Community Based Music Therapist Job at Lawrence Hall in Chicago

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Reports to the Manager of Creative Therapies. Plans, organizes and directs Music Therapy activities as part of mental and physical health care treatment of youth within our programs to include residential treatment, foster care, transitional living, therapeutic school and workforce development and community wellness. Effectively utilizes verbal and written communication skills. Provides supervision and guidance to Music Therapy Interns through the National Roster Internship Program in conjunction with the Director of the Music Therapy Internship Program. Lawrence Hall fosters a culture built upon four core values: Respect, Empowerment, Safety, and Teamwork. These values are deeply embedded within our organization's philosophy of trauma-informed care and directly influence every position. Must be able to effectively use both verbal and physical intervention skills with individuals six (6) through twenty-one (24) years of age. Physical intervention skills require the ability to kneel and return to standing without assistance. Requires flexibility to adjust work schedule according to the needs of the program.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Completes individual assessment of youth within 5 days of admission utilizing established departmental assessment procedures
• Maintains involvement in departmental planning from a comprehensive as well as specific program planning perspective, participating in needs assessments, team meetings and department meetings
• Implements specific programs, special events and other activities as generally designed in specific program description
• Evaluates specific programs as established by departmental procedure
• Completes formal documentation as established by departmental procedure
• Requires knowledge of typical child and adolescent development and an understanding of trauma exposure and traumatic stress signs and symptoms.
• Practice will include using strategies that support healing, recovery, and that resist re-traumatization
• Engage caregivers, parents, family members and others by sharing strengths and challenges experienced by program participants
• Maintains membership in professional organizations and keeps current credentials in appropriate/relevant discipline and maintains professional organizational involvement
• Establishes and maintains professional relationships with youth and responds to problem behaviors with methods established by departmental and agency policies
• Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect
• Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences
• Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment
• Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve month period
• Willingness to serve as Supervising Music Therapist for National Roster Internship when eligible
• Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery
• Participates in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Use of abdominal and lower back muscles continuously over time to support others
• Ability to pass TCI (with restraints) certification and physically restrain youth when necessary
• Ability to stand from kneeling position without assistance

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy
• Eligible for MT-BC and credentialed within 60 days of hire
• Maintains membership with the American Music Therapy Association
• Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferred
• Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, positive youth development/strength based approach preferred
• Personal vehicle or access to vehicle and proof of insurance
• Valid IL, IN or WI Driver's license
• No history of child abuse or neglect
• Ability to pass background and drug screen

This position meets the FLSA requirements for Exempt.

Job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V