Music Therapist PRN

About the role

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

• Day (United States of America)
• Location
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

General Summary

Develops, implements, and evaluates music therapy services and programs for patients and families of all ages within a pediatric medical setting. Provides music therapy services with a primary focus on delivering individualized, culturally responsive, social justice-oriented, and patient- and family-centered care. Implements knowledge of infant, child, and adolescent development in facilitation of evidence-based therapeutic music experiences through a strengths-based lens.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides evidence-based, individual- and family-centered music therapy sessions primarily at bedside; may provide unit-specific group sessions as appropriate. Medical music therapy support focuses on social, emotional, physical, and developmental health. Goals of clinical work may include relaxation and pain management, coping and emotional processing, developmental support, opportunities for choice and control, and end-of-life/bereavement support.
• Utilizes independent clinical decision making to manage caseload and provide clinical assessment, treatment, and planning. Demonstrates clear, effective, and timely communication in written and spoken form, including communication with referral sources. Completes documentation of clinical work and patient goals in the electronic medical record. Collaborates with medical and psychosocial care teams, including participation in interdisciplinary rounds and meetings pertaining to role.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates assigned unit-specific music therapy programming. Individually contributes to overall team initiatives, including data tracking, advocacy, heartbeat recording programming, interdisciplinary staff education, onboarding new team members, curating developmentally informed resources, and internship program development.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary psychosocial and medical team members to provide music therapy services in alignment with patient’s overall care plan. Educates staff on availability of music therapy services and advocates for equitable provision of care.
• Provides formal and informal supervision for music therapy students and interns, including orientation, training, caseload management, and ongoing feedback. Direct supervisors individualize the educational experience and provide consistent weekly clinical supervision and written evaluation for assigned students.
• Stays abreast of current research and practice. Participates in music therapy research and quality improvement projects as assigned, including collaboration with in-house and external research partners. Maintains active certification and participates in research-related trainings as required.
• Performs job functions adhering to the Lurie Children’s Service Principles and other job functions as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Requires completion of a bachelor’s or equivalency degree in music therapy from a program approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Completion of master’s degree in music therapy or other mental health field preferred.
• Requires MT-BC Credential (Board Certification through the Certification Board for Music Therapists) within 12 months of hire
• Basic Life Support Certification required; obtained within 6 months of hire
• Musically proficient in voice, guitar, piano, percussion, & basic recording technology
• Spanish language skills (preferred)
• 1-2 years professional music therapy experience (preferred)
• Additional certifications (preferred): NICU Music Therapy (NICU-MT); Rhythm, Breath, and Lullaby (RBL); Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT); Hospice and Palliative Care Music Therapy (HPMT); Guided Imagery in Music (GIM); Nordoff-Robbins (NRMT)

• Education
• Bachelor's Degree: Music Therapy (Required)

Pay Range $22.25-$36.38 Hourly

At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions.

In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits.

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Employer paid group term life and disability
• Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave
• 403(b) with a 5% employer match

Various voluntary benefits

• Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability
• Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Tuition assistance
• Student loan servicing and support
• Adoption benefits
• Backup Childcare and Eldercare
• Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
• Discount purchasing program

There’s a Place for You with Us

At Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and its affiliates (collectively “Lurie Children’s”), we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond.

We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.

AI Notice

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