Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

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This is a direct patient care position in which the incumbent is responsible for performing the work of a creative arts therapist of music, which encompasses a variety of different duties and responsibilities. The incumbent demonstrates an advanced competency, which qualifies him/her to perform work that involves 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. Applies 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. Independently designs, develops, or adapts unique music therapy methods for assessment, treatment or palliation, and evaluation procedures for complex clinical cases; implements and manages a broad range of specialized music therapy services for various and emerging patient evaluations and treatment procedures on patients with a variety of complex diagnoses and disabilities. The incumbent is responsible for developing, organizing and administering music therapy programs by applying current research literature and co-facilitate treatment with professionals from other disciplines, as well as understanding emerging models and trends in music therapy and the different uses of the music therapy to provide therapeutic interventions to patients on the various programs: community living centers, hospice, subacute, inpatient acute mental health, Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP), Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM), Medical Foster Home (MFH), outpatient Mental Health and Polytrauma System of Care, outpatient Recreation and Creative Art Therapy (CORE Center).

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Administer and interpret music therapy assessments and utilize clinical knowledge to develop unconventional assessment and interview approaches to effectively elicit information.
• Review pre-evaluation data in the medical record upon admission or through consult conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data across functional domains (i.e., behavioral, cognitive, communicative, emotional/ affective, physical, sensory, social, and musical).
• Plan, organize, and implement developmentally and situationally, appropriate, and evidence based comprehensive 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. These may include but are not limited to: music listening, singing, playing, creating, and improvising to understand musical behaviors as a means of self expression, communication, and adaptive behavior; for neurological or physical rehabilitation; pain management; increased independence; exploring self-concept; improved coping skills; interpersonal relationships and social skills; and group cohesion.
• Recommend and develop new treatment groups and programs (including co-treatment opportunities) for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues including, but not limited to, PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) to develop or promote a variety of clinical outcomes such as improved coping with grief, loss, palliative care/terminal illness, behavior management, conflict resolution, or non-verbal communication of difficult subject matter.
• Participate in other difficult work in co-treatment opportunities including neurological rehabilitation, mental health recovery programs, and palliative care related to the symptoms of a terminal illness.
• Plan, organize, implement, and evaluate public relations for the program to inform and educate others about music therapy in various settings including the complex interactions of the therapeutic process as well as the efficacy of music therapy in complex cases.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with some evening, weekend, and holiday coverage.
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Education. a) 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, b) 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. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a MT-BC by the CBMT. If hired under Education (b), certification cannot be waived.

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

Recreation Therapist - Creative Arts Therapy (Music) GS-9:

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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• 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.
• Knowledge of the roles and meaning of music in various cultures and subcultures.
• Knowledge to design, develop, or adapt unique music therapy methods for assessment, treatment, or palliation and evaluation procedures.
• 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.

Recreation Therapist, GS-11

• Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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: Experience in providing evidence based music therapy programming in the mental health and long term care settings. Experience with developing outcome based program planning including outcome measures and metrics.

References: VA Handbook 5005/111 Part II Appendix G60

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

Physical Requirements: In some assignments the work involves regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged walking or standing, bending, moderately heavy lifting or moving of equipment, positioning severely disabled patients and assisting patients in ambulation. The work requires specific, common physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures. The therapist must be able to push wheelchair patients on level and inclined ground. The therapist must be physically able to drive the station vehicles and pass the Occupational Health Clinic Motor Vehicle Operator Evaluation.

Driver's License: A valid driver's license is required for this position. You may be required to provide your license at the time of interview and a clean driving record report from the DMV during the online onboarding process.

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, resume, 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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.