Music Therapist - Full-Time

Lighthouse Hospice Care•Downers Grove, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Music Therapist is responsible for providing individualized music therapy services to hospice patients to promote emotional, psychological, social, and physical well-being. Through therapeutic music interventions, the Music Therapist helps enhance quality of life, alleviate anxiety, pain, agitation, and stress, and provide comfort throughout the end-of-life process. The Music Therapist works collaboratively with patients, families, and the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) to develop individualized interventions consistent with each patient’s plan of care.

Requirements

Graduate of an American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) approved undergraduate music therapy program or an approved Certification Equivalency Program.
Current Board Certification (MT-BC) through the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), in good standing, with ongoing fulfillment of applicable continuing education requirements.
Experience providing music therapy in a healthcare, hospice, palliative care, home health, or similar clinical setting preferred.
Compassionate, patient, and empathetic approach to end-of-life care.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with members of the interdisciplinary team.
Strong organizational skills and understanding of the hospice philosophy.
Must read, write, and comprehend English.
Reliable transportation.
Valid and current auto liability insurance.

Responsibilities

In consultation with the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG), evaluates patients to determine appropriate music therapy interventions based on their needs, preferences, capabilities, goals, and physical tolerance.
Provides individualized music therapy sessions utilizing appropriate therapeutic techniques to address patients’ emotional, psychosocial, social, spiritual, and physical comfort needs.
Uses music therapy interventions to assist with symptoms and concerns such as anxiety, pain, agitation, stress, isolation, and emotional distress.
Develops music therapy interventions in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team and integrates music therapy into the patient’s individualized plan of care.
Observes, evaluates, documents, and reports patients’ responses to music therapy interventions and communicates significant changes in condition to the RN Case Manager and other appropriate team members.
Maintains accurate and ongoing patient information within the medical record. Documentation must be complete, timely, and consistent with organizational and professional standards.
Provides emotional support to patients and families through music and may assist with anticipatory grief and bereavement needs as appropriate.
Conducts individual and group music therapy sessions as appropriate to encourage comfort, engagement, expression, and social interaction.
Educates patients, families, caregivers, and interdisciplinary team members regarding the appropriate use of music to support comfort, relaxation, and the patient’s plan of care.
May create recordings of patient-preferred music for comfort when the Music Therapist is not present or as a legacy gift for the patient’s family.
May assist patients and families with music selections for funerals or memorial services and, when appropriate and requested, may provide music at such events.
May fabricate or adapt instruments when appropriate to maximize the patient’s ability to participate in music therapy.
Maintains ongoing effective communication with hospice personnel involved in patient care and participates in IDG meetings and other meetings as required.
Participates in staff education and in-service programs to promote understanding of music therapy and its role in hospice care.
May provide music during staff remembrance activities for deceased patients as appropriate.
Participates in hospice personnel orientation programs as requested.
Participates in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities as appropriate.
Adheres to applicable ethical and professional standards established by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and maintains required professional certification.
Assists patients, family members, caregivers, and other contacts in accordance with organizational performance standards and demonstrates Lighthouse Hospice Care values in all interactions.
Participates in hospice and community education programs as appropriate to promote understanding of hospice philosophy and music therapy services.