The Lead Creative Arts Therapist (Music) for the VA Maryland Health Care System is aligned under Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services. 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, and families; maintain or rehabilitate patients' physical and/or mental health.

Duties

Major duties but not 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. Recommends adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet the assessed needs and preferences in music therapy. 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. The Lead Music Therapist is expected to perform documentation of patient care including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, and other reports as needed. The therapist documents the treatment rendered and patient's progress in the computerized patient medical record (CPRS) and discusses progress with the treatment team. The therapist regularly reviews patient progress and adapts or adjusts the treatment plan and intervention strategies accordingly. Work Schedule: M-F, 8am-4:30pm Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: No Permanent Change of Station (PCS): No 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: 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. English Language Proficiency- Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Certification-Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. If hired under paragraph 3b(5)(b), certification cannot be waived. 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 for Creative Arts Therapist (Music), GS-12: Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of two years of progressively complex experience, which includes one year equivalent at the next lower grade directly related to the position being filled. AND Certification: Certification in a specialty treatment area in music therapy, such as but not limited to: advanced improvisational music therapy, bonny method of guided imagery and music (BM-GIM), neurological music therapy (NMT), creative music therapy, or in a directly related field, such as palliative care, dementia care, or substance abuse. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to apply the creative processes of music listening, singing, playing, creating, and improvising to respond to the complex dynamics of musical and interpersonal relationships that emerge at different stages in the therapeutic process and to accomplish therapeutic or palliative care treatment goals. Ability to reproduce, notate, and transcribe musical responses of patients, provide spontaneous musical support for patient improvisations, compositions, or responses, and to use different methods of musical analysis for patient assessment and evaluation. Ability to identify and differentiate theoretical constructs and treatment orientations, including but not limited to: cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, person-centered therapy, humanistic therapy, existential therapy, psychosocial development, and human development that underlies the various clinical practices and approaches of current models of music therapy for individuals, families, or groups. Knowledge of strategies for self-care and use of self-awareness and insight, using personal reflection (e.g., journaling, artistic involvement, meditation, other spiritual pursuits) to identify and address one's personal issues and the impact of these issues within the therapeutic process, to provide appropriate breadth and depth to the patient's experience and process in music therapy. Skill in supervising and mentoring students in clinical training, supervision, teaching, and research, designing and implementing methods of observing and evaluating student competence, and the use of music and the norms and practices of other cultures. Ability to collaborate with others to conduct research, using various methods and appropriate procedures to avoid or minimize potential confounding of the data; to interpret and disseminate research results consistent with established standards of inquiry; and to evaluate scholarly and student research regarding research questions or problems, methods, procedures, data collection, analysis, and conclusions. References: June 7, 2019 VA Handbook 5005/111 PART II [APPENDIX G60. RECREATION AND CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0638 Veterans Health Administration The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VA Maryland Health Care System 10 North Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21201 US
• Name: Nikki Watson
• Phone: 410-605-7000
• Email: [email protected]