Music Therapist - Adolescent Behavioral Health

Description

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Summary

UNC Health, Pardee is seeking a compassionate and skilled Music Therapist to join our multidisciplinary team within the inpatient adolescent psychiatric unit. The Music Therapist will be responsible for planning and facilitating therapeutic music interventions to support adolescents (ages 12–17) experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms. This position plays a key role in fostering emotional expression, coping skills, and social connection through evidence-based music therapy techniques in a highly structured clinical environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead individual and group music therapy sessions that address patients’ emotional, cognitive, social, and behavioral goals.
• Utilize a wide range of music therapy interventions, including improvisation, songwriting, lyric analysis, music-assisted relaxation, and structured musical activities.
• Assess patient needs and preferences and contribute to individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
• Provide clear, timely documentation of patient progress and therapy outcomes, following hospital policies and standards.
• Participate in daily treatment team meetings and contribute to clinical discussions regarding patient care and discharge planning.
• Adapt music therapy interventions to suit the developmental stage, cultural background, and psychiatric diagnosis of each patient.
• Promote a safe, trauma-informed, and inclusive therapeutic environment during all sessions.
• Maintain instruments, music materials, and supplies in good condition and ensure proper sanitization and storage.
• Contribute to ongoing development of the music therapy program, including evaluation of its effectiveness and incorporation of best practices.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current with advances in music therapy and adolescent behavioral health.
  
  

Qualifications

Other information:

Required

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Music Therapy from an AMTA-approved program.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working in a behavioral health setting (internships may be considered).
• Current CPR/BLS certification or willingness to obtain upon hire.
• Strong musical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-based environment with patients in acute emotional distress.
  
  

Preferred

• Prior experience in an inpatient psychiatric or hospital setting.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care, DBT skills, and crisis intervention.
• Bilingual abilities are a plus.
• Certification as a Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC) through the Certification Board for Music Therapists.
  
  

Work Environment

• Locked inpatient psychiatric unit serving adolescents with acute mental health needs.
• Schedule may include weekends, holidays, or evening hours depending on programming requirements.
• Regular collaboration with psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, educators, and recreational staff.
  
  

Job Details

Legal Employer: Pardee - HCHC

Entity: Pardee UNC Health Care

Organization Unit: Pardee Adolescent Behavior Health Unit Admin

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: PARDEEHOSP

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No