Title: Music Therapist

State Role Title: Therapy Assistant/Therapist I

Hiring Range: $ 60,951- $68,000 commensurate with experience

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Southeastern VA Training Ctr

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/sevtc/employment

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Passionate about helping others? Start a rewarding career at Southeastern Virginia Training Center!

Southeastern Virginia Training Center is currently hiring a Music Therapist to support our mission of providing compassionate, person-centered care to adults with intellectual disabilities. In this role, you will work closely with the Recreational Therapy Team and clinical services to deliver individualized therapeutic interventions that enhance the quality of life, emotional well-being, communication, and social engagement of the individuals we serve.

About Us

At Southeastern Virginia Training Center (SEVTC) we serve citizens diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are an intermediate care facility operated by the Department of Behavioral health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) where we support individuals in state-of-the-art homes with accommodations unique to their specific needs. At SEVTC, we take pride in providing our individuals with a person-centered approach, fostering their independence, and ensuring their life is fully realized to their potential. Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we take time to invest in their health, wellness, and happiness.

About the Role

• Plan and implement music therapy services for individuals with intellectual disabilities that are appropriate and meet the individual’s assessed needs.
• Ensure that the individuals’ music therapy interventions are integrated with the plans established by the treatment teams and are carried over to the individuals’ active treatment program.
• Evaluates newly admitted residents within 30 days of admission.
• Writes SEVTC Annual, comprehensive, and 30-day evaluations.
• Completes a quarterly summary for each individual receiving Music Therapy services as indicated in their ISP.
• Documents progress of Music Therapy program in accordance with departmental policies.
• Make available a wide variety of music experiences.
• Create and facilitate performance opportunities for individuals as appropriate.
• Consistently conducts Music Therapy session as indicated for Music skills while incorporating fine/gross motor and social skills.
• Ensure that proper equipment, maintenance and accountability is completed.
• Maintain classroom and assign storage and group areas in a neat, clean and organized manner to ensure a safe and secure environment for individuals and staff. • Tune, clean, and maintain all musical instruments.
• Attends in-service training and PST meetings.
• Works closely with other team members to integrate therapy recommendations in all settings.
• Establishes and maintains professional rapport with PST team.
• Maintains continuing education requirements regarding departmental and facility standards by attending on-campus workshops/training and using the Virginia Learning Center.

This position is considered essential personnel and would be required to work in the event of an emergency or facility need. All SEVTC positions are required to work different shifts and/or overtime as requested.

All new hires must successfully complete the facility’s pre-service training program for Direct Support Professional Staff, to include Person Centered Approach techniques, CPR/First Aid Certification, TOVA, medication administration, nutritional management and physical/behavioral management, for continued employment. Training in behavior management and crisis intervention is available. (Preservice training class is 10 days long 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Shift/hours:

• Monday through Friday
• 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• One weekend per month required
• Evening hours as scheduled for special programs, activities, or events

Skills and experience required:

We seek a candidate with experience working in a direct care setting with individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and/or substance use disorders. We also seek the following:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of music therapy.
• Ability to collaborate with peers’ therapists’ interdisciplinary treatment teams and promote a positive therapeutic environment.
• Ability to develop plan organize and implement music therapy programs designed to promote the skills efforts social and work behaviors of the intellectually/ physically disabled in preparation for community living.
• Knowledge of community opportunities for leisure experiences
• knowledge of medical psychological and pharmaceutical issues related to care and programming. Skills required teaching activities such as singing, playing musical instruments and exploring new musical outlets.
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to assess plan implement evaluate, and document related to programs for individuals referred to groups.
• Ability to organize work responsibilities and manage time effectively.
• Bachelor's degree in music therapy or closely related feel required.
• Must be able to complete CPR and first aid certification and thorough certification during new employee orientation must maintain certification throughout employment.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Bonus points if you have:

• Licensed music therapist governed by the board of social work preferred prior work experience providing music therapy for individuals with ID/DD.
• Experience and evaluating establishing treatment intervention and assessing effectiveness of treatment interventions.
• Work/ internship experience working with various types of intellectual mental and physical disorders.

What we offer:

We offer an array of benefits to help you take care of you and your family:

• Health, vision and dental; multiple plan choices!
• Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• 13 paid holidays.
• Paid time off to include sick leave, family personal leave, annual leave, parental leave and more!
• Life and long-term care insurance.
• Retirement and savings to include - membership in the Virginia Retirement System (401(a) defined benefit plan) and the commonwealth’s deferred compensation plan.
• Short-term and long-term disability benefits.
• Employee assistance program, wellness, employee discounts and so much more!

  Person Centered. Community Based.

SEVTC’s mission is to provide quality, person-centered services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in partnership with a community-based system of support.

We envision SEVTC as a center of excellence providing specialized support that enable successful community living for individuals with intellectual, developmental and behavioral challenges across the state of Virginia.

Our values reflect an environment where: individuals lead self-determined lives that focus on empowerment, dignity and respect, employees are valued and appreciated as out most import asset, individuals and employees live, work and play in an environment that is safe and free from harm, collaboration with DBHDS, community partners, and family members is welcomed and fostered, and resources are utilized in a thoughtful and efficient manner.

SEVTC’s mission is to provide quality, person-centered services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in partnership with a community-based system of support.

We envision SEVTC as a center of excellence providing specialized support that enable successful community living for individuals with intellectual, developmental and behavioral challenges across the state of Virginia.

Our values reflect an environment where: individuals lead self-determined lives that focus on empowerment, dignity and respect, employees are valued and appreciated as out most import asset, individuals and employees live, work and play in an environment that is safe and free from harm, collaboration with DBHDS, community partners, and family members is welcomed and fostered, and resources are utilized in a thoughtful and efficient manner.

 Special Instructions

You will be provided with confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you detail all relevant work experience clearly and specifically; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications. You will receive confirmation of receipt once your application and/or résumé has been successfully submitted. To check the status of your application, refer to “Your Application” in your account.

Applications/résumés will begin to be reviewed within five (5) days of the posting date.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers' individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at sarita.jordan@dbhds.virginia.gov during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We highly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply and respond accordingly on the state application.

 Contact Information

Name: Sarita Jordan

Phone: (757) 424-8545

Email: sarita.jordan@dbhds.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.