RB Ancillary Music Therapist

Advantage Behavioral Health; Scranton (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Part time

Job summary

Riverbend is seeking an Ancillary Music Therapist to provide structured therapeutic music sessions for residents in a behavioral health program. The role supports emotional regulation, coping skills, social engagement, and individualized goals through evidence-informed music therapy interventions.

The position is limited-hours, roughly a couple sessions per week, with opportunities for additional groups as the program expands. Requires MT-BC credential or eligibility and a relevant degree.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy from an accredited program.
• Current MT-BC credential or eligibility per Riverbend's requirements.
• Demonstrated clinical training in music therapy interventions.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health conditions.

Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate individual and group music therapy sessions in the residential setting.
• Use active music-making, receptive music experiences, songwriting, lyric discussion, rhythm-based activities and other techniques.
• Support emotional regulation, expression, coping, communication, social connection and recovery.
• Adapt interventions to clinical presentation, abilities, cultural considerations and goals.
• Coordinate with clinical leadership and the treatment team to align programming with goals.
• Observe participation and communicate concerns to the treatment team.
• Complete documentation including attendance and session notes on time.
• Maintain instruments and the therapeutic environment safely.
• Follow infection-control, safety, confidentiality, and crisis-response policies.
• Perform other duties as needed to support the program.

Skills

MT-BC credential

Music therapy interventions

Experience with mental health

Clinical training in music therapy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy

Job description

Position Summary

The Ancillary Music Therapist provides structured therapeutic music sessions for clients receiving residential mental health services at Riverbend. Working within the interdisciplinary treatment environment, the Music Therapist uses evidence-informed music therapy interventions to support emotional regulation, expression, coping skills, social engagement, self-awareness, and individualized treatment goals. This is a limited-hours ancillary position anticipated to provide approximately a couple of sessions per week, with opportunities for additional groups as program needs and programming expand.

• Plan and facilitate individual and/or group music therapy sessions consistent with client needs and the residential treatment program.
• Use clinically appropriate interventions such as active music-making, receptive music experiences, songwriting, lyric discussion, rhythm-based activities, and other therapeutic techniques within professional scope.
• Use music-based interventions to support emotional regulation, expression, coping, communication, social connection, and recovery.
• Adapt interventions to clients' clinical presentation, abilities, cultural considerations, preferences, and treatment goals.
• Coordinate with clinical leadership and members of the interdisciplinary team to align ancillary programming with treatment goals.
• Observe client participation and behavior during sessions and communicate clinically relevant concerns to appropriate treatment team members.
• Complete required documentation accurately and within established timeframes, including attendance and session notes as applicable.
• Maintain instruments, equipment, and the therapeutic environment in a safe and organized manner.
• Follow infection-control, safety, confidentiality, professional-boundary, and crisis-response expectations of the facility.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position and program needs.

Position Summary

The Ancillary Music Therapist provides structured therapeutic music sessions for clients receiving residential mental health services at Riverbend. Working within the interdisciplinary treatment environment, the Music Therapist uses evidence-informed music therapy interventions to support emotional regulation, expression, coping skills, social engagement, self‑awareness, and individualized treatment goals. This is a limited-hours ancillary position anticipated to provide approximately a couple of sessions per week, with opportunities for additional groups as program needs and programming expand.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate individual and/or group music therapy sessions consistent with client needs and the residential treatment program.
• Use clinically appropriate interventions such as active music‑making, receptive music experiences, songwriting, lyric discussion, rhythm‑based activities, and other therapeutic techniques within professional scope.
• Use music-based interventions to support emotional regulation, expression, coping, communication, social connection, and recovery.
• Adapt interventions to clients' clinical presentation, abilities, cultural considerations, preferences, and treatment goals.
• Coordinate with clinical leadership and members of the interdisciplinary team to align ancillary programming with treatment goals.
• Observe client participation and behavior during sessions and communicate clinically relevant concerns to appropriate treatment team members.
• Complete required documentation accurately and within established timeframes, including attendance and session notes as applicable.
• Maintain instruments, equipment, and the therapeutic environment in a safe and organized manner.
• Follow infection‑control, safety, confidentiality, professional‑boundary, and crisis‑response expectations of the facility.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position and program needs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Music Therapy from an appropriately accredited or approved music therapy program.
• Current Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) credential, or eligibility consistent with Riverbend's hiring requirements and the individual's scope of practice.
• Demonstrated clinical training in the use of music therapy interventions.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health conditions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active MT-BC credential in good standing.
• Experience in residential, inpatient, partial hospitalization, or other behavioral health treatment settings.
• Experience facilitating therapeutic groups for adults with complex or high-acuity mental health needs.
• Training or experience in trauma-informed care and recovery-oriented behavioral health services.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to engage adults with diverse clinical presentations in a respectful, recovery-oriented manner.
• Strong group facilitation, communication, interpersonal, and boundary-setting skills.
• Ability to adapt activities to participants' needs, abilities, interests, and treatment goals.
• Understanding of confidentiality, professional ethics, trauma-informed care, and interdisciplinary treatment.
• Reliable documentation, organization, and time-management skills.

Physical and Work Environment

Work is performed in a residential behavioral health setting and may include standing, sitting, walking, bending, and transporting light program materials or equipment. The employee must be able to respond appropriately to the needs of clients and the clinical environment, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Additional Requirements

• Successful completion of all pre-employment screening and onboarding requirements applicable to the position.
• Maintain all licenses, certifications, credentials, and professional liability coverage required by Riverbend or applicable law, if applicable to the engagement.
• Comply with Riverbend policies, confidentiality requirements, safety procedures, and applicable federal and Pennsylvania requirements.
• This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties. Responsibilities may be adjusted based on program and client needs.