Music Therapist - Full-Time in Downers Grove, Illinois at Lighthouse Hospice Care LLC

Lighthouse Hospice is driven to provide a professional hospice workplace where the employee is respected and valued. We recognize that creating a culture of trust, kindness, and appreciation is required to retain the best talent dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the people we serve. Our team members all have one special thing in common: we deeply care for each other as much as we care for our patients and families.

Each member of our team has been carefully chosen not only for their exceptional skill set, but also for their gifts of compassion and respect for others. We have found that hiring people for this reason, combined with creating an environment where each individual can showcase their strengths, enables our team to achieve their highest potential.

If you are searching for a great place to work, a place where you can make a real difference, and where you can learn and grow with some of the best talent in the area, then we would love to speak with you!

Job Title: Music Therapist
Reports To: Clinical Director

Job Summary:
The Music Therapist is responsible for providing individualized music therapy services to hospice patients to promote emotional, psychological, social, and physical well-being. Through therapeutic music interventions, the Music Therapist helps enhance quality of life, alleviate anxiety, pain, agitation, and stress, and provide comfort throughout the end-of-life process. The Music Therapist works collaboratively with patients, families, and the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) to develop individualized interventions consistent with each patient’s plan of care.

Job Qualifications:

Education and Certification: Graduate of an American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) approved undergraduate music therapy program or an approved Certification Equivalency Program. Current Board Certification (MT-BC) through the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), in good standing, with ongoing fulfillment of applicable continuing education requirements.

Experience: Experience providing music therapy in a healthcare, hospice, palliative care, home health, or similar clinical setting preferred.

Skills: Compassionate, patient, and empathetic approach to end-of-life care. Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively with members of the interdisciplinary team. Strong organizational skills and understanding of the hospice philosophy. Must read, write, and comprehend English.

Transportation: Reliable transportation. Valid and current auto liability insurance.

Environmental and Working Conditions:
Works in patients’ homes and healthcare facilities in various conditions; possible exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and infectious diseases; ability to work a flexible schedule; ability to travel locally; some exposure to unpleasant weather.

Essential Functions:

• In consultation with the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG), evaluates patients to determine appropriate music therapy interventions based on their needs, preferences, capabilities, goals, and physical tolerance.
• Provides individualized music therapy sessions utilizing appropriate therapeutic techniques to address patients’ emotional, psychosocial, social, spiritual, and physical comfort needs.
• Uses music therapy interventions to assist with symptoms and concerns such as anxiety, pain, agitation, stress, isolation, and emotional distress.
• Develops music therapy interventions in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team and integrates music therapy into the patient’s individualized plan of care.
• Observes, evaluates, documents, and reports patients’ responses to music therapy interventions and communicates significant changes in condition to the RN Case Manager and other appropriate team members.
• Maintains accurate and ongoing patient information within the medical record. Documentation must be complete, timely, and consistent with organizational and professional standards.
• Provides emotional support to patients and families through music and may assist with anticipatory grief and bereavement needs as appropriate.
• Conducts individual and group music therapy sessions as appropriate to encourage comfort, engagement, expression, and social interaction.
• Educates patients, families, caregivers, and interdisciplinary team members regarding the appropriate use of music to support comfort, relaxation, and the patient’s plan of care.
• May create recordings of patient-preferred music for comfort when the Music Therapist is not present or as a legacy gift for the patient’s family.
• May assist patients and families with music selections for funerals or memorial services and, when appropriate and requested, may provide music at such events.
• May fabricate or adapt instruments when appropriate to maximize the patient’s ability to participate in music therapy.
• Maintains ongoing effective communication with hospice personnel involved in patient care and participates in IDG meetings and other meetings as required.
• Participates in staff education and in-service programs to promote understanding of music therapy and its role in hospice care.
• May provide music during staff remembrance activities for deceased patients as appropriate.
• Participates in hospice personnel orientation programs as requested.
• Participates in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities as appropriate.
• Adheres to applicable ethical and professional standards established by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and maintains required professional certification.
• Assists patients, family members, caregivers, and other contacts in accordance with organizational performance standards and demonstrates Lighthouse Hospice Care values in all interactions.
• Participates in hospice and community education programs as appropriate to promote understanding of hospice philosophy and music therapy services.

Physical and Mental Effort:
Requires periods of standing, walking, sitting, bending, and carrying or transporting musical instruments and related equipment to patient locations. Requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to play and adapt musical instruments and engage patients in therapeutic activities. Must be able to work under occasional emotional stress associated with end-of-life care, adapt to changing patient and family needs, and respond appropriately to changes in patient condition or environment.

Benefits:
Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Employee Referral Program, Paid Holidays, PTO Accrual, Short-Term Disability, and 401(k).

Compensation:
$33.00–$40.00 per hour BOE, plus mileage reimbursement.

Statement of Understanding:
I have read the above job description and essential functions. I understand and agree to carry out these responsibilities as assigned. I will adhere to Lighthouse Hospice Care’s compliance with laws and regulations in a professional manner. I understand and acknowledge that nothing contained in this job description may be construed as limiting the employer’s right to discipline or terminate my employment at any time for failure to perform satisfactorily.