PediPal Music Therapist

About this position as a PediPal Music Therapist

Responsible for the development and implementation of home-based music therapy to patients serviced by HopeHealth and the Pediatric Palliative Care Network (PPCN) Program. Provide specialized therapeutic techniques to children with limited life expectancy, their siblings, and families according to a medically approved plan of care, guided by American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).  

This position is part time, 10-16 hours per week and will vary based on availability.

This is a contract position that is not eligible for benefits.  

What will you do as a PediPal Music Therapist

• Plan, organize, or direct medically prescribed music therapy activities designed to positively influence patients' psychological or behavioral status.
• Plan, organize, or direct medically prescribed music therapy activities designed to positively influence patients' psychological or behavioral status.
• Adapt existing or create new music therapy assessment instruments or procedures to meet an individual client's needs.
• Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of specific treatments or therapy approaches.
• Review research or literature in music therapy or related disciplines. Assess client functioning levels, strengths, and areas of need in terms of perceptual, sensory, affective, communicative, musical, or other abilities.
• Communicate client assessment findings and recommendations in oral, written, audio, video, or other forms.
• Confer with professionals on client's treatment team to develop, coordinate, or integrate treatment plans.
• Design music therapy experiences to meet client's goals or objectives. Improvise instrumentally, vocally, or physically to meet client's therapeutic needs.
• Establish client goals or objectives for music therapy treatment, considering client needs, capabilities, interests, overall therapeutic program, coordination of treatment, or length of treatment.
• Gather diagnostic data from sources such as case documentation, observations of clients, or interviews of clients or family members.
• Conduct information sharing sessions, such as in-service workshops for other professionals, potential client groups, or the general community.
• Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to music therapy.
• Plan or structure music therapy sessions to achieve appropriate transitions, pacing, sequencing, energy level, or intensity in accordance with treatment plans.
• Play musical instruments, such as keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments. Compose, arrange, or adapt music for music therapy treatments.
• Provide music therapy experiences to address client needs, such as using music for self-care, adjusting to life changes, improving cognitive functioning, raising self-esteem, communicating, or controlling impulses.
• Select or adapt musical instruments, musical equipment, or non-musical materials, such as adaptive devices or visual aids, to meet treatment objectives.
• Write treatment plans case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients. Assess the risks and benefits of treatment termination for clients.
• Potential to supervise practicum students, or interns engaged in music therapy activities.
• Conduct or assist in the conduct of music therapy research.
• Identify and respond to emergency physical or mental health situations.
• Integrate behavioral, developmental, improvisational, medical, or neurological approaches into music therapy treatments.

What are the qualifications to be a PediPal Music Therapist

• Must be able to function independently in the home care setting while maintaining team collaboration.
• Must be able to provide music therapy assessment and interventions to children from a diverse background of ages, needs and abilities. 
• Must be knowledgeable about a wide variety of health care experiences that pediatric palliative care patients may encounter
• 1-2 years’ experience in areas like mental health, pediatrics, education, special needs, and/or social services. 
• Excellent communication, listening and observational skills
• A high level of musical ability and knowledge
• The ability to relate to people from all backgrounds
• The ability to handle sensitive and difficult issues
• Emotional strength and ability to cope with challenging situations
• Empathy and the ability to gain clients' trust
• The confidence to work with people on their own and in groups
• Qualifications include bachelor’s degree or higher in music therapy from a college or university program approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), Board Certified Music Therapist (CBMT), and computer proficiency. 
• Knowledge of special needs and behaviors of infants, children, and adolescents
• Ability to analyze behavior related to developmental stage and make sound judgements based on the needs of the patient.
• Valid driver’s license with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements and is in good working order. 

HopeHealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion  

HopeHealth is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workspace. We believe that attracting, developing and empowering exceptional people will allow us to continue to deliver the best care for our patients and families.  

All qualified individuals – inclusive of race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age and ability – are warmly welcome at HopeHealth.  

Discover a career that transforms lives – including yours. 

At HopeHealth, health care is more than a career choice. It’s a calling. 

You can see it in our incredible team, who are as compassionate as they are talented. You can see it in the trust that our patients and families place in us every day. 

And you can see it in our values – as a health care organization, and as an employer. At HopeHealth, we care deeply about every life we touch, including yours. We’re committed to giving employees the support they need to not only excel at their jobs, but to love what they do. 

Join us, and you’ll be part of a team that inspires you, a workplace that invests in you, and a mission that brings hope and dignity to patients and families every day. 

HopeHealth is a not-for-profit market leader in the areas of palliative and hospice care serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 

Our Hospice Care Team 

HopeHealth’s hospice care team provides comfort and support to patients who are in the advanced stages of serious illness or nearing the end of life.  

Join our team, and you’ll: 

• Help patients and families make every moment count. Hospice is a special calling. Your work will help patients live as comfortably and fully as possible, and provide meaningful support for everyone in the family. As part of our team, you’ll provide patients, and their loved ones, with a peaceful end-of-life setting.  
• Know that your expertise and unique perspective are valued. In our inclusive work culture, you’ll be free to work autonomously while feeling authentic support from your team. You’ll experience the mutual respect, collaboration and trust of a healthcare team that’s committed to going above and beyond for every patient – and for every member of the team. 
• Be part of a leading team. For over 40 years, HopeHealth Hospice has set the gold standard for end-of-life care. We’re the second-oldest hospice in the country, and one of the largest not-for-profit hospice providers in New England. We are committed to giving all of our employees the skills and support they need to deliver the best possible patient care.  

day/evening
10-16