Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to the public. If you are a Current, Permanent VA employee, Health Professional Trainees or other Federal Employees, please apply to the internal announcement: CBSU-12767909-25-ALA

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VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU

The Music Therapist is assigned to the Whole Health program within the Social Work service at the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System. This is a direct patient care position in which the incumbent is responsible in an entry level capacity for performing the work of a creative arts therapist of music, which encompasses a variety of different duties and responsibilities.

The incumbent has knowledge of music therapy procedures which qualifies him/her to perform under close guidance 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. Recommends 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 under higher level of supervision is responsible to participate in 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.

Other duties may 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 demonstrate an ability to design, develop, or adapt unique music therapy methods as needed. Completes clinical documentation of patient care including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, and other reports with as needed.
• Serves 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 establish a safe environment for the patient to understand the symbolic expression of their musical product, process, and experience.
• Is knowledgeable of the roles and meaning of music in various cultures and works effectively with diverse populations developing music therapy programs and interventions.

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 trial period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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:

Citizenship: Citizen of the United States (U.S.). (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)).

Education:
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.
OR,
A Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. The private organization must deem such education at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs

Certification: Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. If hired under VA Handbook 5005/111 PART II APPENDIX G60, paragraph 3b(5)(b), certification cannot be waived.

Exception: Non-registered and/or non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for registration and/or certification, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate recreation or creative arts therapist, under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B), for a period not to exceed two years. Applicants who fail to obtain registration and/or certification during this temporary full-time appointment may be terminated. The exception only applies to positions at the GS-7 and GS-9 level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be registered and/or certified.

Grade Determinations:

GS-7:
Experience/Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

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 KSA's:

• 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 a palliation and evaluation procedures.
• Skill to apply objectivity and insight to respond and constructively to both positive and negative reactions while maintaining a safe environment for the patient and therapist.

• Knowledge of the roles and meaning of music in various cultures and subcultures, how culture influences identity formation, concept 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, symptomology and prognosis and 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 emergent 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 recreational therapy, as well as understanding emerging models and trends in music therapy.

How you will be evaluated

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

Area of Consideration- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies
4. All other applicants.

Note: Veteran's preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies.

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.