Department of Veterans Affairs

Creative Arts Therapist (Music)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Full time

Creative Arts Therapist (Music)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Salary Range: $55602 - $106982 Per Year

Job Summary: The Creative Arts Therapist (Music) for the Corporal Michael J Crescenz Veteran's Administration Medical Center is aligned under Recreation Therapy at the Corporal Michael J Crescenz Veteran's Administration Medical Center, a level 1b facility involving 1 campus (main hospital and Community Living Center), Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Facility and 5 community based outpatient clinics, whose purpose is to provide care and rehabilitation to those Veterans with variety of disabilities.

Major Duties:

  • Demonstrates how culture influences identity formation, concepts of health and pathology, and understanding of the role of music therapy and how music therapy is practiced. Applies current methods of music therapy assessment, treatment, and evaluation related to human growth and development, musical development, diagnostic classifications, etiology, symptomatology, and prognosis in formulating complex treatment plans including the contraindications of music therapy for individuals and groups. Recommends or adapts unique music therapy methods for assessment, treatment or palliation, and evaluation procedures for complex clinical cases; implements and manages a broad range of specialized music therapy services for various and emerging patient evaluations and treatment procedures on patients with a variety of complex diagnoses and disabilities. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 7:30-4:00 PM Rotating Holidays/Weekends. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Qualifications: Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist, creative arts therapist (art), creative arts therapist (dance/movement), creative arts therapist (drama), and creative arts therapist (music): (a) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, in music therapy, or in music with an emphasis in music therapy. The degree must be approved by the National Association for Schools of Music and/or the American Music Therapy Association. OR, (b) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). If hired under this education, the certification cannot be waived. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Creative Arts Therapist (Music) (1) Creative Arts Therapist (Music), GS-7 (a) Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Creative Arts Therapist (Music), GS-9 (a) Experience/Education. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level or a master's degree in creative arts therapy (music) may be substituted for the required one year of professional creative arts therapist (music) experience. (3) Creative Arts Therapist (Music), GS-11 (a) Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/17/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12909059. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-17