Art Therapist Masters

• Develops, plans, implements and evaluates art therapy programming as means to assist individuals in reaching treatment goals or through behavioral, emotional and learning issues.
• Individualizes programming for individuals as needed and adapts treatment goals in response to individual’s progress and/or changes in functioning. Facilitates sessions with focus on appropriate treatment goals. Evaluates programming on an ongoing basis and formulates plan for improvement as needed.
• Incorporates a working knowledge of psychological theory and therapeutic interventions and principles with a thorough understanding of the creative process.
• Provides initial and ongoing evaluations of the individual’s overall psychosocial functioning. Evaluations made within the context of individual and families’ medical, emotional, social, and cultural concerns. Monitors individual’s behavior and intervenes appropriately in a safe manner, using de-escalation techniques.
• Considers medical diagnosis, history, treatment, medications, as well as behavioral and affective presentation, to identify areas of psychosocial need.
• Identifies coping methods, overall communication, and personal strengths, and individual/family support systems.
• Completes all documentation in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Participates in treatment plan formulation with the interdisciplinary team in treatment plan formulation by contributing to the assessment of the individual’s needs from a psychosocial activity point of view.
• Maintains art supplies.
• Maintains awareness of and works within Hospital, State of Wisconsin and JCAHO standards of practice. Adheres to ethics and standards of the American Art Therapy Association when providing treatment Interventions.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department’s policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• None Required.

Education Required:

• Master’s Degree in Art Therapy.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 3 years of experience in art therapy activities including experience in a behavioral health setting.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Working knowledge of a variety of expressive activities including body image, self-awareness, self-esteem, masks, clay work and other media.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to function in a multidisciplinary setting.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Will frequently be required to lift up to 50 pounds without assistance.
• Will occasionally be required to lift over 50 pounds with assistance.
• May be exposed to the following hazards: mechanical, electrical, chemical, blood and body fluids.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, squat, bend, and reach above shoulders and twist.
• Must be able to restrain and control individuals who are outwardly psychotic or physically combative.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.