Music Therapist

DENVER CHILDRENS HOME; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 43,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Denver Children's Home in Denver, CO is seeking a Music Therapist to provide developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed music therapy to children and adolescents in psychiatric residential treatment. You will collaborate with families, therapists, psychiatrists, nursing staff, educators, and direct-care staff to address treatment-plan goals.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in music therapy, MT-BC credential, and a minimum of three years' experience with children/adolescents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in music therapy from an accredited program.
• MT-BC credential required.
• Minimum three years' experience with children/adolescents preferred.
• Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric residential treatment, trauma-informed care, foster care, or related settings.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual, group, and family music therapy aligned with each client’s treatment plan.
• Complete music therapy assessments and identify clinical goals, interventions, and outcomes.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized music therapy treatment plans with the multidisciplinary team.
• Utilize music-based interventions to facilitate safe emotional expression within therapeutic boundaries.
• Incorporate songwriting, lyric discussion, improvisation, music listening, movement and rhythm activities.
• Coordinate care with therapists and other treatment providers.
• Maintain timely, accurate documentation including assessments and treatment notes.
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment and professional boundaries.
• Provide annual in-service presentations and education for staff.

Skills

MT-BC credential

Team collaboration

Clinical judgment

Documentation

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Culturally responsive care

Trauma-informed care understanding

Education

Bachelor's degree in music therapy

MT-BC credential

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: DCH Main - Denver, CO 80220

Education Level: Bachelors Degree

Salary Range: $31.00 - $34.00 Hourly

Summary of Position: The Music Therapist provides developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed music therapy services to children and adolescents receiving psychiatric residential treatment. The therapist uses evidence-based music interventions to support emotional regulation, self-expression, coping skills, communication, social development, behavioral stabilization, and relationship building. Working as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team, collaborating with families, therapists, psychiatrists, nursing staff, educators, direct-care staff, and other treatment providers. Services may include individual, group, and family-focused interventions designed to address treatment-plan goals and the unique needs of children and families impacted by trauma, behavioral health concerns, attachment disruptions, and other adverse experiences.

Essential Job Duties

• Provide individual, group, and family music therapy consistent with each client’s treatment plan and identify clinical needs.
• Complete music therapy assessments and identify clinical goals, interventions, and outcomes.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized music therapy treatment plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Utilize music-based interventions to facilitate safe emotional expression and processing while maintaining appropriate therapeutic boundaries.
• Incorporate songwriting, lyric discussion, improvisation, music listening, movement, rhythm-based activities, relaxation techniques, and other appropriate clinical interventions.
• Provide interventions for children with varying developmental abilities, behavioral presentations, cognitive abilities, cultural backgrounds, and levels of musical experience.
• Coordinate care with therapists and other treatment providers.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate documentation, including assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, and discharge summaries.
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment in accordance with facility policies.
• Maintain professional boundaries and protect client privacy and dignity.
• Maintain and safely manage music therapy instruments, equipment, supplies, and therapeutic materials.
• Provide annual in-service presentations and education for staff around music therapy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in music therapy from an accredited program.
• MT-BC credential required.
• A minimum of three years' experience working with children and/or adolescents preferred.
• Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric residential treatment, trauma-informed care, foster care, community mental health, or related settings.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and strength-based approaches to treatment.
• Demonstrated ability to establish therapeutic relationships while maintaining proper professional boundaries.
• Strong clinical judgment, communication, documentation, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Ability to adapt music therapy interventions to clients with diverse developmental, behavioral, emotional, cultural, and musical needs.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and therapeutic focused during periods of client distress or behavioural escalation.
• Commitment to providing culturally responsive, inclusive, and nonjudgmental care.
• Successful completion of required background checks, employment screenings, and facility-required training.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

• Current CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain certification within the organization’s required time limit.
• Work is performed primarily in a psychiatric residential treatment setting serving children and adolescents with behavioral health and trauma-related needs.
• Ability to safely move throughout residential, clinical, classroom, recreational, and outdoor areas as needed.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, and move between different therapeutic environments throughout the workday.
• Ability to play and demonstrate a variety of musical instruments and participate in movement-based therapeutic activities as clinically appropriate.
• Ability to lift, carry, and safely transport musical instruments, equipment, and supplies, up to 25-40 pounds as required by the program.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to changing client needs and emergency situations.
• May work with clients who demonstrate emotional dysregulation, aggression, impulsivity, self‑injurious behaviors, or other behavioural challenges; staff must follow facility‑approved safety and crisis‑response procedures.
• May be exposed to elevated noise levels, emotional distress, and unpredictable behaviours associated with a psychiatric residential treatment environment.
• Work may include extended periods of standing, walking, sitting, or participating in active therapeutic programming.
• Must be able to maintain appropriate professional conduct and therapeutic boundaries in a highly structured, team‑based residential environment.
• Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job function.