Detailed job description and main responsibilities

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Clinical:

To be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of work, including the management of patients in your care.

To work closely with parents and carers to understand the needs of the child and family, and the ways in which music therapy might help. 

To provide specialist music therapy assessment and treatment for children presenting with a wide range of developmental needs.

To implement a range of specialist interventions drawn from different evidence based theoretical models to meet a child’s needs.   

To work in close consultation with the specialist multi-disciplinary team to provide joint interventions as appropriate to meet the needs of the child and family. 

To provide timely verbal and written feedback to referrers and other professionals about a child’s music therapy assessment or treatment.

To demonstrate a sensitive approach to the diverse needs of the children and families who access the service.

To adhere to Trust policies relating to confidentiality in dealing with patients and their families, in the context of ongoing highly distressing circumstances including child safeguarding procedures.

To be sensitive to the needs and anxieties of parents and carers within this healthcare context, while seeking to work with their knowledge and experience. 

To maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records and statistics in line with Trust and HCPC standards, including video/audio recording, written clinical notes & reports.   

To engage in effective clinical liaison with multi-disciplinary staff via written reports, telephone and attendance at patient reviews/clinical meetings with a variety of agencies.

To adhere to governance policies and procedures and be aware of relevant documents/briefings from bodies such as NHS England, the Department of Health, and other relevant bodies. 

To support the development of trainee music therapists’ clinical experience as required.

To demonstrate good time management and organisational skills during daily management of own workload and to be able to adapt flexibly to sudden changes in workload.

To raise awareness of the use of music as a therapeutic tool within an ‘arts in health’ hospital environment and provide consultation to other agencies.

To continue to develop professional expertise and knowledge through continuing professional development, as agreed with your line manager.

To carry out practical, clinically related tasks as necessary.  For example, storing and maintaining equipment, and organising the clinical environment. 

2. Leadership and management:

To keep accurate and up-to-date patient records and statistics at all times in line with Trust and HCPC requirements.

To make appropriate and timely referrals to other members of the multidisciplinary team when required.

To deputise for the band 7 therapist during periods of absence, with the support of the team leads, to ensure effective day to day organisation of the team’s workload.

To understand and apply clinical governance principles to your own caseload and contribute to departmental clinical governance sessions.

To contribute to service and policy developments within the music therapy team and across the wider AHP services in the Trust.

To develop and maintain effective communication and working relationships with other professional groups, and staff generally within the Division and the Trust.

To assist in the delivery of induction / orientation of new staff and trainees.

To provide clinical support and guidance, and to act as a resource for clinical knowledge to other professionals both within and external to the Trust.

To understand and manage service developments and changes with colleagues

To contribute to the implementation of audit and service evaluations

To facilitate income generation for the Trust through participation in workshops, conferences and seminars.

To be involved in purchase of equipment and consumable stock, including furniture, electrical goods, stationery and specialist music therapy equipment.

3. Education & research:

To be involved in supporting music therapy trainee placements.

To be involved in data collection for research and audits being undertaken in each area and to be able to monitor and implement change.

To be involved in audit and research projects and presenting findings as appropriate.

To participate in promoting music therapy through workshops, parent forums and seminars where appropriate

4. Professional development:

To maintain a high standard of care and professional conduct in accordance with the requirements of the HCPC, observing that trainees do likewise.

To maintain professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.

To be responsible for personal continuous professional development by the use of self-education, reflective practice, and active participation in any in-service training.  This may include writing about or presenting aspects of practice or research, in line with your personal development plan agreed with your line manager.  You will be responsible for maintaining an up-to-date CPD portfolio should you be called for audit by HCPC.   

To ensure that all mandatory training is completed within the required timescales.

To assess own training and development needs, participating in regular clinical and managerial supervision.

To participate in the appraisal (PDR) system.  Following your annual appraisal you will be responsible for engaging in the on-going process of monitoring and working towards your agreed objectives. 

To ensure adherence to Trust policy and guidelines at all times.

To role model Trust values at all times.

This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and his/her manager.

All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level. If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior member of staff.