Licensed Music Therapist

Socket.dev; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 58,500 - 71,500; Full time

Job summary

Arc Hospice & Palliative Care seeks a qualified Music Therapist to provide individualized services across home, facility, and inpatient settings. The role enhances emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial well-being through music-based interventions aligned with the interdisciplinary plan of care.

Responsibilities include assessments, live/recorded sessions, bereavement support, and documentation in EMR. Travel to patient locations is involved; MT-BC certification and at least 1–2 years in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from an accredited program required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Board certification as MT-BC required; license where applicable.
• 1–2 years experience in hospice/palliative care preferred.
• Proficient with voice and at least one instrument (guitar or keyboard).

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to plan, deliver, and evaluate music therapy interventions.
• Conducts assessments to determine appropriate interventions for symptom management, emotional support, and legacy work.
• Provides live and/or recorded music experiences tailored to patient condition and preferences.
• Supports grieving process through therapeutic music experiences and bereavement activities.
• Maintains documentation of visits in the EMR per hospice policies and standards.
• Participates in team meetings and contributes to the plan of care.
• Offers staff education on music in hospice care and integration into care.
• Maintains inventory and sanitization of instruments and equipment.
• Provides supervision and mentorship of music therapy interns per AMTA/CBMT guidelines.

Skills

Music therapy

MT-BC certification

Empathy

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy

Master's degree

Tools

Guitar

Keyboard

Job description

At Arc Hospice & Palliative Care, we are united by a mission to bring comfort, dignity, and compassionate support to every patient and family we serve. Join a team where your work has purpose, and your growth is supported.

Job Description Summary

The Hospice Music Therapist provides individualized music therapy services to hospice patients and their families across home, facility, and inpatient settings. This role supports patients’ emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial well‑being through music‑based interventions that align with the interdisciplinary plan of care. The Music Therapist plays a vital role in enhancing quality of life, offering comfort, promoting reminiscence, and honoring individual values and preferences throughout the end of life. Bilingual in Spanish or Creole is a plus

Key Responsibilities

Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to assess, plan, deliver, and evaluate music therapy interventions aligned with patient and family needs, goals, and cultural/spiritual values.

Conducts music therapy assessments to determine appropriate interventions for symptom management, emotional support, legacy work, or life review.

Provides live and/or recorded music experiences tailored to the patient’s condition, preferences, and functional ability.

Supports the grieving process for patients and families through therapeutic music experiences, including anticipatory grief, immediate post‑death care, and bereavement. May participate in memorial services or remembrance events as part of the interdisciplinary bereavement support team.

Maintains documentation of all clinical visits in the electronic medical record, in accordance with hospice policies and regulatory standards.

Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings and contributes to the development of the plan of care.

Offers consultation and education to staff and caregivers on the role of music in hospice care and how to integrate supportive techniques.

Maintains an appropriate inventory of instruments, sound equipment, and supplies, ensuring sanitization between use and transportation in accordance with infection control standards.

Provides in‑service training or community education as requested to raise awareness of music therapy’s role in hospice care.

Provides supervision, mentorship, and evaluation of music therapy interns in accordance with AMTA and CBMT guidelines, ensuring alignment with Arc Hospice & Palliative Care policies and clinical standards.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from an accredited program required; Master’s degree preferred.

Must hold or obtain board certification as a Music Therapist–Board Certified (MT-BC) by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). In states where licensure is required (currently GA, NJ, NV, ND, OR, RI, and UT), a valid state license must be obtained and maintained as a condition of employment. In all other states, MT‑BC certification must be obtained within six (6) months of hire and maintained throughout employment.

Minimum of 1–2 years of experience providing music therapy, preferably in hospice, palliative care, geriatrics, or a healthcare setting.

Proficient with voice and at least one accompanying instrument (e.g., guitar, keyboard).

Ability to work independently in home and facility settings with reliable transportation and valid driver’s license.

Demonstrated empathy, sensitivity, and ability to support patients and families from diverse backgrounds.

Demonstrates a strong commitment to delivering high‑quality, person‑centered care that reflects Arc Hospice & Palliative Care’s mission, values, and standards of dignity, respect, compassion, and integrity.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

This role requires frequent travel to patient homes, facilities, or hospice office locations. The Music Therapist must be able to carry lightweight instruments and equipment (typically under 25 pounds), and navigate a variety of home and facility environments. It involves extended periods of driving, standing, and sitting, along with occasional kneeling or reaching during bedside care. It requires strong verbal communication and emotional resilience in a setting where death, grief, and loss are present. The ability to adapt to patient needs and changing care environments is essential.

Compensation

$65,000 - $65,000 USD

Arc Hospice & Palliative Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds to join us in delivering compassionate, inclusive care.