Music Therapist

Music Therapist | BeLoved Hospice

Job Summary

In hospice care, music therapy is a powerful tool for physical, emotional and spiritual care.  Music therapists mold live music to decrease anxiety and pain, to promote relaxation, to facilitate communication and to provide support in life review and legacy work.  The music therapist will be committed to the philosophy, goals and objectives of the hospice program and will work under the general supervision of the Director of Nursing and Interdisciplinary Team.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

General:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the agency’s mission, philosophy and scope of services.
2. Demonstrates knowledge and respect of rights and responsibilities by observance of patient/participant: Privacy, confidentiality and safety, including reporting of patient/participant abuse or neglect.
3. Foster and maintain an effective working relationship between co-workers, patients, families, caregivers, and other professional members of the community.
4. Demonstrates reliability by: Making every attempt to report to work on time and providing proper notification for absence or tardiness.
5. Demonstrates ability to problem-solve and make decisions by: Assessing situations and considering all possibilities to resolve the issues then correcting the problems presented in a reasonable amount of time.
6. Seeks guidance and direction as needed, utilizing proper chain of command.
7. Demonstrates professionalism at all times by respectful interpersonal relationships with employees, patients, families, caregivers, referral sources, contractors, and community members.
8. Demonstrates effective time management skills by: Coordinating activities to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency, willingness to adjust or revise work schedules as requested, seeking prior authorization for overtime, adhering to the policy for make-up time, completing assigned projects within specified time frames.
9. Participates in Performance Improvement activities when requested.
10. Works well independently and within the Interdisciplinary Team structure.
11. Promotes a team approach through cooperation, mutual respect, flexibility and dependability.
12. Ensures all regulatory standards for State, Federal and CHAP are met.
13. Assumes responsibility for on-going personal development and continuing education.
14. Completes monthly and annual trainings as assigned by the Governing Board, Director of Human Resources and/or Director of Nursing.
15. Creates opportunities for new referrals and referral relationships when representing the company in the community.
16. Supports the philosophy, objectives and mission of BeLoved Hospice.
17. Stays current with all mandatory agency requirements.
18. Attire to be consistent with the BeLoved Hospice dress code policy.

Specific to Position:

1. Follows an individualized Plan of Care established by the interdisciplinary team for each patient.
2. Immediately reports any changes to the RN Case Manager and interdisciplinary team.
3. Reports unusual conditions, observations and pertinent information to the nurse.
4. Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings
5. Participates in Performance Improvement activities as requested.
6. Provides intervention and support as needed related to terminal illness and loss within Scope of Practice.
7. Provides music therapy consultation and services to the patient and family in accordance with the interdisciplinary plan of care.     
8. Assess the strengths and needs of referred patients and provides the indicated treatment including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music.
9. Implementation of music interventions that address the needs of a variety of patients.
10. Competent with a variety of musical instruments and skills including transposition, improvisation, song writing, and therapeutic music activities.
11. Serves as a liaison for staff and volunteers in the implementation of music interventions with the hospice patients.
12. Directs and assists patients through music therapy interventions to assist with alleviating symptoms of anxiety, depression, isolation, agitation, restlessness, sleeplessness, pain, tension, relaxation, and comfort.
13. Provides ongoing education to the Interdisciplinary Team about the appropriateness or contraindications for treatment.
14. Designs music sessions for individuals and groups based on patient needs.
15. Documents patient/family response to music therapy sessions in the patient’s electronic health record.
16. Periodically re-evaluates the patient to determine the effectiveness of interventions.
17. Provides basic and specialized teaching as required in the Plan of Care and documents the response of patients and/or family.
18. Provides emotional and spiritual support and makes appropriate referrals to other team members
19. Facilitates communication among patient, family and hospice team
20. Other duties as assigned.

Physical/Safety Requirements:

1. Participates in emergency procedures, including disaster drills.
2. Operation of equipment in a safe manner and shares responsibility for communicating safety violations or unsafe practices to management.
3. Equipment Used: General office equipment (telephone, copy machine, computer, fax machine) and motor vehicles.
4. Category 1 for potential exposure to blood/bodily fluids.
5. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
6. Utilizes appropriate PPE, as needed.
7. Follow the designated plan of action in the event of a fire or other emergency/disaster/
8. Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
9. Must have the strength and endurance required for sitting for lengthy periods of time.
10. Must possess sight/hearing/speech senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position are fully met.
11. Use appropriate body mechanics as needed for personal use.
12. Utilize appropriate basic office equipment.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job.

1. Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from an accredited university
2. Certification by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (Graduating students preparing for certification are encouraged to apply!)
3. Strong knowledge of medical music therapy
4. Must be able to speak, read and write the English language.
5. Must have reliable transportation and maintain auto insurance.
6. Successful completion of background check pursuant to ORS 181A.195.
7. Must be able to handle frequent interruptions, problem solve, and have exceptional follow through skills. 
8. Must be able to cope with emotionally charged situations encompassing patients, families, caregivers, and team members.

Benefits

• Group Health Plan Medical Coverage, Dental, and Vision
• Employee Assistance Program, Life & AD&D Insurance at no cost to you
• Supplemental health benefits such as hospital confinement, accident insurance, and more
• 401(k) with employer match
• Mileage reimbursement
• Education reimbursement opportunities 
• Eight Paid Holidays
• PTO accrual of 120 hours per year
• Free Gym Membership
• KATANA safety device and support 
• and more!