Music Therapist for Hospice Patients (Holy Cross)

Save to Favorites

A Music Therapist in a hospice setting is a trained and certified professional who uses music-based interventions to enhance the emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being of terminally ill patients. They work as part of an interdisciplinary hospice team to provide comfort and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

Key Responsibilities of a Hospice Music Therapist:

• Assess Patient Needs: Evaluate the patient's physical, emotional, and cognitive conditions to determine appropriate music therapy interventions.
• Provide Live Music Therapy: Use instruments and singing to address pain management, relaxation, and emotional expression.
• Facilitate Reminiscence & Legacy Projects: Create personalized playlists, record songs, or guide patients in writing songs to leave for loved ones.
• Support Pain & Symptom Management: Use specific music techniques to alleviate anxiety, respiratory distress, and agitation.
• Offer Bereavement Support: Provide comfort to family members through music therapy before and after a patient’s passing.
• Collaborate with Hospice Team: Work with nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers to integrate music therapy into a patient’s overall care plan.

Certification & Qualifications:

• Must be a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC), accredited by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT).
• Hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Music Therapy from an American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)-approved program.
• Have completed clinical training including a 1,200-hour internship in a healthcare setting.
• Familiarity with hospice philosophy and experience in end-of-life care is preferred.
• Strong empathy, communication skills, and adaptability to support diverse patient needs.