On Facebook, Crista Orefice asked about how to land a job at a retirement community. As a self-employed independent contractor, I have lots of little jobs (contracts) and lots of little bosses (administrators), so the setup is a bit different than the traditional job with one big boss and benefits, etc. However, I’ve tapped into some resources and done my best to respond with several useful and practical ideas for new professionals.
Oh, and she also asked about my eBook, which has yet to come out! But here you have it – the facebook post, and below is my reply… Thanks for your comment and question, Crista!
If you are a new professional looking for a job at a retirement community, try these tips to get started:
1. Network with other professionals in your area. Networking is a must. If a facility has a music therapist (MT) on staff, then reach out and connect with the MT on staff. Ask the MT if there are other facilities in the area looking for full-time MTs. Ask for help and resources, such as activities directors associations, that may point you in the right direction.
2. Check the AMTA job postings online. Have you seen the resource materials available on J.O.I.N. M.T. (Job Opportunity and Information for Music Therapists)? Crazy-loaded with tips on resumes, interviews, reimbursement, networking, FAQs, AND JOB LISTINGS! You’ve got to become a member of AMTA in order to reap these benefits.
3. Research the job market. If the AMTA listings didn’t cut it for your search, do a search online, get in touch with the local Alzheimer’s Association, or find an agency that places loved ones in retirement communities. Make sure you take note of the size of the facility and care levels provided. Reach out, and ask if any of them have full-time music therapists. You might have to take care of some administrative duties if you are hired full-time anywhere. Some places need an activities director or music therapist to handle ALL Life Enrichment programming. So, be prepared to delve into duties that are in addition to our beloved music therapy practice. =)
4. Use the AMTA Sourcebook to compare mean salaries per region and populations served. I can’t tell you how many times the Sourcebook has come in handy for me! Whether you’re looking for the most popular titles music therapists take on at a job, job trends, contact information for a particular member, or music therapists by state, the Sourcebook is a wealth of information!
5. Visualize your ideal job situation. The more you visualize, the quicker you’ll know exactly what you want. And once you know exactly what you want, opportunities open wide. As I mentioned above, many retirement facilities need a Life Enrichment Director. Do you mind taking care of admin tasks? Is your location flexible? Would you like a job or contract work? Would you rather work in independent living, assisted living, adult day care, memory care, skilled nursing, or all of the above?
Got any more suggestions for Crista? Help her out by leaving a comment below~
Well put, Kat. I would add there is a difference contracting/part time employment and full time employment. Many of the corporations which own facilities have programs into which music therapy can easily be a part. For example, I provide sessions at two area Brookdale living facilities. I do my best to provide one session around that month’s theme so they can use me to meet a required themed event. Best of luck!
Yes! JoAnn – YOU are the go-to person on this topic! Thanks for contributing. Also btw, the Brookdale facility here contacted me when the theme was DRUMMING! Brookdale is great!
The Brookdale theme is countries this year, so ethic songs & drumming are back in my line up. Asking facilities (if they are things corporate offices want to see is wise if you contract – it makes you more valuable to them.)
Hi everyone! Kat, thank you so much for posting this in your blog in repsonse to my question and search for answers!
JoAnn, what type of programs in the facilities does MT fit into?
Thanks!
In our area, it’s definitely easier to get small contracts at many facilities than to get a full-time job as a music therapist. Most nursing homes around here have one activity director and maybe 2-3 assistants covering all the activities in the facility, so the MT who is also the AD gets to lead bingo and birthday parties, too. The one exception may be a large continuing care organization with independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing all on one campus – they might be able to support a full-time music therapist. If you do want to go the full-time activity director route, please know that as an MT-BC you are definitely well-qualified to do a stellar job and should be confident in that when you interview.
As an independent contractor, it definitely is possible to have a contract at one facility lead to a contract at a sister facility (e.g. when both are Brookdale homes) – that’s where some word-of-mouth advertising pays off! As far as working with the facility’s programming, it’s helpful to talk with the activity directors or social service coordinators about whatever special events are coming up and planning your sessions around that. For example, one of my nursing homes had a special “Night in Paris” dinner for residents and their families, so my session on the dementia unit earlier in the day integrated French music, helping to continue that theme throughout the day for the residents.
Another thing to think about it that you might be getting hired as an “entertainer” under the entertainment budget. I think this is okay – I just do my best to articulate what makes music therapy different (and probably better) than their regular entertainment programming and insist on the things that are important to quality music therapy services – consistent scheduling, smaller group size, having the same residents from session to session, having documentation time, etc.
One more thing – in the materials I send to facilities, I emphasize that I can often work effectively with people who don’t do well in the regular activity programming. Activity professionals are required to ensure that all residents participate in activities, even if that means they have to have 1:1 time with activity staff. As a music therapist, I can fulfill some of those 1:1 session requirements and sometimes even get people involved in music therapy groups who weren’t willing to be involved in group activities before, thus helping them get past needing 1:1 activity programming. This is valuable to these facilities as well.
I hope some of these ideas help!
Crista, I think Rachelle gave a great response. It comes down to what it is you are wanting and what the facilities/market in your area will tolerate. I spent many years as an activity director in SNFs, ALFs, & CCRCs. My skills as a music therapist were well used in all the settings. It provided me opportunities to work closely with rehab & restorative staff.
At various points I have chosen to do contract work as I am now. That work has included 1:1, special population small groups, sing-along, entertaining for special events, working with adult day care, providing intergenerational programming, … the list goes on.
If you are interested in contract work, I would recommend first asking them (the administrator, social services, activity staff) what they and their residents need. The area of greatest need varies a lot from facility to facility with the population they target and the services they provide. (I saw an article last week which spoke of an increasing number of under 50 yr olds being admitted to facilities. This might be an example of a special need.) Corporations have different program requirements so ask about that. Additionally locked units can benefit from your services and training.
Hope that proves helpful!
Rachelle and JoAnn,
You have both given me such useful and helpful information, and I am SO GRATEFUL!! You both sound like you have had many wonderful and rich opportunities/experiences in your areas.
I haven’t yet officially attempted this pursuit here in NJ, but it is definitely something I want to try, even for contract work. I have been hired (in the past) as a professional entertainer at many places as well. I was thinking I could use that to my advantage.
Would calling an activities staff and asking them if they have a music therapy service be a good first step? Then if they say, “No..” I could offer what I do?
Thanks again! This is a great community of support.
Thank you to Kat for creating this!!: )
Yes! You should call them, and if they say “No,” then let them know what you offer.
One more thing I wanted to ask. I will call the AMTA tomorrow (need to re-join), but does anyone have any information on liability insurance/legalities involved in contracting work and private practice?
Thanks!!
I’m in private practice, and I get my liability through HPSO: http://www.hpso.com/professional-liability-insurance/coverage-description.jsp They are connected to AMTA.