Creative Arts Therapist (Psychiatric Inpatient and Emergency) | CUIMC Campus | Full-Time | Tues - Sat | Day Flex Shift
About The Position
NewYork-Presbyterian is hiring a Creative Arts Therapist for psychiatric inpatient and emergency services at the Allen Hospital and Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Under the guidance of the Manager, the therapist performs Creative Arts Therapy duties in a professional role with no supervisory responsibilities. The therapist provides clinically and developmentally appropriate individual and group interventions to support patients’ emotional, psychosocial, cognitive, communicative, and behavioral functioning; develop coping skills; reduce anxiety and emotional distress; encourage self-expression; and promote recovery and well-being. The therapist is an integral member of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with Psychiatry, nursing, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, social work, psychology, and other healthcare professionals. The role includes participation in daily interdisciplinary rounds, advocacy for patients’ psychosocial and emotional needs, and contributions to a safe therapeutic environment. Art Therapy credentials and experience with visual arts interventions in psychiatric, crisis, or emergency behavioral health settings are strongly preferred. This is a full-time, on-site position scheduled Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with weekend and holiday coverage. Employees must live within a commutable distance to NewYork-Presbyterian; travel expenses are not reimbursed. The listed hourly salary range is $42.01–$48.41.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapy or a related field.
- Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) through the New York State Office of Professions.
- Registration as a Music Therapist – Board Certified (MT-BC), Art Therapy Registration (ATR), Certified Dance Therapist, or Certified Drama Therapist.
- Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.
- Completion of a clinical internship in a Creative Arts Therapy discipline.
- Proficiency in modalities relevant to the specific Creative Arts Therapy discipline, such as guitar or various art mediums.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Advanced interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively engage patients, families, and interdisciplinary staff.
Nice To Haves
- One to three years of Creative Arts Therapy experience.
- Art Therapy experience in an inpatient psychiatric, behavioral health, psychiatric emergency, or crisis intervention setting.
- Experience using visual arts interventions to support emotional regulation, coping, self-expression, and recovery in patients with acute psychiatric symptoms.
- Experience facilitating therapeutic art groups and individual art-based interventions in a fast-paced clinical environment.
- Experience providing therapeutic interventions in inpatient psychiatry, behavioral health, psychiatric emergency services, crisis stabilization, or other acute mental health settings.
- Experience applying trauma-informed care principles when supporting people experiencing mental health crises, emotional distress, or hospitalization.
- Demonstrated crisis intervention skills and ability to engage and support patients in acute psychiatric or emergency care environments.
- Experience working on a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
- Previous professional experience working with children and families in a hospital setting.
- Advanced knowledge of human growth and development.
- Doctoral degree (PhD) in a related field.
- Art Therapy credentials and experience are strongly preferred.
Responsibilities
- Assess patients’ psychosocial, emotional, developmental, and therapeutic needs using Creative Arts Therapy principles and interventions.
- Develop and implement individualized and group Creative Arts Therapy treatment plans in collaboration with patients and the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
- Use Creative Arts Therapy interventions to help patients cope with hospitalization, anxiety, emotional distress, and behavioral health challenges.
- Facilitate therapeutic programming that promotes adaptive coping, emotional expression, socialization, sensory awareness, and overall well-being.
- Communicate patient observations, assessments, and treatment progress to the interdisciplinary healthcare team, and advocate for patients’ psychosocial and emotional needs.
- Educate patients, families, staff, and the community about the therapeutic benefits of creative arts interventions.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the medical record and departmental reporting systems.
- Participate in program development, educational initiatives, quality improvement activities, and continued enhancement of Creative Arts Therapy services.
- Maintain professional licensure and stay current with evidence-based practices through continuing education and professional development.
- Participate in daily interdisciplinary rounds and contribute to a safe, therapeutic patient environment.
Benefits
- Comprehensive and competitive benefits supporting employees and their families.
- Opportunities for professional growth and continued learning.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
