Senior Music Therapist

Job summary

An excellent opportunity exists for an HCPC registered Music Therapist with substantial experience working with children presenting with complex developmental needs to develop their skills further. The post holder will work closely and in collaboration with families, the music therapy team and multidisciplinary colleagues Chelsea and Westminster Hospital offers a comprehensive child development music therapy service for children and families.

We provide assessment and therapy across three Child Development Centres in Central London. We also offer a range of music therapy input to local children's centres and nurseries as well as training and consultation for professionals and parents/carers.

We are looking for a Music Therapist with substantial experience who is able to work both independently and autonomously as well as effectively within a music therapy and wider multi professional team. This post holder will be experienced in supervision and management responsibilities and be able to respond flexibly and effectively to supporting the needs of children with a wide variety of health, developmental and social needs.

They will also be responsive to families who benefit from joined up collaborative work with other related professionals. Excellent support will be provided including clinical supervision, regular managerial supervision, CPD opportunities and administrative assistance. Secondments will be considered.

Main duties of the job

To provide highly specialist music therapy assessment and intervention, using evidence based principles and current best practice, and maintain accurate records. To lead on specific management responsibilities as well as contribute to strategic planning and service developments. Operational management and clinical supervision responsibilities for qualified and trainee music therapists in the team.

To provide consultation, teaching and training at undergraduate/post-graduate level, to child health/education staff, related professionals and parents. To work within a range of community settings, which could include child development centres, children's centres, nurseries and local schools. To implement service audits and evaluations, develop and lead CPD, and participate in research.

To be a role model for expert clinical care, and the identified Trust values at all times.

About us

Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London. Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care.

The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use. We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid. We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future. We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.

Job responsibilities

Clinical: To be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of work, including the management of patients in your care To provide specialist music therapy assessment and treatment for children presenting with a wide range of developmental needs To lead the delivery of clinical services for a specific site.

To implement a range of specialist interventions drawn from different evidence based theoretical models To offer a flexible provision of care to the families in our service in liaison with the MDT and others working with a child, providing joint interventions as appropriate To actively seek the views and involvement of families as part of clinical delivery and service development To identify and develop particular areas of clinical practice within the service, and lead their implementation across the team 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.

To maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records and statistics in line with Trust and HCPC standards. To adhere to governance policies and procedures and be aware of relevant documents/briefings from bodies. To be responsible for the supervision of trainee music therapists.

To demonstrate good time management and organisational skills during daily management of own workload and to be able to adapt flexibly to changes To continue to develop professional expertise and knowledge through continuing professional development To carry out practical, clinically related tasks as necessary Leadership and management: To make appropriate and timely referrals to other members of the multidisciplinary team when required.

To deputise for the lead music therapists during periods of absence to ensure effective day to day organisation of the teams workload. To understand and apply clinical governance principles to your own caseload and contribute to and lead departmental clinical governance sessions To contribute to service and policy developments within the music therapy team and across wider AHP services in the Trust.

To develop and maintain effective communication and working relationships with other colleagues within the Trust. 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 lead on the implementation of audit and service evaluations.

To be involved in purchase of equipment and consumable stock, including furniture, electrical goods, stationery and specialist music therapy equipment. Education & research: To contribute to clinical supervision of trainee music therapists, supporting where appropriate the development of research projects which are deemed relevant to the service.

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, presenting as required.

To participate in promoting music therapy through workshops, parent forums, and seminars where appropriate Professional development: To maintain a high standard of care and professional conduct in accordance with the requirements of the HCPC ensuring that staff and trainees you are responsible for do likewise. To maintain professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.

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.

Person Specification

Education and

Qualifications · Essential

HCPC Registered as a Music Therapist MA training in Music Therapy (or equivalent) Evidence of further training in an area related to child health

Desirable

Membership of The British Association for Music Therapy Membership of British Association for Music Therapy Children Young People and Families Clinical Interest Group Research project experience which links to the area of children's health

Experience · Essential

Recent substantial experience of working with children between the ages of 0 - 6 with developmental difficulties Experience of working with a range of professionals across health, social care, or education settings. Experience of working and contributing effectively within a multi-disciplinary team which includes AHP colleagues e.g.

OT, SALT, Physiotherapy Experience of music therapy work which actively involves parents and/or carers in music therapy sessions Experience of providing managerial and clinical supervision to music therapy trainees and qualified music therapists, and liaison with higher education training courses Consolidated experience running children's music therapy groups with music therapists or other professionals using a variety of flexible approaches Recent experience of joint working with other professionals Experience of providing teaching and training to professionals and carers on the benefits of music making and music therapy Experience of leading and implementing service development, research and audit Experience of providing teaching and training to professionals and carers on the benefits of music making and music therapy within child/family health settings

Desirable

Experience of presenting music therapy practice, service evaluation and research to audiences other than music therapists Experience of contributing as a music therapist to multi-agency/professional meetings e.g. TAC meetings (Team Around the Child), CIN meetings (Child in Need) Experience of leadership/management within a MDT setting Experience of music therapy working pre and post neurodevelopmental diagnosis Experience of working in children's centres or other early years settings Knowledge or direct support of arts-in-health initiatives Skills and knowledge

Essential

Ability to take responsibility for clinical work from referral through to discharge Ability to work effectively as part of a team In-depth, highly specialist knowledge of child development music therapy practice with children who have a wide variety of additional needs Ability to communicate effectively in an often highly emotive clinical setting and identify and assess risk accordingly Ability to demonstrate an evidence based approach to work Ability to communicate effectively with other professionals, parents, and children of all ages and abilities Diplomacy and sensitivity dealing with children and families who are in crisis Excellent organisational and presentation skills Awareness of professional and personal boundaries Ability to demonstrate knowledge of governance and clinical risk management principles Computer literate

Desirable

Knowledge of other relevant therapeutic approaches Knowledge of relevant initiatives and policies to support children with SEND and their families

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).