Music Therapist - BIRCH Hospital

Job Summary: 

The Music Therapist provides therapeutic services to children and adolescents in the inpatient hospital setting, including those served by the long-term stabilization BIRCH program. Using evidence-based music therapy interventions, the therapist supports patients’ emotional regulation, communication, self-expression and social engagement. The Music Therapist collaborates closely with the multidisciplinary treatment team to integrate music therapy into individualized treatment plans and promote trauma-informed, person-centered care.

 

Essential Functions: 

• Develop and implement structured individual and group music therapy sessions based on

evidence-based approaches and individualized treatment goals.

• Utilize music-based interventions such as songwriting, active music-making, improvisation,

lyric analysis and music-assisted relaxation to:

- Reduce agitation, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.

- Improve emotional regulation and social skills.

- Enhance communication, self-esteem and identity formation.

• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary treatment team to assess patients’ needs and

document progress toward goals.

• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings and case consultations,

particularly for patients in the BIRCH program.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of music therapy sessions and clinical

observations in the electronic health record (EHR).

• Integrate trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices that promote safety,

empowerment and resilience.

• Participate in department and hospital-wide training, supervision and quality improvement

efforts.

• Provide consultation and in-service education to staff regarding music therapy principles and

benefits.

 

• Contribute to a therapeutic milieu through collaboration with recreational therapy, social

services and nursing staff.

• Maintain safe and appropriate use and storage of musical instruments and materials.

• Comply with all hospital policies, CARF standards and HIPAA confidentiality requirements.

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Music Therapy from an AMTA-approved program.

• Board Certification as a Music Therapist (MT-BC) through the Certification Board for Music

Therapists (CBMT) required.

• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCA/LPCC), Clinical Social Worker (CSW/LCSW) or

equivalent license preferred but not required.

• Must meet qualifications for behavioral health professionals in accordance with Kentucky

Medicaid, CMS and CARF-accredited inpatient psychiatric standards.

• At least one (1) year of music therapy experience in a behavioral health or child/adolescent

mental health setting strongly preferred.

• Experience working with youth with high acuity needs, complex trauma,

emotional/behavioral disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions (including autism and

intellectual disability) preferred.

 

Knowledge and Skills: 

• Proficiency in a variety of musical instruments (e.g., guitar, piano, percussion, voice) and

adaptability to group and individual interventions.

• Deep understanding of music therapy’s clinical applications within psychiatric treatment

settings.

• Ability to build therapeutic rapport with children and adolescents with diverse emotional and

cognitive needs.

• Strong documentation, communication and organizational skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary environment.