Music Therapist

What will you do as a Pediatric Palliative Care Music Therapist

• Plan, organize, or direct medically prescribed music therapy activities designed to positively influence patients' psychological or behavioral status.

• Plan, organize, or direct medically prescribed music therapy activities designed to positively influence patients' psychological or behavioral status.

• Adapt existing or create new music therapy assessment instruments or procedures to meet an individual client's needs.

• Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of specific treatments or therapy approaches.

• Review research or literature in music therapy or related disciplines. Assess client functioning levels, strengths, and areas of need in terms of perceptual, sensory, affective, communicative, musical, or other abilities.

• Communicate client assessment findings and recommendations in oral, written, audio, video, or other forms.

• Confer with professionals on the client's treatment team to develop, coordinate, or integrate treatment plans.

• Design music therapy experiences to meet clients' goals or objectives. Improvise instrumentally, vocally, or physically to meet client's therapeutic needs.

• Establish client goals or objectives for music therapy treatment, considering client needs, capabilities, interests, overall therapeutic program, coordination of treatment, or length of treatment.

• Gather diagnostic data from sources such as case documentation, observations of clients, or interviews of clients or family members.

• Conduct information sharing sessions, such as in-service workshops for other professionals, potential client groups, or the general community.

• Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to music therapy.

• Plan or structure music therapy sessions to achieve appropriate transitions, pacing, sequencing, energy level, or intensity in accordance with treatment plans.

• Play musical instruments, such as keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments. Compose, arrange, or adapt music for music therapy treatments.

• Provide music therapy experiences to address client needs, such as using music for self-care, adjusting to life changes, improving cognitive functioning, raising self-esteem, communicating, or controlling impulses.

• Select or adapt musical instruments, musical equipment, or non-musical materials, such as adaptive devices or visual aids, to meet treatment objectives.

• Write treatment plans for case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients. Assess the risks and benefits of treatment termination for clients.

• Potential to supervise practicum for students, or interns engaged in music therapy activities.

• Conduct or assist in the conduct of music therapy research.

• Identify and respond to emergency physical or mental health situations.

• Integrate behavioral, developmental, improvisational, medical, or neurological approaches into music therapy treatments.

What are the qualifications to be a Pediatric Palliative Care Music Therapist

• Must be able to function independently in the home care setting while maintaining team collaboration.

• Must be able to provide music therapy assessments and interventions to children from a diverse background of ages, needs and abilities.

• Must be knowledgeable about a wide variety of health care experiences that pediatric palliative care patients may encounter

• 1-2 years' experience in areas like mental health, pediatrics, education, special needs, and/or social services.

• Excellent communication, listening and observational skills

• A high level of musical ability and knowledge

• The ability to relate to people from all backgrounds

• The ability to handle sensitive and difficult issues

• Emotional strength and ability to cope with challenging situations

• Empathy and the ability to gain clients' trust

• The confidence to work with people on their own and in groups

• Qualifications include bachelor's degree or higher in music therapy from a college or university program approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), Board Certified Music Therapist (CBMT), and computer proficiency.

• Knowledge of special needs and behaviors of infants, children, and adolescents

• Ability to analyze behavior related to developmental stage and make sound judgements based on the needs of the patient.

• Valid driver's license with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements and is in good working order.