Musical Encounters

Pediatric Palliative Care Music Therapist

What will you do as a Pediatric Palliative Care Music Therapist

• 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 the client's treatment team to develop, coordinate, or integrate treatment plans.
• Design music therapy experiences to meet clients' 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 for 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 for 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 Pediatric Palliative Care Music Therapist

• Must be able to function independently in the home care setting while maintaining team collaboration.
• Must be able to provide music therapy assessments 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.

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