Hospice Music Therapist

In hospice care, music therapy is a powerful tool for physical, emotional, and spiritual care. Music therapists mold live music to decrease anxiety and pain, to promote relaxation, to facilitate communication and to provide support in life review and legacy work. The music therapist will be committed to the philosophy, goals and objectives of the hospice program and will work under the general supervision of the Director of Nursing and interdisciplinary team. 

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Accountability: 

Reports to the Director of Nursing

Essential Job Functions:

1. Fosters and maintains an effective working relationship between co-workers, patients, and other professional members of the community
2. Follows an individualized Plan of Care established by the interdisciplinary team for each patient
3. Works with the interdisciplinary team to establish goals and interventions related to the patient’s needs for music therapy
4. Gathers data as assigned by the interdisciplinary team
5. Adapts music as a supportive tool to include listening to live music, songwriting, and improvisation
6. Uses music to help patients work on life review and reflection
7. Works with the patients’ families to develop legacy work
8. Acts as a community resource for the benefits of music therapy in hospice
9. Makes patient visits and follow up phone calls with the patient/caregiver as needed
10. Understands the needs of varied activities for patients appropriate to age and level of understanding
11. Immediately reports changes, unusual conditions, observations and pertinent information to the RN Case Manager and interdisciplinary team
12. Works with all disciplines to accomplish patient goals and recognizes that music can transcend a patient’s pain and symptoms as well as emotional distress
13. Understands/provides basic principles of palliative care/pain management within the Scope of Practice
14. Utilizes appropriate chain of command
15. Complies with all documentation policies/procedures
16. Completes appropriate documentation in a legible and timely manner
17. Other duties as assigned

Specific to Job Position:

1. Adheres to patient rights, abuse reporting and confidentiality policies
2. Attend scheduled staff meetings and/or in-service trainings
3. Adheres to departmental dress code requirements related to uniform, personal grooming, and other attire
4. Demonstrates reliability by making every attempt to report to work on time, providing proper notification for absence or tardiness, and participating in required meetings
5. Demonstrates ability to problem-solve and make decisions by assessing situations and considering alternatives, seeking guidance and direction as necessary, utilizing proper chain of command
6. Demonstrates effective time management skills by coordinating activities to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency, has a willingness to adjust or revise work schedules as requested
7. Assumes responsibility for on-going personal development and continuing education 
8. Stays current with all mandatory agency and regulatory requirements
9. Completes assigned projects within specified time frames

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Physical/Safety Requirements:

1. Participates appropriately in emergency procedures (including disaster drills)
2. Operates equipment in a safe manner and shares responsibility for communicating safety violations or unsafe practices to management
3. Able to use general office equipment (telephone, copy machine, fax machine)
4. Category 2 for potential exposure to blood/body fluids. (Does not usually require the performance of procedures or other tasks in the work routine that involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues, but Category 2 tasks may require the unexpected performance of these procedures)
5. Occasionally requires reaching, stooping, and kneeling; frequently requires sitting; regularly requires standing, walking, use of hands, talking and hearing
6. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus
7. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles, work- related stresses, and driving hazards
8. This individual may be required to drive to meetings with clients, health care professionals and patient’s homes
9. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the employer will provide reasonable accommodations to meet the work environmental and physical demands listed above.

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Qualifications and Experience:

1. Must be currently licensed as a Music Therapist by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) for Music Therapists
2. Board certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists
3. Prefer 1 year experience as a music therapist in an outpatient or inpatient setting, (home care experience a plus)
4. Successful completion of a background check pursuant to NRS 449.188 and NRS 179A.100 along with a pre-employment drug screen and physical, TB testing, previous employment and reference checking, and an MVR (may include verification of education)
5. Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
6. Certification in CPR/BLS, First Aid required
7. Must be able to handle frequent interruptions
8. Must be able to cope with emotionally charged situations encompassing patients, families, and other caregivers
9. Must possess reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and current auto insurance  

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Benefits:

Paid Time Off

NV Paid Leave

Medical Insurance

Dental & Vision Insurance

Voluntary Ancillary Insurance

Paid Holidays

Floating Holiday

401k with Company Match

Employee Assistance Program

Employee Discount Program

Uniforms

Welcoming Culture