Music Therapist - Senior Living

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial and ongoing music therapy assessments for new and current residents.
• Identify therapeutic goals related to cognition, mood, mobility, pain management, and socialization.
• Collaborate with nursing, social services, and therapy teams to integrate music therapy into individualized care plans.
• Design and facilitate regularly scheduled group music therapy sessions across all care levels.
• Provide one-on-one sessions for residents with complex needs, end-of-life care, or acute behavioral symptoms.
• Adapt session format, repertoire, and techniques to residents' functional abilities and preferences.
• Implement evidence-based music interventions — including neurologic music therapy (NMT) techniques — to address behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
• Use music to support orientation, reminiscence, agitation reduction, and preserved long-term memory in residents with Alzheimer's and related conditions.
• Partner with physical, occupational, and speech therapy teams to use music as a therapeutic modality for gait training, fine motor coordination, respiratory function, and speech/language goals.
• Support post-stroke and Parkinson's residents using rhythmic auditory stimulation and vocal exercises.
• Maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation of assessments, session notes, progress notes, and goal updates in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Ensure documentation meets federal, state, and accreditation standards, including MDS/RAI requirements where applicable.
• Participate in care conferences and family meetings.
• Provide comfort-focused music therapy for residents receiving hospice or palliative care.
• Support residents and families through end-of-life transitions using music to reduce anxiety, facilitate legacy work, and provide emotional comfort.
• Coordinate with hospice partners and chaplaincy as part of the palliative care team.
• Train care staff on the therapeutic uses of music in daily routines — including music for bathing, dressing, and sundowning management.
• Educate families on how to use personalized music playlists at the bedside.
• Serve as a resource for the community on the evidence-based applications of music therapy.
• Contribute to the community's life enrichment calendar by developing themed music programs, concerts, intergenerational events, and seasonal performances.
• Clock with volunteers and local musicians.
• Support department goals around engagement, census, and quality of life.
• Works alongside the Lifestyle Director in creating the monthly Calendar.
• Responsible for sharing ideas, resources, and member interests to assist in the development of the Individual Wellness Program for all levels of care.
• Work with other members of the management team to market and manage the community.
• Perform all other duties assigned by management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Music Therapy from an AMTA-approved program
• Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) credential via CBMT
• Clinical experience with older adults or in a healthcare setting
• Proficiency on at least one primary instrument (guitar, piano preferred)
• PREFERRED: Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) certification
• PREFERRED: Experience in memory care programming or with senior adults
• Ability to work with minimal or close supervision
• Must be physically able to respond to medical emergencies in all areas of the community and be able to assist with resident evacuations
• Affinity toward senior adults
• Organization and customer service skills
• Great communication skills (written and verbal)
• Must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively with residents, families, guests, and other associates in English