What are the responsibilities and job description for the Music Therapist - BIRCH Hospital position at RIVER VALLEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH?
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.
Qualifications: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.