Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs only. If you are NOT a current, permanent employee of VA please reply to announcement number CBTD-11385830-22-MC.

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The duties of the Creative Arts Therapist (Music)/Music Therapist include but are not limited to:

• Administers music therapy assessments and develops relevant music therapy interventions informed by evaluation data, current research and best practices.
• Collaborates in co-treatment of complex clinical cases and demonstrates an ability to design, develop or adapt unique music therapy methods as needed.
• Completes clinical documentation of patient care including assessment, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans and other reports as needed.
• Service as Music Therapy subject matter expert and representative on interdisciplinary teams and provides education to staff, students, patients, families and caregivers about the benefits of music therapy and treatment interventions and goals.
• Develops therapeutic relationships with professional boundaries and establishes a safe environment for the patient to understand the symbolic expression of their musical product, process and experience.
• Uses Knowledge of roles and meaning of music in various cultures and works effectively with divers populations developing music therapy programs and interventions.
• Uses understanding of music therapy and its effects on human growth and development, musical development, diagnostic classifications and symptomatology when developing music therapy interventions.

Work Schedule: Full Time
Telework: Available on a limited basis
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:689-F04187
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

NOTIFICATIONS:

• This is not a Bargaining Unit Positions.
• This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.
• This position is in the Excepted Service.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education. The following education requirements apply to the creative arts therapist (music):
  Creative Arts Therapist (Music)
  A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, in music therapy, or in music with an emphasis in music therapy. The degree must be approved by the National Association for Schools of Music and/or the American Music Therapy Association.
  OR,
  A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). If hired under this education, the certification cannot be waived.
• Certification: Creative Arts Therapy (Music). Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:

Creative Arts Therapist (Music), GS-7
(a) Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Creative Arts Therapist (Music), GS-9
(a) Experience/Education. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level or a master's degree in creative arts therapy (music) may be substituted for the required one year of professional creative arts therapist (music) experience.
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Ability to perform a varied repertoire of popular, folk, and traditional songs appropriate for use in a clinical setting using at least two of the following: keyboard, voice, guitar, percussion or other musical instruments suitable to a clinical setting.
2. Knowledge of the roles and meaning of music in various cultures and subcultures. iii. Knowledge to design, develop, or adapt unique music therapy methods for assessment, treatment, or palliation and evaluation procedures. iv. Skill to apply objectivity and insight to respond constructively to both positive and negative reactions while maintaining a safe environment for the patient and therapist.

(c) Assignment. Employees at this level serve in a developmental level position as a creative arts therapist (music). They work under general supervision. Employees have an understanding of music therapy processes and procedures to provide patient care. They exercise judgment, administer and interpret music therapy assessments, and use clinical knowledge to develop assessment and interview approaches. They plan and organize music therapy interventions for persons diagnosed with chronic or life-threatening conditions, as well as their families and in collaboration with an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary team. Duties may include, but are not limited to the use of music listening, singing, playing, creating, and improvising for therapeutic or palliative treatment. They recommend new treatment groups and programs (including co-treatment opportunities) for treating patients with medical or mental health issues.

Creative Arts Therapist (Music), GS-11
(a) Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level.
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
i. Knowledge of the roles and meaning of music in various cultures and subcultures, how culture influences identity formation, concepts of health and pathology, and understanding of the role of music therapy and how music therapy is practiced.
ii. Knowledge of current methods of music therapy assessment, treatment, and evaluation related to human growth and development, musical development, diagnostic classifications, etiology, symptomatology, and prognosis in formulating complex treatment plans, including the contraindications of music therapy for individuals and groups.
iii. Ability to design, develop, or adapt unique music therapy methods for assessment, treatment or palliation, and evaluation procedures for complex clinical cases, through a broad range of specialized music therapy services for various and emerging patient populations. iv. Ability to use music therapy interventions to provide opportunities to work through treatment issues, including emotional disturbances, by establishing a safe environment for the patient to understand the symbolic expression of their musical product, process, and experience as it relates to recovery and wellness.
v. Ability to apply effective use of professional skill, objectivity, and insight to respond constructively to both positive and negative reactions, establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship with professional boundaries to reflect trusting, empathetic, and respectful interactions. vi. Ability to apply current research literature and co-facilitate treatment with professionals from other disciplines, the uses of the creative arts therapies and recreation therapy, as well as understanding emerging models and trends in music therapy.

Preferred experience: Strong clinical skills in mental health, Anxiety/PTSD, depression, schizophrenia neuropsychiatry, substance use disorder, and be trauma informed.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part ii, Appendix GS60

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; lifting and moving music equipment and instruments; pushing or pulling heavy objects - including veterans in wheelchairs, gurneys, leading or directing physical activities/exercise. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average agility and dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures, as well as skill and ability in the therapist's respective discipline.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.