Expressive Therapist - Brooklyn

St. Mary's Healthcare System for Children; Uniondale (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's healthcare provider in Uniondale, NY is looking for an Expressive Therapist to deliver Expressive Therapy to patients and families under the Home and Community Based Services Waiver. The role involves utilizing music, art, and play therapies to help patients express their feelings, education on expressive therapies, and creating therapeutic plans. Ideal candidates will have relevant degrees and experience, particularly with medically fragile children. This full-time position offers a supportive environment focused on compassion and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of working with the medically fragile population.
• At least 1 year of clinical experience with a pediatric population, preferably involving end of life care.

Responsibilities

• Provide Expressive Therapy to patients and families under HCBS.
• Help patients express their feelings through creative modalities.
• Maintain accurate documentation and assessment.

Skills

Music therapy

Art therapy

Play therapy

Communication skills

Empathy

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Child Psychology

Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Creative Arts Therapy

Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized Music Therapy program

Master’s Degree in Play Therapy

Job description

Expressive Therapist – Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver

While providing home visits, the Expressive Therapist provides Expressive Therapy to patients and families under the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver. The Expressive Therapist works to help patients and families feel empowered in their own creativity and to aid in communication of their feelings, particularly with regard to stress and symptoms of serious illness and/or life‑threatening conditions. The Expressive Therapist also functions as an additional resource to the palliative team and home care staff through consultation and educational offerings.

Job Duties / Responsibilities

• Uses music, art, and/or play therapies as a creative process resulting in exploration of patient’s feelings, reconciling emotional conflicts, fostering self‑awareness and making memories
• Helps children better understand and express their reactions through expressive modalities
• Educates patient and family members about expressive therapies including the benefits, purpose and ways to incorporate these benefits into daily life
• Encourages/assists patient/family in creating tangible mementos (such as artwork, musical creations etc.) as appropriate
• Maintains a caseload and ensures accurate and timely individualized assessment, planning, implementation and documentation
• Uses evidence‑based treatments/modalities to address patient’s needs and preferences
• Acts professionally and is legally accountable for all aspects of work
• Develops an Expressive Therapy plan of care in conjunction with patient and family
• Demonstrates an understanding of illness and the potential complications and side effects of treatments
• Monitors and reviews the effectiveness of the therapy given and modifies it as necessary to support patient’s treatment plan of care
• Discusses patient suitability to receive expressive therapy treatment with the referring professional and the Home Care Palliative Care Program Manager, if necessary
• Refers patients to other members of the multi‑disciplinary team, as appropriate
• Participates in interdisciplinary case conferences and acts as a clinical resource for the team when needed
• Communicates promptly within the multidisciplinary team as issues arise for patients, whilst being mindful of confidentiality issues
• Acts as the patient’s advocate in relation to Expressive Therapy
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Formal education required:

• Child Life Specialist with Bachelor’s Degree in Child Psychology or a related field and certification through the Child Life Council
• Creative Arts Therapist with a Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Creative Arts Therapy and licensed by the State of New York
• Music Therapist with a Bachelor’s Degree from a program recognized by the NYS Education Department
• Play Therapist with a Master’s Degree from a program recognized by the New York State Education Department and a current Play Therapist Registration conferred by the Association for Play Therapy

Previous Experience

• Minimum 3 years of working with the medically fragile population
• At least 1 year of clinical experience with a pediatric population, preferably involving end of life care

Summary

St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children is committed to nurturing a compassionate environment that welcomes all children, young adults, families, and staff; built on the belief that what makes us different makes us stronger, and provides unity throughout our community.

St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V/SO.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Health Care Provider

Industry

Hospitals and Health Care