Music Therapist

A Hospice Music Therapist provides therapeutic music interventions to support the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients receiving end-of-life care. The role works as part of the interdisciplinary hospice team to enhance comfort, reduce anxiety and distress, encourage meaningful connection, and improve quality of life for patients and their families.

The Music Therapist assesses each patient’s individual needs and develops personalized music therapy interventions based on the patient’s condition, preferences, culture, abilities, and goals of care. Services may be provided in patients’ homes, assisted living communities, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient hospice settings, or other locations where hospice care is delivered.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete music therapy assessments and develop individualized goals and interventions.
• Provide evidence-informed interventions such as live music, singing, instrument playing, songwriting, music-assisted relaxation, reminiscence, and legacy projects.
• Use music therapeutically to support comfort and help address anxiety, agitation, isolation, emotional distress, and other end-of-life needs.
• Adapt interventions based on the patient’s cognitive, emotional, physical, and functional abilities.
• Provide emotional support and meaningful engagement for patients and their families.
• Collaborate with nurses, social workers, chaplains, physicians, aides, and other members of the hospice interdisciplinary team.
• Participate in interdisciplinary group (IDG) meetings and contribute to the patient’s plan of care as appropriate.
• Educate families and caregivers regarding therapeutic uses of music for comfort and connection.
• Document assessments, interventions, patient responses, and progress according to agency standards.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, hospice policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Provide compassionate, culturally sensitive care while respecting individual beliefs, preferences, and end-of-life wishes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Music Therapy from an accredited/approved music therapy program.
• MT-BC (Music Therapist–Board Certified) credential through the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), typically required or strongly preferred.
• Completion of required clinical music therapy internship/training.
• Previous experience in hospice, palliative care, healthcare, geriatrics, or behavioral health preferred.
• Knowledge of end-of-life care, grief, loss, and family dynamics preferred.
• Strong musical proficiency and ability to adapt music interventions to individual patient needs.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently in patients’ homes and collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• CPR certification, valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and required automobile insurance may be required for field-based positions.