup. Skill in leading and directing staff to implement evidence-based recreation therapy and/or creative arts therapy approaches to patients with varied treatment needs and skill level. References: VA Handbook 5005/111, Part II, Appendix G60 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 VA Maryland Health Care System 10 North Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21201 US
• Name: Courtnie Wilson
• Phone: (410) 605-7000
• Email: [email protected]