Entry Level Music Therapist Jobs
New grad music therapist jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship hours or a clinical portfolio can carry more weight than a lengthy resume. Most openings are on-site roles concentrated in Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Insurance, with employers like Optum, VITAS Healthcare, and AccentCare hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Entry Level Music Therapist jobs
INTRODUCTION
At Houston Methodist, the Music Therapist position is credentialed and board certified and is responsible for applying the principles and techniques of their respective modality to patient care in order to treat and rehabilitate people with mental, physical and emotional needs. This position will conduct assessments, observations and treatments in both individual and group settings, document findings and recommendations in the medical record, and participate in treatment team meetings. The Music Therapist position provides education to patients, patient's family members, and/or caregivers and collaborates with other health care professionals as needed for problem resolution and/or achievement of identified patient specific goals. This position assists with collection of quality metrics and analytics, with development of best practices and process improvement initiatives, as designated.
FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor’s degree
Experience
One year experience providing music therapy in medical population or two years experience providing music therapy in other populations
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
MT-BC - Music Therapist Board Certification (CBMT) - Certification Board for Music Therapists
BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to patient or employee safety or security
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
Exhibits excellent delivery of customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers; demonstrates ability to establish and maintain highly effective professional relationships with physicians
Ability to work independently
Completed advanced training in neurologic music therapy through the Robert F Unkefer Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy for positions in rehabilitation settings
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Promotes a positive work environment and leads to the team to be a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
- Responds positively to requests for assistance from customers, employees and visitors, using clear and professional communication to facilitate problem resolution.
- Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for retention/employee engagement, using peer-to-peer accountability.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Utilizes music therapy as part of patient’s complete and comprehensive evaluation to identify patient’s level of function, develop the plan of care and improve issues with emotional, psychological and cognitive well-being.
- Provides education to staff, patients and family members about music therapy services and relevant research through formal in-services and informal daily interactions.
- Coordinates aspects of patient care and development into the population-specific program through personalized interaction.
- Organizes and completes work efforts, as appropriate, to ensure the best possible delivery of service, contributing towards improving scores for patient satisfaction.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Documents clinical interactions in the electronic medical record system.
- Maintains a safe environment, following all policies and procedures for safety, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness and HIPAA.
- Participates in patient or team conferences in order to learn about discharge plans, treatment goals and medical concerns from the treatment team, and in order to contribute relevant progress and concerns from creative arts therapies perspective.
- Communicates team resource and performance improvement needs to ensure quality and customer service standards, impacting quality and safety department and hospital targets.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritizes daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members. Meets labor productivity standards by effectively managing established patient load assignments.
- Maintains accurate and complete documentation of patient interventions and education performed in a timely manner in the medical record. Accurately enters charges for services provided, as applicable.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Supports hospital and department goals by offering innovative solutions through participation in department projects. Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that improve quality or services. Assumes responsibility for self-growth and development by participating in in-services programs and continuing education, completing and updating the individual development plan (IDP) on an ongoing basis.
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE
- Uniform: No
- Scrubs: Yes
- Business professional: No
- Other (department approved): No
ON-CALL
- Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
- On Call: No
TRAVEL
Travel specifications may vary by department
- May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: Yes
- May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No
Company Profile:
Houston Methodist is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers. The health system consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the Texas Medical Center, seven community hospitals and one long-term acute care hospital throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Houston Methodist also includes a research institute; a comprehensive residency program; international patient services; freestanding comprehensive care clinics, emergency care and imaging centers; and outpatient facilities. Come lead with us!
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
INTRODUCTION
At Houston Methodist, the Music Therapist position is credentialed and board certified and is responsible for applying the principles and techniques of their respective modality to patient care in order to treat and rehabilitate people with mental, physical and emotional needs. This position will conduct assessments, observations and treatments in both individual and group settings, document findings and recommendations in the medical record, and participate in treatment team meetings. The Music Therapist position provides education to patients, patient's family members, and/or caregivers and collaborates with other health care professionals as needed for problem resolution and/or achievement of identified patient specific goals. This position assists with collection of quality metrics and analytics, with development of best practices and process improvement initiatives, as designated.
FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor’s degree
Experience
One year experience providing music therapy in medical population or two years experience providing music therapy in other populations
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
MT-BC - Music Therapist Board Certification (CBMT) - Certification Board for Music Therapists
BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to patient or employee safety or security
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
Exhibits excellent delivery of customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers; demonstrates ability to establish and maintain highly effective professional relationships with physicians
Ability to work independently
Completed advanced training in neurologic music therapy through the Robert F Unkefer Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy for positions in rehabilitation settings
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Promotes a positive work environment and leads to the team to be a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
- Responds positively to requests for assistance from customers, employees and visitors, using clear and professional communication to facilitate problem resolution.
- Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for retention/employee engagement, using peer-to-peer accountability.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Utilizes music therapy as part of patient’s complete and comprehensive evaluation to identify patient’s level of function, develop the plan of care and improve issues with emotional, psychological and cognitive well-being.
- Provides education to staff, patients and family members about music therapy services and relevant research through formal in-services and informal daily interactions.
- Coordinates aspects of patient care and development into the population-specific program through personalized interaction.
- Organizes and completes work efforts, as appropriate, to ensure the best possible delivery of service, contributing towards improving scores for patient satisfaction.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Documents clinical interactions in the electronic medical record system.
- Maintains a safe environment, following all policies and procedures for safety, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness and HIPAA.
- Participates in patient or team conferences in order to learn about discharge plans, treatment goals and medical concerns from the treatment team, and in order to contribute relevant progress and concerns from creative arts therapies perspective.
- Communicates team resource and performance improvement needs to ensure quality and customer service standards, impacting quality and safety department and hospital targets.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritizes daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members. Meets labor productivity standards by effectively managing established patient load assignments.
- Maintains accurate and complete documentation of patient interventions and education performed in a timely manner in the medical record. Accurately enters charges for services provided, as applicable.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Supports hospital and department goals by offering innovative solutions through participation in department projects. Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that improve quality or services. Assumes responsibility for self-growth and development by participating in in-services programs and continuing education, completing and updating the individual development plan (IDP) on an ongoing basis.
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE
- Uniform: No
- Scrubs: Yes
- Business professional: No
- Other (department approved): No
ON-CALL
- Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
- On Call: No
TRAVEL
Travel specifications may vary by department
- May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: Yes
- May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No
Company Profile:
Houston Methodist is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers. The health system consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the Texas Medical Center, seven community hospitals and one long-term acute care hospital throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Houston Methodist also includes a research institute; a comprehensive residency program; international patient services; freestanding comprehensive care clinics, emergency care and imaging centers; and outpatient facilities. Come lead with us!
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Entry Level Music Therapist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level music therapist job?
Start by completing your board certification (MT-BC) through the Certification Board for Music Therapists, since most employers require it even at the entry level. Highlight clinical internship hours, any practicum placements, and the populations you worked with. Candidates who can demonstrate hands-on experience with specific groups, such as pediatric, geriatric, or behavioral health patients, stand out at this stage far more than those with a generic resume.
Which companies hire entry level music therapists?
Companies hiring entry level music therapists right now include Optum, VITAS Healthcare, and AccentCare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, hiring tends to come from hospitals, rehabilitation centers, hospice organizations, school districts, and community mental health programs that have established music therapy departments and regularly onboard new graduates.
Are there remote entry level music therapist jobs?
Yes, though most music therapist roles involve in-person patient contact. About 0% of entry level music therapist openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and these positions typically involve telehealth sessions, program coordination, or administrative support rather than direct bedside care. Remote roles can be a good starting point for building clinical documentation and program design experience.
Are these new grad music therapist jobs?
Yes, this page includes new grad, recent graduate, and junior music therapist roles alongside other entry level listings. A posting is generally new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, counts supervised internship or practicum hours toward requirements, or asks for a portfolio of clinical work rather than prior employment. Look for language like "new graduates encouraged to apply" or "internship experience considered."
Which industries hire the most entry level music therapists?
Entry Level music therapist roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Insurance, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive entry level hiring because they operate structured therapy programs with ongoing patient populations, creating consistent demand for credentialed new graduates who can step into supervised clinical roles.