Job Description

Job Summary

Music Therapist

The Music Therapist will offer clinical evidence-based music therapy interventions including assessment, treatment plan evidenced -based treatment, and ongoing evaluation documentation for each resident designed to address physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and psychosocial needs.



Recreational Therapist

The Recreational Therapist will perform skilled therapeutic rehabilitation treatment for geriatric, acute, and sub-acute behavioral health units beginning with assessment of the emotional, social, physical, spiritual, and cognitive strengths and needs of the patients. This position will provide trauma informed care and utilize innovative, evidence-based, recreational therapy interventions to address patient needs. Potential goals to be documented in individual recovery plans may include, but are not limited to, coping skills to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, psychosis, mania, stress, physical illness, or grief, and improved insight, memory, cognition, and mood. The Recreational Therapist will develop, implement, and evaluate programs and activities assigned. They may also be requested to assist in the supervision of interns, activity therapy technicians, and develop in-service training programs for the department. Other duties as assigned may include serving in a supporting role to meet facility needs such as direct care in time of critical staffing shortages and disaster response and/or recovery. The Recreational Therapist works a rotating holiday schedule and may be required to work alternate shift patterns (weekends), locations, or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy. This position will adhere to the mission, vision, and values of UT Health North Campus.



Major Responsibilities/Duties/Critical Tasks

Music Therapist

Direct music therapy sessions to improve patient’s physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and psychosocial needs.
Serve residents by assessing their strengths and needs and offering appropriate music or recreation therapy interventions to address individual goals and objectives.
Provide music therapy at the bedside when requested by the care team and provides group music therapy and/or individual sessions in an appropriate designated area. These sessions include singing, use of art, poetry, playing instruments, or learning to play instruments, songwriting, lyric discussion, movement, and or dance, music induced relaxation techniques, and the use of familiar music that evokes reminiscence and discussion, to promote increased coping skills, stress management skills, and decreased depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms. Music experiences using specific protocols to improve neurological functioning such as speech, movement, attention, divided attention, improvement of executive functioning, strengthening muscles for swallowing and eating, and respiratory functioning, improving mood, memory, and cognitive functioning, and decreasing behaviors such as agitation, aggression, impulsive intrusive behaviors, and psychotic symptoms will also be provided by the music therapist according to individual needs.
Respond to referrals in a timely manner, setting appropriate priorities regarding referrals.
Confer with members of the treatment team to plan and evaluate patient goals and desired outcomes.
Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality of information and records.
Accurately complete all required paperwork in a timely manner.
Attend all mandatory department meetings and required education /training programs.
Know responsibilities related to general safety, regulatory compliance, and job-related hazards.
Follow all administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
Maintain a professional appearance and attitude.
Be able to adapt to and overcome frequently changing conditions and circumstances to ensure patient needs are successfully met.
Be able to shift clock-in/clock-out times several hours either direction as needed on occasional basis.
Assist Recreational Therapist/Therapeutic Activities Supervisor with programming assessment and interest inventory.
Record information on progress notes and other required forms and communication with other staff regarding patients.
Complete Annual Mandatory Training, SAMA training, TB testing, and required licensure and certifications before expiration date.
May be asked to work outside of normally scheduled hours.
Complete other duties as assigned.


Recreational Therapist

Collaborate with and provide consultation services to nursing staff/medical staff and/or activity therapy technicians to provide and maintain a wide variety of all-inclusive programming for healthy leisure actives and choices.
Conduct group or individual therapy and implement sessions with good theoretical knowledge of Recreational Therapy techniques.
Develop and implement daily recreational therapy groups and provide treatment descriptions and session plans for treatment provided.
Evaluate programming for individual as well as group effectiveness.
Perform assessments of new patients within 72 hours.
Demonstrate proficiency with recovery planning and documentation of progress notes, assessments and care plans required to be documented in the EMR on the day of service.
Provide effective treatment for all populations according to psychosocial stages of development and provide proficient treatment for mental and physical illness, dementia, and aging life.
Host and supervise an internship program, meeting requirements for hours and education as determined by interns’ university and credentialing body.
Provide skilled de-escalation and crisis intervention and show support and compassion for individuals with mental illness and/or substance abuse.
Contribute to goal-oriented recovery planning through recovery team attendance and regular communication.
Collaborate with the recovery team and implement short- and long-term goals and updates to the recovery plan.
Establish and maintain professional competencies through participation in Continuing Education relevant to their credentialed discipline
Participate in performance improvement activities that include revision of departmental policies and procedures, identifying patient and program needs, developing and implementing outcome measures, monitoring and improving the environment of care, and revising programs to meet standards of care and accreditation standards for The Joint Commission (TJC) and Medicare/Medicaid
Organize and maintain an inventory of materials and supplies.
Work cooperatively with team members and follow all policies and procedures.
Assists with programming coverage, often with little to no advanced knowledge.
Serve on committees, attend trainings and in services required by the facility.
Identify and reduce unsafe practices that could cause harm to patients.
Support and promote system wide activities related to adequate hand hygiene and the prevention of healthcare associated infections.
Responsible for acquiring working knowledge of and maintaining ongoing understating or required practices, procedures, and processes to meet and exceed regulatory compliance standards.
Other duties as assigned.

Required Education/Experience

Music Therapist

Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy, and Current Board Certified Music Therapist
SAMA training
First Aid/CPR certification


Recreational Therapist

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy from an accredited college or university program
Appropriate certification and/or licensure as required by law (If not certified and/or licensed upon hire, the applicant is required to obtain within 30 days of hire)
Certification and/or Licensure must be maintained for duration of employment
Current Certification in American Red Cross CPR for Healthcare Providers
Valid Texas Driver’s License
Current SAMA facilitator certification


Preferred Education/Experience

Recreational Therapist

Two (2) years of experience in an inpatient Psychiatric Hospital setting.


Accompanying Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

Music Therapist

Basic computer literacy.
Experience with patients with mental illness.
Experience providing music therapy interventions in a healthcare setting
Skilled musician.
Ability to deal with complex situations and resolve patient and/or customer service concerns.
Ability to give clear, concise and complete education and/or instructions.
Works well in a patient centered environment as an integral team player.
Ability to adjust communication style to suit different audiences.
Empathetic, upbeat, optimistic, articulate, gracious and tactful.
Active listening skills, and ability to calm upset patients in a composed and professional demeanor


Recreational Therapist

Knowledge of the principles and techniques of therapy with various patient populations
Knowledge of discipline specific therapeutic modalities in the recovery process
Knowledge of implementation and documentation of individualized care and recovery plans Knowledge of health, safety, and infection control
Knowledge of performance and quality improvement activities or techniques
Skills in the use of rehabilitation and orthopedic equipment, materials, and tools
Skills in evaluation, treatment planning, and documentation of patient progress
Skills in the operation of computers and applicable computer software
Skills in effective communication
Ability to plan, develop, implement, and facilitate recovery focused and trauma informed therapy
Ability to motivate and sustain individuals’ interest in therapeutic activities and make changes, as needed
Ability to observe, evaluate, communicate, and document individual progress
Ability to be consistent and empathetic in working with patients
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to complete the State of Texas Driver Safety Course
Ability to adapt to and successfully manage sudden changes in group milieu and/or individual patient behavior, including but not limited to aggression.
Ability to adapt to unique needs of individuals served, including but not limited to hearing impairments, visual impairments, physical impairments, and non-English speaking persons.