Music Therapist (Full-Time)

Celebrated as the #3 Top Workplace in the D.C. region for 2025 by The Washington Post since 2019 , Goodwin Living is more than a team – it's a global family of individuals who represent more than 70 countries.

Goodwin Living is proud to be recognized as a Top Workplace in the greater Washington, D.C. region by The Washington Post every year since 2019 — and now nationally by USA Today . Since 2022, we’ve also been annually recognized as one of the top 100 employers for interns by the Top Virginia Employers for Intern Awards. These honors are based entirely on feedback from our team members, gathered through an annual third-party survey. Here’s what they say makes us stand out:

• Embracing Diversity: Our strength is in our diverse team from over 65 countries, fostering an inclusive and vibrant culture that values every voice.
• Growth and Opportunities: We bolster personal and professional development, offering myriad opportunities, from on-the-job training to mentorship programs and financial support, to help you reach your full potential.
• Valuing Our Team Members: By prioritizing team member satisfaction, we create a fulfilling work environment with competitive benefits, work-life balance, and recognition programs, ensuring our team feels appreciated and valued.

About the Position

Position is responsible for planning, implementing, and facilitating a comprehensive program of therapeutic music activities for residents to develop and maintain cognitive functioning, enhance creativity, promote self-confidence, encourage socialization, foster community involvement and support residents’ transitions to end of life. Engages residents in all levels of living must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to assess, plan, and provide service to residents.

Job Duties

• Directs and participates in instrumental and vocal music activities designed to meet residents’ desires/needs, such as solo or group singing, rhythmic and other creative music activities, music listening.

• Works individually or in groups utilizing instrumental or vocal music and music projective techniques, such as guided imagery, progressive relaxation.

• Plays musical instrument(s), such as keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments.

• Provides music therapy experiences to address resident needs, such as using music for self-care, adjusting to life changes, improving cognitive functioning, raising self-esteem, communicating, or controlling impulses.

• Engages residents in music experiences to identify their responses to different styles of music, types of musical experiences, such as improvising or listening, or elements of music, such as tempo or harmony.

• Establishes goals or objectives for music therapy treatment, considering one’s needs, capabilities, interests, and overall therapeutic value.

• Supports end resident goals surrounding end of life and legacy building.

• Selects or adapts musical instruments, musical equipment, or non-musical materials, such as adaptive devices or visual aids.

• Supports special music-related events (visiting artists, concerts, workshops etc.).

• Conducts Bell Choir and supports the Melody Makers Choir at Goodwin House Alexandria.

• Provides clinical supervision to music, art, and or dance/movement interns, and works with surrounding universities to foster internship/practicum experiences for students.

• Meets regulatory requirements, documents in the resident’s medical record, and participates in care planning meetings for residents that are actively engaged in music therapy.

• Works as a member of the Life Enrichment team and assists with development of workshops, special events and music groups.

Job Qualifications

• Master's degree in music therapy. Knowledge of principles, concepts, and methodology of alternative therapy appropriate for the geriatric population.

• Certified Board Music Therapist (CBMT) or Music Therapist Board Certified (MT-BC) or must be certified within six months from hire date.

• A minimum of one year providing music therapy and/or activities to older adults in a multidisciplinary setting.

• The Music Therapist must display a genuine interest in serving residents with dementia and be empathetic, patient, creative, and open to new ideas.

A sampling of our many benefits!

We’ve got you covered with incredible benefits, whether you work full-time, part-time, or PRN (as needed). Here’s a glimpse of what we offer to Full-Time team members:

• Paid Time Off
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• DailyPay: Work and get paid the same day!
• Tuition Assistance for Career Development
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Financial assistance with U.S. Citizenship application or DACA Renewal
• Tutoring for ESL, Citizenship Test & GED
• Staff Emergency Grants
• Retirement Plan- 401(k)
• Free Meals, Access to a Fitness Center, Pool, and More

About Goodwin Living

At Goodwin Living, we can all find work with purpose! As a nonprofit senior living and healthcare organization based in Alexandria, Virginia, we are driven by our mission: to support, honor and uplift the lives of older adults and those who care for them. Our commitment to our team members is written directly into that statement. We create an enriching and supportive work environment that has inspired our team members to vote us into the Washington Post Top Workplace rankings since 2019, and they made us #2 in 2024!

Goodwin Living is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an AARP Employer Pledge Signer. We take pride in our inclusive work culture that values diversity and fosters talent. With us, you are more than just a team member; you are part of a community committed to excellence and continuous learning.