Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties include but are not limited to:

• Plans, develops, and implements comprehensive, routine treatment programs other patients or groups of patients.
• Performs assessments, evaluations and treatments in order to help prevent functional decline, promote physical, mental and psychosocial health and well-being.
• Provides patient care and support services to a population of veterans, young adult to geriatric, which is characterized by a significant number of older male patients.
• Applies evidence-based motivation techniques to develop and implement new approaches to treatment interventions.
• Exercises independent judgment, administers, and interprets music therapy assessments, and uses clinical knowledge to develop unconventional assessment and interview approaches to effectively elicit information.
• Recommends, develops new treatment groups and programs including Co treatment opportunities for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues including but not limited to traumatic brain injury to promote a variety of clinical outcomes.
• Participates in multidisciplinary ward clinic rounds as needed providing information on patient assessments and progress.
• Fosters an environment that values and respects individual differences.
• Helps resolve patient issues and complaints at the lowest level and refers unresolved grievances and complaints to appropriate resources maintains clinic areas, equipment, and supplies and a clean and organized manner.
• Maintains accountability for musical supplies and equipment checkouts to patients for therapeutic use.

Work Schedule: Sunday - Thursday, 08:00 - 16:30
(Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:51068F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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 examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: (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).
• Certification: Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT.
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)

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:
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.

GS-11:

• Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's:
  • 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.

Preferred Experience: Highly preferred at the full performance level

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical examination as required by VA Handbook 5019. This examination is administered by VA Occupational Health. This position requires moderate lifting up to 44 lbs., carrying objects up to 15 lbs., frequent reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, hands and legs, use of cranes and motor vehicles, walking & standing up to 8 hours, bending and climbing and able to hear whisper. The incumbent must be physically, emotionally and mentally stable in order to efficiently perform the essential functions of this position without hazard to themselves or others.

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.