The New Jersey VA Healthcare system, Lyons Campus is currently recruiting for 1 Creative Arts Therapist- Music for their Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department. The Music Therapist provides music therapy treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment services.

Duties

The incumbent is responsible for direct patient care; developing, organizing and administering music therapy programs/therapeutic interventions to patients on the various programs/units/neighborhoods at the VA NJHCS: Community Living Centers, palliative care, sub-acute, inpatient rehabilitation (CIIRP, EM&R), dementia special care unit, Geri-psychiatry, Medical Foster Home, Acute psychiatry, Women's Treatment, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) programs, CORE residential, residential homeless program-Domiciliary, residential substance abuse program, Seriously Mentally ill unit, Psycho-social Rehabilitation Recovery Centers (PRRC), inpatient and outpatient Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Visually impaired program, Fitness and Wellness Clinics, Telehealth, Whole Health, outpatient mental health, and Polytrauma System of care, on campus and in the community. FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE. Clinical Administers music therapy assessments and develops relevant music therapy interventions informed by evaluation data, current research and best practices. Collaborate in co-treatment of complex clinical cases and demonstrates an ability to design, develop, or adapt unique music therapy methods as needed. Completes clinical documentation of patient care including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, and other reports as needed. 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, treatment interventions and goals. Develops therapeutic relationships with professional boundaries and establishes a safe environment for the patient to understand the symbolic expression of their musical product, process and experience. Works effectively with diverse populations developing music therapy programs and interventions; understanding the roles and meaning of music in various cultures. Understands music therapy and its effects on human growth and development, musical development, diagnostic classifications, and symptomatology when developing music therapy interventions. Plans, coordinates and directs specialized programs, such as creative arts festivals and performances, as assigned. Administration. Adheres with Medical Center policies. Utilizes Automated Data Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures. Adheres to Medical Center ADP Security policy. Develops and implements quality improvement systems as related to internal and external regulatory requirements, including patient safety. Collaborates and maintains effective communication with all patients, caregivers, interdisciplinary teams, medical center staff and community partners. Participates in the evaluation, management, and safe storage of equipment and supplies, which affect their service delivery. Fosters and maintains a safe treatment area. Attends scheduled departmental meetings, meetings effecting patient care, and committee meetings as assigned. Performs other related duties as assigned. Education Maintains professional competence and certification through participation in continuing education. Assists in teaching and providing learning experiences for Music Therapy clinical interns/trainees as required. Participates in staff orientation, successfully completes Medical Center assigned mandatory trainings, and in-service activities. Delivers treatment in compliance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) accrediting agencies and VHA directives. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS. The Music Therapist will report to the Supervisory, Recreation Therapist/Section Chief, Recreation Therapy. At this level the Music Therapist is an autonomous practitioner who is able to deliver music therapy services independently. The Music Therapist is responsible for all aspects of music therapy service delivery and is accountable for the safety and effectiveness of the music therapy service delivery process. The Music Therapist may consult the Supervisory Recreation Therapist/ Section Chief, Recreation Therapy for more complex cases that do not have clear precedents or seek out assistance as needed. The Supervisory Recreation Therapist/ Section Chief, Recreation Therapy reviews all aspects of patient treatment for the results achieved and for conformance to the Recreation Therapy Section and PM&RS policies and requirements. The Music Therapist at this level has responsibilities to oversee students, assistants, and volunteers that are assigned to his/her work area as appropriate and as directed. Work Schedule: Sun-Thurs, 8am-4:30pm; some evenings 1-930 p.m., (WHEN) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: US Citizen Education: 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. 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. Required Certification Creative Arts Therapy (Music). Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. 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). Grade Requirements: Creditable Experience 1) Knowledge of Current Professional Recreation Therapy or Creative Arts Therapy Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities (also referred to as "clinical competencies") associated with current professional recreation or creative arts therapy practices. Evidence of such experience includes private practice, U.S. military services, local/state/federal government organizations, for profit/non-profit organizations, health care, or educational facilities. (2) Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to the next lower grade level. Experience satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice, which may be paid or non-paid employment as a recreation or creative arts therapist. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Creative Arts Therapist (Music), 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: i. 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. ii. 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. iii. 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. iv. 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. v. 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. vi. 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily very active in nature with some sedentary work involved when performing administrative tasks. Work requires physical health, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity. Prolonged standing, bending, lifting, reaching, pushing and walking are regular. The work can involve regular and recurring physical exertion when facilitating recreation / sports and fitness activities. Moderate to heavy lifting (between 5-50 pounds) is required. Assisting patients in mobility such as ambulation, transfers or repositioning may occur. It may involve driving motorized vehicles and assisting with transporting patients during community outings. The work involves irregular tours of duty, including day and night shifts, weekend and holiday tours.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. (Required document at time of application)

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/.

Contacts

• Address VA New Jersey Health Care System 385 Tremont Avenue East Orange, NJ 07018 US
• Name: Monique Barton
• Phone: 6463065973
• Email: [email protected]