Music Specialist

The  Meaning Life Department on the  Manhattan campus is seeking  a full time Music Therapist on temporary basis  to join our team! The assignment will be starting on July 2026. 

Job Summary: Under the supervision of the Director of Client Experience and Meaningful Life, the Music Specialist conducts individual resident/patient assessments to identify interests and needs, maintains clinical and other records within departmental policies and practices, as well as DOH/CMS standards, and participates in care planning and meetings for an assigned group of residents/patients. The Music Specialist develops, plans, coordinates, conducts, and evaluates a variety of therapeutic recreation and music programs, leisure activities, individual interventions, and collaboratively develops and conducts facility-wide events, to promote optimal physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual well-being of residents/patients, based on resident/patient needs and preferences.
 
Reports To: Director of Client Experience and Meaningful Life
 
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Conducts individual assessments, reassessments and monitoring to determine resident/patient recreational needs and interests.
• Completes all clinical documentation for assigned group of residents on a timely basis, within departmental and facility policies and practices, and to DOH/CMS standards, including assessments, progress notes, care plans, and any other documentation as may be appropriate/required.
• Works with care plan team to develop and implement the plan of care. Attends and participates in interdisciplinary care plan meetings.
• Develops, plans, coordinates, produces, and distributes a monthly calendar/schedule of therapeutic recreation programs, music programs, and leisure activities based on resident needs and preferences for assigned population.
• Conducts planned recreational and music programs according to schedule.
• Conducts unscheduled leisure activities that may be beneficial to the population served.
• Conducts recreational programs in other areas of the Home as may be needed or as may be desirable as a means of sharing specialized skills in music (e.g., Drumming Circle, Glee Club).
• Works collaboratively with other staff to coordinate, participate in, or lead facility wide events.
• Develops and implements individual activities for those residents who need, or who prefer, one-to-one recreational/ music activity.
• Provides adaptive interventions as needed to enable residents to maximize participation.
• Works with unit teams, coordinates and facilitates escort/transportation for residents to attend events.
• Plans and accompanies residents on recreational outings.
• Provides education and assistance to residents for voter registration and absentee ballots.
• Guides, directs, provides information to, and provides oversight to Therapeutic Recreation Aides, Therapeutic Recreation student interns, volunteers, and others; provides feedback to department director.
• Provides clinical guidance, mentoring and education for other staff members regarding conducting activities and leisure opportunities.
• Encourages and motivates residents to participate in recreational pursuits and assists in escorting/transporting residents to such activities.
• Coordinates postings on the activity bulletin board and other displays in a timely manner, including posting planned activities on a monthly or other scheduled basis as determined by the needs of the residents/patients. Keeps boards/displays current. Designs and publicizes communications, signs, and invitations.
• Conducts Activity Planning Meetings with residents, as appropriate. Follows up and evaluates residents’ requests for potential inclusion in future programming.
• Prepares supplies for recreation and music programs.
• Monitors supply inventory and submits orders to Director for materials, supplies and resources for resident activities and makes resources available to other staff.
• Oversees decoration supplies and the display of seasonal decorations.
• Sustains an effective working knowledge of each resident and staff of the community.
• Develops and maintains positive relationship/communication with residents and their families and friends, as well as staff and volunteers.
• Maintains required records in an accurate and timely fashion. Ensures completion of attendance log.
• Attends departmental meetings, team meetings, staff development classes, other meetings as may be needed.
• Completes mandatory in-services.
• Works a flexible schedule to facilitate the therapeutic recreation operations of the facility.
• Complies with The New Jewish Home’s departmental and facility policies and procedures.
• Provides therapeutic recreation services in compliance with federal and state guidelines.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.