Unique clinical Music Therapist position functioning in Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) program section of Patient Care Services Division. Direct patient care which the incumbent is responsible for performing work of a creative arts therapist of music, encompassing a variety of different duties/responsibilities. Collaborates with HBPC & MFH program staff, guides & directs patient treatment to assist the Veteran obtain optimal levels of functioning while maintaining independence in the community.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Administering and interpreting music therapy assessments and utilizing clinical knowledge to develop unconventional assessment and interview approaches to effectively elicit information Reviewing pre-evaluation data in the medical record upon admission or through consulting conduct, analyze, interpret and report assessment data across functional domains (i.e., behavioral, cognitive, communicative, emotional/affective, physical, sensory, social, and musical) Planning, organizing and implementing 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 Recommending and developing new treatment groups and programs (including co-treatment opportunities) for treating patients with complex medical, behavioral or mental health issues such as but not limited to dementia, parkinson, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) to develop or promote a variety of clinical outcomes such as improved coping with grief, loss, palliative care/terminal illness, behavior management, conflict resolution, self-expression or non-verbal communication of difficult subject matter Participating in other difficult work in co-treatment opportunities including neurological rehabilitation, physical rehabilitation, mental health recovery programs, and palliative care related to the symptoms of a terminal illness Working closely with other treatment team members and community health care professionals to support the patient's medical treatment plan Providing direct 1:1 treatment and services that require the exercise of mature professional judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical skills Carrying full professional responsibility for cases presenting a wide range of psychosocial and medical issues with no limitations (within his/her scope of clinical privileges) as to the range of service to be performed Providing information and referral services to various community services, as appropriate Investigating community resources and making information about them available to other team-members.participating in program planning and the development of working relationships with community agencies and resources Maintaining accurate statistics and reports, as required, within specified deadlines Submitting data on patient contacts promptly and accurately to program office for monthly statistic All statistical and administrative reports will be completed according to policy Knowledge of Professional CARF and JCAHO standards, where applicable, are the responsibility of the incumbent May participate in research, education, evaluations, and studies May supervise Music Therapy, students, interns, and trainees Work Schedule: Fulltime, Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit position

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 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: Required Certification Creative Arts Therapy (Music). Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. If hired under second option above under Education, 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)(8), 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. Failure to Obtain Registration/Certification: In all cases, recreation and creative arts therapists must actively pursue meeting registration and/or certification requirements, starting from the date of appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unregistered and/or uncertified recreation or creative arts therapist with the written requirement to obtain registration/certification, the date by which the registration and/or certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming registered and/or certified by the deadline. Failure to become registered and/or certified within two years from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0638 recreation and creative arts therapist occupation, and may result in termination of employment. Loss of Credential: A recreation or creative arts therapist who fails to maintain the required registration and/or certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 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: GS-07 Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements GS-09 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. Demonstrated 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. 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: 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. Preferred Experience: Minimum of two years experience in field of expertise Home care experience Experience with geriatric, chronically ill, high risk and/or Veteran population Experience with a Creative Arts Program to include development and implementation of policy and procedure References: VA Handbook 5005/111 Part II Appendix G60 Recreation and Creative Arts Therapist Qualification Standard GS-0638 Veterans Health Administration June 7, 2019. 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-07 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Accreditation Information: 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.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was accredited at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address El Paso VA Clinic 5001 North Piedras Street El Paso, TX 79930 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]