Creative Arts Therapist (Music)

Company: Veterans Health Administration
Location: Omaha
Posted on: April 9, 2021

Job Description:

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) 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. 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-7 Creative Arts Therapist (Music) Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-9 Creative Arts Therapist (Music) (a) 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. AND (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: i. 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.
ii. Knowledge of the roles and meaning of music in various cultures and subcultures.
iii. Knowledge to design, develop, or adapt unique music therapy methods for assessment, treatment, or palliation and evaluation procedures.
iv. 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 Creative Arts Therapist (Music) (a) Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. AND (b) 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. All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. Please see the Required Documents section below for resume requirements. References: VA Handbook 5005/111 Part II Appendix G60 Recreation and Creative Arts Therapist Qualification Standard 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-11. Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements: Music Therapy is considered a vocation that requires "medium" work. Medium Work entails: exerting 20 - 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work. (i.e.: more than exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.) Examples of the medium strength required by RVTRI Music Therapist are as follows: a. Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. b. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts and binders. c. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling: 1 - 10 pounds constantly, 10 - 25 frequently, and 20 - 50 pounds occasionally. Specific examples include: i. Picking up, carrying and placing folders, charts, books and binders. ii. Setting up equipment for patients such as musical instruments and durable medical equipment. iii. Lifting and carrying adaptive equipment ranging in weight from negligible to 50 pounds. iv. Pushing and rolling equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and supply carts. v. Assisting patients in mobility such as ambulation and transfers, from minimal assistance to dependent transfers, which may be up to 50 pounds. 2. Music Therapy requires good manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment with examples as follows: a. Operating all aspects of a computer - keyboarding, webcam, mouse and control buttons. b. Demonstrating the use of all aspects of adaptive equipment for patient teaching. c. Assembling equipment as needed may require the use of simple hand tools.

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