Creative Arts Therapist (Music)

Summary

The Creative Arts Therapist (Music) provides music therapy treatment interventions incorporating the five-step process of data collection, assessment, planning, intervention, and monitoring/evaluation of effectiveness of treatment

Duties

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Clinical:

• Administers Music Therapy and Recreation assessments and develops individualized treatment plans and interventions with an in-depth knowledge of symptoms of diagnoses in the provision of music therapy based on current literature and best practices.
• Provides assessment in areas of physical, cognitive, spiritual and emotional needs for residents and Veterans with diagnosis of TBI, Parkinson, Stroke, Mood Disorders, PTSD, Diabetes, COPD, Heart Disease, Cancer and other medical conditions associated with age related disabilities, within the CLC and facility as requested. Provides assessment and music therapy interventions for Veterans with Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. Provides support for family caregivers and includes them, where appropriate, in provision of services to their families.
• Serves as an interdisciplinary team member in the treatment of complex clinical cases and demonstrates an ability to design, develop, or adapt unique music therapy methods as needed.
• Evaluates, establishes outcome goals based on assessment findings, and develops treatment intervention plans. Implements and modifies as necessary treatment plan and goals as needed throughout course of treatment to ensure optimum outcomes.
• Serves as Creative Arts Therapy subject matter expert and representative on interdisciplinary teams and provides education to staff, students, patients, families and caregivers about the benefits of treatment interventions and goals.
• Provides consultation with patients, their families, and caregivers, regarding treatment interventions and goals, and provides education regarding adaptations needed to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes.
• Demonstrates ability and competency in treating patients that range in age from young adult to geriatric who may experience complex medical or mental health issues.
• Demonstrates the ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work and make adjustments to accomplish the workload, in accordance with established procedures.
• Develops therapeutic relationships with professional boundaries and establishes a safe environment for the patient to understand the symbolic expression of their creative arts therapy product, process and experience.
• Maintains knowledge of the roles and meaning of creative arts therapy in various cultures and works effectively with diverse populations developing recreational therapy programs and interventions.
• Demonstrates understanding of specialization in creative arts therapy and its effects on human growth and development, diagnostic classifications, and symptomatology when developing interventions.

Administration:

• Adheres to medical center policies and procedures. Utilizes Automated Data Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures. Adheres to medical center ADP security policy.
• Participates in the evaluation of equipment and supplies, which affect their service delivery.
• Develops and implements quality improvement systems as related to internal and external regulatory requirements, including patient safety.
• Cultivates and maintains effective relationships and communication with all patients, caregivers, interdisciplinary teams, medical center staff and community partners.

Education:

• Maintains professional competence and certification through participation in continuing education.
• Assists in teaching and providing learning opportunities for music therapy clinical interns/trainees as required.
• Participates in staff orientation, successfully completes medical center assigned mandatory trainings, and in-service activities.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Telework: Ad-Hoc only.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: Creative Arts Therapist (Music)

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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: SEE EDUCATION SECTION FOR DETAILS.
• Certification: Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. If hired under paragraph 3b(5)(b), certification cannot be waived.
• Exception: 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.
• 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).

Preferred Experience:

• At least 2 years of experience as a music therapist
• Ability to design, develop or adapt unique music therapy methods for assessment, treatment or palliation, and evaluation procedures for complex clinical cases.
• 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 treat patients with complex medical or mental health issues.

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.
• 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.
• Assignment. Employees at this level serve in a developmental level position as a creative arts therapist (music). They work under general supervision. Employees have an understanding of music therapy processes and procedures to provide patient care. They exercise judgment, administer and interpret music therapy assessments, and use clinical knowledge to develop assessment and interview approaches. They plan and organize 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. Duties may include, but are not limited to the use of music listening, singing, playing, creating, and improvising for therapeutic or palliative treatment. They recommend new treatment groups and programs (including co-treatment opportunities) for treating patients with medical or mental health issues.

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:
  
  
  • 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.
• 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. Continued in Additional Information Section.

Reference can be found at the VA Qualification Repository, VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) GS-0638 Recreation and Creative Arts Therapist dated June 7, 2019.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts are not required, however, failure to provide transcript may result in non-referral of your application if your education cannot be verified.

• 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. OR
• 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.

Accreditation Information: The bachelor's or master's degree in music therapy must be fully accredited by the National Association for Schools of Music and/or the American Music Therapy Association. Verification of accreditation may be made obtained from https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/ or https://www.musictherapy.org/.

Note: If your school was accredited by the National Association for Schools of Music and/or the American Music Therapy Association at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/ or https://www.musictherapy.org/ website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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.

Additional information

GS-11 Assignment. Continued 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.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7 through GS-11.

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.