Music Therapist Job Description

Transcription

1 Music Therapist Job Description TITLE: QUALIFICATIONS: REPORT TO: FUNCTION: Music Therapist Music Therapy Degree or Board Certification from the National Association of Music Therapy KCSEC Director, Assistant Director or KCSEC Administrator Provide developmentally appropriate music based interventions and experiences that promote the acquisition of skills needed to succeed in the classroom. Deliver program-wide music therapy services to students three through twenty-one. Facilitate group music therapy sessions in classrooms throughout Kendall County so that communication, motor, and sensory needs can be enhanced. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Planning and Preparation The Music Therapist understands the philosophical, theoretical, historical, and legal foundations of special education. The Music Therapist understands how students differ in their approaches to learning; creates social/emotional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners; understands planning; and designs therapy services based on knowledge of the discipline, student, community, and curriculum goals; of all students ages three through twenty-one. Demonstrates knowledge of current federal and state legislation, regulations, policies, litigation, and ethical issues related to the provision of educational services, including least restrictive environment, due process, assessment, discipline, transition, supplemental services and supports, specialized health care and assistive technology, to individuals with all types of disabilities across the age range. Provides leadership in reviewing and revision of practices to promote Music Therapy within educational programming. Demonstrates specialized skill and knowledge in the area of Music Therapy, maintaining extensive knowledge of principals, theories, methods of practice, with application within the educational setting; holding necessary certificate or license. Implements therapy that is highly appropriate to the situation to the school, the age of the students, and the disabilities/abilities of students; formulated through consultation and collaboration with administrators, teachers and school personnel.

2 Maintains extensive knowledge of resources for students available through the school, District, or larger community. Resources/strategies are communicated and shared with families to be generalized across settings. Creation of a plan that is highly coherent and preventative; serves to support students individually within the broader educational programming. Outcome based evaluation plan is highly sophisticated, with imaginative sources of evidence and a clear path toward improving the program on an ongoing basis. 2. Learning Environment The Music Therapist uses an understanding of individual, group motivation and behavior to create a therapy environment that encourages positive social interaction, respect and rapport. This environment creates a positive culture with active engagement in learning and selfmotivation while managing classroom procedures and student behavior. Demonstrates the ability to establish and maintain trusting relationships with students and families supporting the establishment of high learning expectations and personal achievement. Atmosphere built upon comfort and trust; where students proactively seek out therapist. Establishes standards of conduct by effectively implementing classroom and individual behavioral management plans and is able to monitor students in a subtle and preventative manner; engaging students in self monitoring and recommends music strategies for behavioral management. Establishes clear and consistent time management procedures, accomplishing all tasks within a seamless manner; schedule of therapy sessions is well communicated and shared with students and teachers within the educational setting. Physical space for therapy services and assessment is highly organized and inviting; respecting aspects of organization, schedules, routines and transitions that promote development and learning. Ways in which technology can assist with creating and managing the learning environment, incorporating the verbal and visual redirection and classroom expectations; consultation/collaboration with Assistive Technology Specialists. 3. Delivery of Service and Practices

3 The Music Therapist understands the central concepts and methods of inquiry; uses a variety of assessment strategies to develop and encourage students' development of motor, sensory, academic, behavioral, and social-emotional performance skills to support the continuous development of all students ages three through twenty-one. Implements a variety of music therapy interventions, strategies and techniques. Adheres to the Standards of Practice as proposed by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) Effective researched supported strategies; for basic sequences of skills in the field of Music Therapy; developing comprehensive plans for students; finding ways to creatively meet student needs and incorporate many related elements. Chooses and implements instructional techniques and strategies that promote successful transitions for individuals with disabilities. Creates varied opportunities for all students to use effective written, verbal, nonverbal and visual communication. Proactively secures the necessary permissions and communicates to parents in a highly responsive manner; including those associated with individuals from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds. Proactively collects important information on which to base instructional plans; inclusive of, but not limited to interviewing teachers/parents/guardians/students, conducting file review if necessary. Continually seeks ways to improve the treatment program and make changes as needed in response to student, parent, guardian, or teacher input. Effectively utilizes Response to Intervention (RtI) ideals and supports students utilizing appropriate progress monitoring tools to gauge student achievement individually; understanding these assessment procedures are an on-going process and efficient data collection and analysis will identify student needs. Understands and effectively utilizes computerized web-based systems for documentation procedures/communication, goal creation and modification, progress monitoring, performance assessment, accommodations/modifications, program supports, documentation of service minutes and overall IEP information. 4. Collaborative Relationships The Music Therapist understands his or her role as a professional, establishing high standards of reciprocal collaborative relationships with students, families, community and educational personnel, and provides continual leadership in development of relationship building. The Music Therapist understands self reflection, the importance of active participation in problem solving teams; importance of the development of programs or systems of care that support and enhance the health, social and emotional well-being, and safety of students.

4 Continually assesses and takes leadership role in communicating to problem solving with staff to best meet the needs of students. Actively supporting the development and maintenance of positive, productive relationships with colleagues. Maintains appropriate documentation of family/teacher communications; displaying high priority of communication between home and school; as well as cooperating teachers and educational personnel within the building. Consults and collaborates with other school personnel to confer regarding cases, soliciting their perspective on individual students or classrooms. Provides leadership to support students in establishing collaborative relationships with peers, adults and development of advocating for self as to the functional skills/needs students have within the educational setting and generalization to the community. 5. Professional Conduct, Leadership, and Professional Growth The Music Therapist understands his or her role as a professional, maintains standards of professional conduct, and provides leadership to improve students learning and well-being. The Music Therapist understands self reflection, the importance of efficient data collection and manipulation; constantly pursuing professional development opportunities and researched based supports in communication abilities. Provides frequent and appropriate information to families about the methods utilized within therapy sessions and conveys information about individual student progress in a culturally sensitive manner. Maintains highly effective data management system for monitoring student progress, consistently reflecting upon the best practice and refining services to meet needs of individual students. Resources, strategies, networks, organizations, and unique services that work with individuals with disabilities and their families including career, vocational, and transition support, including possible funding agencies and financial sources for secondary aged students (local, state, and federal). Consistently demonstrates high professional judgment and advocates/models for others within the educational setting and community. Understands the scope of his or her practice and seeks additional resources and assistance as needed to meet the individualized needs of students; seeks out professional development strategies to stay current on researched based instructional strategies, services and professional growth.

5 Demonstrates superior preparation and participation for meetings/activities; displaying strong capabilities in presentation of information both verbally and in writing; creating superior written reports reflective of student progress. Knowledgeable of rights to privacy, confidentiality, and respect for differences among all persons interacting with individuals with disabilities. Providing leadership to others in maintaining ethical standards of the Code of Ethics as set forth by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) Observes and follows all KCSEC policies and procedures; maintains high levels of professionalism and commitment through punctuality and attendance. Other duties as assigned by the KCSEC administration.