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.