Music Therapist - Senior Living

 Music Therapist

The Music Therapist plans, implements, and evaluates individualized and group music therapy services for residents. Using evidence-based music interventions, this role supports residents' physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being while collaborating with the interdisciplinary care team including partners, community agencies, physicians, families, members, consultants, and other departments within the campus and under the direction of the Lifestyle Director.

Join our team at one of our senior living communities offering independent living, assisted living, or memory care, where we put Residents First while being team-focused and quality-centered. We put Residents First, and our team members matter! At Sagora, we invest in and empower our team members to move upward within the company and in their careers. Based on team member surveys, we are certified as a Great Place to Work! Apply now to join our dedicated team that cares, just like you!

Our Core Values are Commitment, Empowerment, Communication, Excellence, and Teamwork!

Did you know that our name Sagora comes from the combination of two words – Sage, which means wisdom or wise person, and Agora, which means a gathering place. Our communities are a gathering place of wisdom!

Benefits: 

• Company-paid telemedicine service for benefit-eligible team members
• On-Demand Pay – request a pay advance!
• Discount and rewards program – use for electronics, food, car buying, travel, fitness, and more!
• Health/ Dental/ Vision/ Disability/ Life Insurance
• Flex Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flex Plan
• Health Savings Account
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with company matching!
• Paid time off and Holiday pay
• Team Member Assistance Program – counseling services at the other end of the phone!
• Discounted Meal Tickets
• Referral Bonus Program – earn money for referring your friends!
• Tuition Assistance (for programs directly related to team member's position)
• Lasting relationships with our residents who have so much wisdom to share

Position Details:

Community Name: Ellery Arbor Memory Care

Address: 8100 Precinct Line Rd

Phone number: +18175005006

Status: Full-time

Shift(s): Days

Starting Pay: $19.00 per hour

Responsibilities:

• Conduct initial and ongoing music therapy assessments for new and current residents. Identify therapeutic goals related to cognition, mood, mobility, pain management, and socialization. Collaborate with nursing, social services, and therapy teams to integrate music therapy into individualized care plans.
• Design and facilitate regularly scheduled group music therapy sessions across all care levels. Provide one-on-one sessions for residents with complex needs, end-of-life care, or acute behavioral symptoms. Adapt session format, repertoire, and techniques to residents' functional abilities and preferences.
• Implement evidence-based music interventions — including neurologic music therapy (NMT) techniques — to address behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Use music to support orientation, reminiscence, agitation reduction, and preserved long-term memory in residents with Alzheimer's and related conditions.
• Partner with physical, occupational, and speech therapy teams to use music as a therapeutic modality for gait training, fine motor coordination, respiratory function, and speech/language goals. Support post-stroke and Parkinson's residents using rhythmic auditory stimulation and vocal exercises.
• Maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation of assessments, session notes, progress notes, and goal updates in the electronic health record (EHR). Ensure documentation meets federal, state, and accreditation standards, including MDS/RAI requirements where applicable. Participate in care conferences and family meetings.
• Provide comfort-focused music therapy for residents receiving hospice or palliative care. Support residents and families through end-of-life transitions using music to reduce anxiety, facilitate legacy work, and provide emotional comfort. Coordinate with hospice partners and chaplaincy as part of the palliative care team.
• Train care staff on the therapeutic uses of music in daily routines — including music for bathing, dressing, and sundowning management. Educate families on how to use personalized music playlists at the bedside. Serve as a resource for the community on the evidence-based applications of music therapy.
• Contribute to the community's life enrichment calendar by developing themed music programs, concerts, intergenerational events, and seasonal performances. Coordinate with volunteers and local musicians. Support department goals around engagement, census, and quality of life
• Works alongside the Lifestyle Director in creating the monthly Calendar.
• Responsible for sharing ideas, resources, and member interests to assist in the development of the Individual Wellness Program for all levels of care.
• Work with other members of the management team to market and manage the community.
• Perform all other duties assigned by management.

Skills/Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Music Therapy from an AMTA-approved program
• Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) credential via CBMT
• Clinical experience with older adults or in a healthcare setting
• Proficiency on at least one primary instrument (guitar, piano preferred)
• Preferred Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) certification
• Preferred experience in memory care programming or with senior adults.
• Ability to work with minimal or close supervision.
• Must be physically able to respond to medical emergencies in all areas of the community and be able to assist with resident evacuations.
• Affinity toward senior adults
• Organization and customer service skills 
• Great communication skills (written and verbal)
• Must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively with residents, families, guests, and other associates in English

Sagora does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies or fee based recruitment services. Sagora is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applicants without regard to race, marital status, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.