MUSIC/ART THERAPIST

PIW is committed to improving the behavioral health care within our community by going beyond the traditional. We will continue to develop diverse and dynamic treatment programs and establish partnerships with others to understand and serve people where they live. Together we will build upon our strengths and human spirit to create a different future.

(Guiding Principles)

• We will deliver the highest quality behavioral health care services to the patients at PIW in a responsible, reliable, and cost-effective manner.
• We will be responsive, sensitive, and professional in all our relationships.
• We will be a leader in providing a continuum of behavioral health care services in the Washington area.
• We will practice good corporate stewardship within our community.
• We will pursue growth while being mindful of the economic realities necessitated by being an independent organization.
• We will treat all employees and staff of PIW fairly.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Expressive Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy, or Dance/Movement Therapy.
• Current board certification or registration for Music Therapy (MT-BC), Art Therapy (ATR), Dance/Movement Therapy (R-DMT), Recreational Therapist (RT) required. State licensure required, only if applicable in the District of Columbia.
• One year of professional experience in any of the Expressive Therapy modalities, preferable in an inpatient psychiatric setting.

BASIC FUNCTION:

Administratively and clinically responsible for providing group therapy for children, adolescents, and adults, ages 10-65+. Assume delegated responsibility as liaison to treatment teams. Must exhibit in-depth knowledge in clinical assessment and expressive therapy group facilitation for individual patient needs.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Knowledge of the principles and practices of mental health counseling and group therapy.

Knowledge of abnormal psychology and human development across the lifespan, and its impact upon physical, emotional, cognitive, personality, and behavioral development.

Ability to assess and evaluate psychosocial data to compile and complete assessments, treatment planning, and appropriate group facilitation.

Ability to perform individual, family, group, and crisis intervention techniques for children, adolescents, adults, and family members.

Ability to function as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team.

Ability to responsibly exercise independent judgment in assigned duties.

Effective verbal and written communication skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Plans and facilitates group therapy and individual assessments in accordance with the patient's treatment plan, program structures, and department philosophy.

Engages in and promotes consistent therapeutic boundaries as outlined in hospital policy and procedures and according to program structures.

Establishes and maintains an empathetic and therapeutic relationship with patients.

Completes routine paperwork within the prescribed time frames; i.e. AT assessments, clinical group progress notes.

Attends designated department and team meetings, and discipline-related trainings and conferences.

Contributes expressive therapy information and observations to interdisciplinary team members and physicians.

Maintains a safe environment for patients and staff. Demonstrates knowledge of safety issues and proper use of equipment and supplies. Follows the established policy and procedures for use of equipment and supplies. Reports the need for equipment service/repairs to the Clinical Coordinator or the program director/nurse coordinator.

Assists in ordering and maintaining the expressive therapy supplies/equipment.

Keeps abreast of current assessment and treatment modalities/strategies in expressive therapy. Attends scheduled supervisory sessions and in-services related to area of specialty. Participates in outside workshops and conferences as indicated.

Observes changes in patients' behavior and health condition and reports to RN.

Teaches and reinforces hospital's philosophy and regulations to patients and visitors.

Implements the hospital and unit policies regarding safety and security. Ensures appropriate procedures are followed in case of fire or fire drill, manages patient behavior and supervises groups closely to prevent injury and loss of control of patient and/or group.

Escorts patients to scheduled group activities off the unit in accordance with unit policy.

Utilizes effective communication skills both verbally and in writing. Ensures entries in medical records are legible and demonstrates correct usage of clinical and expressive arts language.

Utilizes supervision to develop appropriate self-awareness and professional growth; participates in supervision process by developing goals and taking action to reach identified goals; attends in-services offered to improve knowledge about patient care.

Performs other job-related duties as assigned.