Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Bank Music Therapist

The closing date is 27 May 2025

Job summary

Music Therapist

An excellent opportunity exists for a Music Therapist with experience with children presenting with complex developmental/physical/emotional/mental health needs to consolidate their skills further within a dynamic and forward thinking Music Therapy Service.

Strong partnerships exist between the core service, multi-disciplinary colleagues and local early years services. These partnerships offer an opportunity for therapists within the team to further extend their skills through collaborative work with children and families in a wide variety of contexts.

We are looking for a newly or recently qualified Music Therapist who is able to work both independently and autonomously as well as effectively within a music therapy and wider multi professional team. This post has excellent support and development opportunities which are particularly suited to someone at the beginning of their career who is looking to develop their clinical and professional skills in a setting where they can also contribute to a team focused approach to service delivery.

The post holder will 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.

Main duties of the job

To provide specialist music therapy assessment and intervention, maintain up to date records and use evidence based principles and current best practice

To work within a range of community settings, which could include child development centres, children's centres, local schools

To be involved in specific projects / service development as delegated by the Senior Music Therapists or Clinical Lead.

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

To provide consultation, teaching and training at undergraduate and post-graduate level and to child health/education staff and related professionals and parents

About us

We provide services from two main hospitals, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital, and a number of clinics across London and the South-East.

We have over 7,000 members of staff that are PROUD to Care for nearly one million people. Both hospitals provide full clinical services, including full maternity, emergency and children's, in addition to a range of community-based services across London, such as award-winning sexual health and HIV clinics.

We're one of the safest and best performing Trusts in the country. We're also one of the top trusts to work for - our staff say they're engaged, motivated, and would recommend us as a place to work and receive treatment.

In 2020 Trust was rated by the Care Quality Commission as Outstanding in the well-led and use of resources domains and Good in the safe, effective, caring, and responsive domains. The Trust as a whole was Good, but the Chelsea site was Outstanding.

Our facilities are some of the best in the country. We have been investing around £10 million a year in our estate. We are currently spending £25 million on expanding our adult and neonatal critical care facilities at Chelsea and Westminster and redevelopment of our children's unit at West Middlesex - in partnership with our charity, CW+ and generous donors

Details

Date posted

16 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£25.68 to £32.10 an hour per hour

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

289-Bank-047

Job locations

Chelsea & Westminster Hospital

Central London

SW10 9NH


Job description

Job 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 childs 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 childs 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.

  1. 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 teams 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.

  1. 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

  1. 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.

Job description

Job 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 childs 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 childs 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.

  1. 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 teams 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.

  1. 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

  1. 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.

Person Specification

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to take responsibility for clinical work from referral through to discharge
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • Ability to communicate effectively in an often highly emotive clinical setting and identify and assess risk accordingly

Desirable

  • Knowledge of other relevant therapeutic approaches

Experience

Essential

  • Recent 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

Desirable

  • Experience of music therapy work which actively involves parents and/or carers in music therapy sessions
  • Experience running children's music therapy groups
  • Experience of presentation of clinical case studies work to other professionals

Education/qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC Registered as a Music Therapist
  • MA training in Music Therapy (or equivalent)

Desirable

  • Membership of The British Association for Music Therapy
  • Research project experience (as part of music therapy training) which links to the area of children's health
Person Specification

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to take responsibility for clinical work from referral through to discharge
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • Ability to communicate effectively in an often highly emotive clinical setting and identify and assess risk accordingly

Desirable

  • Knowledge of other relevant therapeutic approaches

Experience

Essential

  • Recent 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

Desirable

  • Experience of music therapy work which actively involves parents and/or carers in music therapy sessions
  • Experience running children's music therapy groups
  • Experience of presentation of clinical case studies work to other professionals

Education/qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC Registered as a Music Therapist
  • MA training in Music Therapy (or equivalent)

Desirable

  • Membership of The British Association for Music Therapy
  • Research project experience (as part of music therapy training) which links to the area of children's health

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.

UK Registration

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

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

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

Employer details

Employer name

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chelsea & Westminster Hospital

Central London

SW10 9NH


Employer's website

https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chelsea & Westminster Hospital

Central London

SW10 9NH


Employer's website

https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead for Music Therapy

Juliet Wood

juliet.wood@nhs.net

02033156472

Details

Date posted

16 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£25.68 to £32.10 an hour per hour

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

289-Bank-047

Job locations

Chelsea & Westminster Hospital

Central London

SW10 9NH


Supporting documents

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