Music Therapy Internship

MUSIC THERAPY

internship

Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) is San Diego’s leading provider of comprehensive mental health and substance abuse care. As a part of our Behavioral Healthcare system, API operates a free-standing, 66-bed psychiatric hospital in La Mesa, California with four Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization Programs. These programs offer mental health services to adults with a broad range of psychiatric, substance abuse and behavioral disorders and emphasize symptom management, community integration, and prevention of hospitalization or re-hospitalization.

Primary diagnoses served by API include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder, personality disorders, substance abuse and addictions, and PTSD. Music therapy is part of the Therapeutic Specialties and Spiritual Care (TSSC) department that is home to two music therapists, an expressive art therapist, a recreation therapist, a chaplain, and four assistants.

ABOUT OUR INTERNSHIP

OUR MISSION

Improving Mental Health and Quality of life by helping people maximize their potential.

OUR VALUES

Our work is guided by our beliefs and commitments to PEOPLE, SERVICE, and RESULTS.

OUR PRINCIPLES We honor, respect, and invest in all people.

We are at our best when we work together.

We do what is right.

We adapt with creativity and vision.

We serve with compassion.

We embrace the big picture.

We hold one another accountable.

We use best practices.

We communicate with honesty and clarity.

We embrace inclusivity, celebrate diversity, and actively seek equity.

Music Therapy Interns will work with patients in our inpatient hospital under the guidance of the Internship Director and supervising music therapist. Interns will learn about a variety of psychiatric disorders and gain skills in patient assessment, behavior management, and group processing. Goals and objectives are established through a multi-disciplinary treatment approach and are addressed through a combination of group and individual patient sessions. Interns will observe, plan, and lead these sessions, in addition to completing patient assessments, developing goals, designing and implementing treatment plans, and documenting patient progress.

Music Therapy Interns will participate in treatment team meetings each week and be involved in the creation and implementation of behavior plans with an interdisciplinary team that includes a psychiatrist, psychologist, charge nurse, social worker, and case manager.

Interns will also have opportunities to observe and collaborate with various disciplines, including psychology doctoral interns, nursing staff and students, and other TSSC staff.

During TSSC group and individual sessions, interns will provide patients with opportunities to develop insight into mental health and substance abuse needs, improve the ability to function with minimal interference from symptoms, and develop healthy coping skills.

Interns will use a variety of interventions including singing, lyrics analysis, song writing, musical stories and games, movement to music, relaxation exercises, instrument playing, drumming, and interventions using technology.

Throughout the course of the internship, interns will be expected to observe and participate in professional conferences, workshops, and staff in-services as they occur.

EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS Prospective interns will submit all requirements for the application and will then participate in a video or in-person interview and audition.

Proficiency on guitar and voice is required.

Intern candidates should also exhibit excellent musical skills, including technique, repertoire, and improvisation. These skills will be evaluated at midterm and end of the internship. It is recommended, though not required, that interns have at least one term clinical experience in

a mental health setting and be familiar with psychiatric diagnoses and treatment approaches.

Following AMTA guidelines, the internship at API is 1000 hours in 6 months, 40 hours a week.

During their first month, Interns will observe groups, assessments, and other TSSC duties.

By the second month, interns be expected to facilitate up to two groups and three assessments each day, as needed, and will be observed by a supervising music therapist at least one time on each unit every week. A variety of professional and program development projects will be also completed throughout the internship, including article reviews, staff observations, appropriate intervention development, and a case review. Hours will be designated each week for interns to work on these projects.

Interns at API are expected to have a positive attitude, show respect toward patients and colleagues, alike, and to be eager to help patients and staff as needed. API is committed to improving mental health and quality of life by helping people maximize their potential and our goal is to help our interns reach their full potential as Board-Certified Music Therapists.

INTERNSHIP QUICK A F CTS SETTING:

Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital

ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS LIABILITY INSURANCE:

Required, not provided

POPULATIONS: Mental Health, Substance Abuse, CURRENT CPR: Required, provided at Intern’s expens PTSD, Military COVID-19 VACCINE: Required, not provided AGE RANGES:

o Y ung Adult, Adult, Mature adult

STARING MONTHS:

January, June

ATTIRE: Business Casual HOUSING:

Not provided

STIPEND: Not provided MEALS: Lunch provided TRANSPORTATION: Supervisor will provide transportation during work hours, if needed.

BACKGROUND CHECK: PROCARE TRAINING:

Required, provided by API Required, provided by API

FLU VACCINE:

Required, provided by API

PPD/TB TEST:

Required, provided by API

CONTACT: INTERNSHIP DIRECTOR HOLLY MEAD, MT-BC

API’S FAMILY OF SERVICES

apibhs.com 24-HOUR INFORMATION & SUPPORT

800-766-4API (4274)

ALVARADO PARKWAY INSTITUTE 7050 Parkway Drive | La Mesa, CA 91942 Physician owned hospital.