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Summary The North Florida/South Georgia VA Healthcare System is recruiting for a Music Creative Arts Therapist. The Creative Arts Therapist (Music). . The assignment will provide coverage of services throughout the Medical Center and coordinated off site locations in the acute care, outpatient, and extended care settings as needed. This position is located within North Florida/South Georgia's Veterans' health system which is a large level 1A highly affiliated facility.in Gainesville. Responsibilities This assignment carries responsibility for providing music therapy evaluation and treatment to Veteran patients according to the North Florida South Georgia VA healthcare system mission, pertinent national directives, and the physical medicine and rehabilitation guidelines. Music Therapists provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems and patient care needs. The music therapist will provide coverage of the services as assigned throughout the Medical Center and coordinated off site locations in the acute care, outpatient, and extended care settings as needed. This position is located within North Florida slash South Georgia's Veterans' health system which is a large level 1A highly affiliated facility. in Gainesville. Duties include, but are not limted to: Plans, develops, and implements comprehensive, routine treatment programs other patients or groups of patients. Performs assessments, evaluations and treatments in order to help prevent functional decline, promote physical, mental and psychosocial health and well-being. Provides patient care and support services to a population of veterans, young adult to geriatric, which is characterized by a significant number of older male patients. Applies evidence-based motivation techniques to develop and implement new approaches to treatment interventions. Exercises independent judgment, administers, and interprets music therapy assessments, and uses clinical knowledge to develop unconventional assessment and interview approaches to effectively elicit information. Recommends, develops new treatment groups and programs including Co treatment opportunities for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues including but not limited to traumatic brain injury to promote a variety of clinical outcomes. Participates in multidisciplinary ward clinic rounds as needed providing information on patient assessments and progress. Fosters an environment that values and respects individual differences. Helps resolve patient issues and complaints at the lowest level and refers unresolved grievances and complaints to appropriate resources maintains clinic areas, equipment, and supplies and a clean and organized manner. Maintains accountability for musical supplies and equipment checkouts to patients for therapeutic use. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Rotating Weekends and Holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:51068F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: (a) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, in music therapy, or in music with an emphasis in music therapy. The degree must be approved by the National Association for Schools of Music and/or the American Music Therapy Association. OR, (b) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a board certified music therapist (MT-BC) approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). Certification: Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-7: Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. Employees at this level serve in an entry level position as a creative arts therapist (music). They work under the direct supervision of a recreation or creative arts therapist, at or above the full-performance level, or a designated supervisor in a clinical environment. Employees have knowledge of their respective discipline, and work with guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff. Established treatment procedures are substantially adapted and applied for acutely ill patients. Employees at this level would not be assigned work at a community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC), unless supervision is on site. GS-9: Experience/Education. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level, OR a master's degree in creative arts therapy (music) may be substituted for the required one year of professional creative arts therapist (music) experience. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: Ability to perform a varied repertoire of popular, folk, and traditional songs appropriate for use in a clinical setting using at least two of the following: keyboard, voice, guitar, percussion or other musical instruments suitable to a clinical setting. Knowledge of the roles and meaning of music in various cultures and subcultures. Knowledge to design, develop, or adapt unique music therapy methods for assessment, treatment, or a palliation and evaluation procedures. Skill to apply objectivity and insight to respond and constructively to both positive and negative reactions while maintaining a safe environment for the patient and therapist. Assignment. Employees at this level serve in a developmental level position as a Creative Arts therapist (Music). They work under general supervision. Employees have an understanding of music therapy processes and procedures to provide patient care. They exercise judgment, administer and interpret music therapy assessments , and use clinical knowledge to develop assessment and interview approaches. They plan and organize music therapy interventions for persons diagnosed with chronic or life-threatening conditions, as well as their families and in collaboration with an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary team. Duties may include, that are not limited to the use of music listening, singing, playing, creating and improvising for the therapeutic or palliative treatment. They recommend new treatment groups and programs including co-treatment opportunities for treating patients with medical or mental health issues. GS-11: Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: Knowledge of the roles and meaning of music in various cultures and subcultures, how culture influences identity formation, concept of health and pathology, and understanding of the role of music therapy and how music therapy is practiced. Knowledge of current methods of music therapy assessment, treatment, and evaluation related to human growth and development, musical development , diagnostic classifications, etiology, symptomology and prognosis and formulating complex treatment plans, including the contraindications of music therapy for individuals and groups. Ability to design, develop, or adapt unique music therapy methods for assessment, treatment or palliation, and evaluation procedures for complex clinical cases, through a broad range of specialized music therapy services for various and emergent patient populations. Ability to use music therapy interventions to provide opportunities to work through treatment issues, including emotional disturbances, by establishing a safe environment for the patient to understand the symbolic expression of their musical product, process, and experience as it relates to recovery and Wellness. Ability to apply effective use of professional skill, objectivity, and insight to respond constructively to both positive and negative reactions , establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship with professional boundaries to reflect trusting, empathetic, and respectful interactions. Ability to apply current research literature and co-facilitate treatment with professionals from other disciplines, the uses of the creative arts therapies and recreational therapy, as well as understanding emerging models and trends in music therapy. Assignment. Employees at this level serve as creative arts therapists (music) at the full performance level. They have a full understanding of music therapy processes and procedures, and require only general supervision when providing direct patient care. They exercise independent judgment, administer and interpret music therapy assessments, and utilize clinical knowledge to develop unconventional assessment and interview approaches to effectively elicit information. They review pre-evaluation data in the medical record upon admission or through consult. They plan, organize, and implement developmentally and situationally appropriate and evidence based comprehensive music therapy interventions for persons diagnosed with chronic or life-threatening conditions, as well as their families, and in collaboration with any interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary team. These may include, but are not limited to music listening, singing, playing, creating, and improvising to understand musical behaviors as a means of self-expression, communication, and adaptive behavior; For new neurological or physical rehabilitation; Pain management; Increased independence; Exploring self-concept; Improving coping skills; Interpersonal relationships and social skills; And group cohesion. Preferred Experience: Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: This position requires moderate lifting (15-44 lbs.), light carrying (under 15 pounds), reaching above the shoulder, use of both hands and fingers, walking & standing (up to 3 hours/day), repeated bending (up to 2 hours), use of both legs, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, and emotional stability. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Applicants will be considered in the following order: 1. Facility Employees 2. Agency Employees 3. All other applicants During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.