Music Therapist- Mapp Child and Family Program- Children's and Women's

USA Health is changing how medical care, education and research impact the health of people who live in Mobile and the surrounding area. Our team of doctors, advanced care providers, nurses, therapists and researchers provide the region's most advanced medicine at multiple facilities, campuses, clinics and classrooms. We offer patients convenient access to innovative treatments and advancements that improve the health and overall wellbeing of our community.

Responsibilities

A Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) is a healthcare professional who uses clinical and evidence-based musical interventions to normalize the environment, distract from discomfort, and help patients better process the hospital experiences. The job involves assessing patients, designing and implementing individualized and group music-based interventions. Hospital music therapists use music to help patients with physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs by providing support during daily activities, procedures, pain management, stress reduction, aiding in rehabilitation, processing grief, and improving overall mood through activities like singing, playing instruments, songwriting, rhythmic exercises, or guided listening.

The professional responsibility within their scope of practice:

• Abides by and enforces all compliance requirements and policies and performs these responsibilities in an ethical manner consistent with the
  
  
  

organization's values.

• Adheres to hospital policies including confidentiality.
• Requires regular and prompt attendance.
• Works the assigned schedule including overtime.
• Assists with the orientation of new employees.
• Provides therapeutic musical activities.
• Provides orientation and conveys program philosophy for new employees, physicians, volunteers and students.
• Requires minimal supervision to safely perform patient care and essential functions.
• Utilizes proper body mechanics when moving equipment and/or supplies that are necessary to perform essential functions.
• Reports broken or malfunctioning equipment to supervisor or department head.
  
  
  

The Music Therapists department responsibilities:

• Provide therapeutic interventions in the Pediatric Departments, Emergency Department and other areas where pediatric patients receive care.
• Coping & Expression: Facilitating songwriting and lyric analysis to help patients process complex emotions regarding a new diagnosis, trauma, or prolonged isolation.
• Autonomy & Choice: Offering children an opportunity for control in a medical environment by allowing them to choose instruments, songs, or creative directions in their therapy.
• Adaptive Intervention Design: Select or modify musical equipment and non-musical materials, such as visual aids or adaptive digital devices, to ensure accessibility for patients with physical or sensory limitations.
• Procedural Support: Providing "music-assisted intervention" to reduce pain and anxiety during invasive procedures.
• Movement to Music: Active engagement ranging from tapping toes to learning coordinated dances to improve motor planning, balance, and gait
• Education & Advocacy: Educate families, caregivers, and other professionals on the clinical benefits of music therapy.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams (child life, teachers, nurses, social workers, doctors) to integrate music therapy into holistic care plans.
• Active Intervention: Lead patients and families in "active" experiences like songwriting to process grief, improvisation to practice social skills, or therapeutic instrument playing to improve motor coordination.
  
  
  

10, Legacy Building & Bereavement: to provide a lasting memory and emotional support for families in palliative or end-of-life care.(Creating heartbeat recordings—integrating a child’s live heartbeat into a song)

• Family-Centered Care: Engaging siblings and parents in music-making to strengthen family bonds and reduce the overall stress of a child’s hospitalization
• Assists with the coordination and supervision of hospital volunteers, student interns and clinical observers assigned to the Treehouse and Class Act programs.
• Performs other duties as required.
  
  
  

The Music Therapists communication responsibilities:

• Communicates and uses appropriate customer relation skills with physicians, patients, families, healthcare team and staffing, in person and via telephone.
• Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills to establish trust and therapeutic rapport with children and their families, often in stressful or traumatic environments.
  
  
  

The Music Therapist documentation responsibilities:

• Maintains accurate and complete records by:
  
  
  

Medical Record Entry: Maintain accurate and timely documentation in Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems, including initial assessments, progress notes, and discharge summaries.

• Documenting plans of care, assessments, interventions, interactions and responses for designated patient populations.
• Documenting teaching of therapy recommendations given to patients, parents, family.
  
  
  

The citizenship responsibilities:

• Accepts and completes all duties positively and without conflict.
• Cooperates, helps others and improves the performance of the unit.
• Completes all mandatory unit, educational and hospital requirements.
• Utilizes cost effective practices in performing all aspects of the job.
• Adheres to current Infection Control and Safety Standards.
  
  
  

The Music Therapist responsibilities for providing age specific care:

• Demonstrates the ability to provide competent patient care to the following patient populations:
  
  
  

Neonate, Infant-Toddler/Preschool, School age/Adolescent, Reproductive Age and Adult.

Mobility: Significant standing, walking between units, and the ability to transport heavy musical equipment (e.g., keyboards or large drums).

Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional empathy, active listening, and the ability to build rapport with diverse populations.

Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust musical interventions in real-time based on a patient’s immediate physical or mental state

Participates on committees as assigned. Participates in Performance Improvement activities and professional development opportunities, as required. Regular and prompt attendance; Ability to work schedule as defined and overtime as required; Related duties as required.

Employees must be in a regular position, working 20 hours or more per week (.50 FTE or greater) to qualify for benefits.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy or Music Education from an accredited institution as approved and accepted by the University of South Alabama and current Music Therapist – Board Certified (MT-BC) certification from the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT).

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

The University of South Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable legally protected basis.

EO Employer – minorities/females/veterans/disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity.