Creative Arts Therapist (Psychiatric Inpatient and Emergency) | CUIMC Campus | Full-Time | Tues - Sat | Day Flex Shift

About the role

NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, part of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, seeks a Creative Arts Therapist to provide therapeutic interventions to patients in a psychiatric inpatient and emergency setting.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients' psychosocial, emotional, developmental, and therapeutic needs using creative arts therapy principles and interventions.
• Develop and implement individualized and group creative arts therapy treatment plans in collaboration with patients and the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Utilize creative arts therapy interventions to assist patients in coping with hospitalization, anxiety, emotional distress, and other behavioral health challenges.
• Facilitate therapeutic programming that promotes adaptive coping, emotional expression, socialization, sensory awareness, and overall well-being.
• Communicate patient observations, assessments, and treatment progress to the interdisciplinary healthcare team and advocate for patients' psychosocial and emotional needs.
• Provide education to patients, families, staff, and the community regarding the therapeutic benefits of creative arts interventions.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the medical record and departmental reporting systems.
• Participate in program development, educational initiatives, quality improvement activities, and ongoing enhancement of creative arts therapy services.

Requirements

• Master's Degree in Creative Arts Therapy or a related field.
• Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) through the New York State Office of Professions.
• Registration as a Music Therapist – Board Certified (MT-BC) or Art Therapy Registration (ATR) or Certified Dance Therapist or Certified Drama Therapist.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.
• Completion of a clinical internship in a Creative Arts Therapy discipline.
• Proficient in modalities pertaining to specific Creative Arts Therapy discipline (ex. Guitar, various art mediums etc.).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively engage patients, families, and interdisciplinary staff.

Preferred Criteria

• One to three years of Creative Arts Therapy experience.
• Experience utilizing visual arts interventions to support emotional regulation, coping, self-expression, and recovery in patients experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms.
• Experience facilitating therapeutic art groups and individual art-based interventions in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• Experience providing therapeutic interventions in inpatient psychiatry, behavioral health, psychiatric emergency services, crisis stabilization, or other acute mental health settings.
• Experience utilizing trauma-informed care principles when supporting individuals experiencing mental health crises, emotional distress, or hospitalization.
• Crisis intervention skills and the ability to effectively engage and support patients in acute psychiatric or emergency care environments.
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Previous professional experience working with children/families in a hospital setting.
• Advanced knowledge of human growth and development.
• Doctoral degree (PhD) in a related field.

Benefits

The position offers a competitive salary range of $40.40-$46.55 per hour, along with comprehensive benefits including recognition for experience, education, and licensure. Employees also enjoy opportunities for personal and professional growth in a dynamic, mission-driven academic medical center.