Creative/Expressive Arts Specialist

Class Concept

Work in this class involves providing rehabilitative/habilitative services in an institution to clients (patients or residents) who have mental, social, physical, and/or emotional disabilities through the use of creative/expressive arts. The mediums which may be used include art, music, drama, or dance. Complexity in this class reflects knowledge required for these specialized mediums. The programs are generally geared toward socialization and the improvement of self-concept. Employees write progress notes and provide input into treatment team planning. Some employees may have responsibilities for facility-wide services such as music in which emphasis is on planning, coordinating, and scheduling within constraints of unit programming. Employees may also be involved in group and individual supportive counseling. Employees may provide consultation to other staff on establishing an environment conducive to the habilitation/ rehabilitation of population served. Employees may be involved in coordination and consultation with community resources in the use of Creative/Expressive Arts. Work may include other related assignments as determined by appropriate management. Employees report to a Creative/Expressive Arts Therapist or Supervisor.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the population served and of the medium area as required for the particular job.
• Considerable knowledge of fundamental principles, techniques, and methods of the creative/expressive arts field as it relates to the rehabilitative/habilitative process.
• Considerable knowledge of behavior management techniques.
• Ability to plan and conduct a program of leisure/therapeutic activities rehabilitative specific to the population served.
• Ability to evaluate and document progress and present to the treatment team.
• Ability to coordinate and instruct support staff in carrying out methods and techniques utilized in the creative/expressive arts field.
• Ability to establish rapport and relate to population served, families, community agencies and groups, and a variety of service disciplines (social workers, physicians, psychologists, teachers, nurses).
• Ability to improve quality of life through creative/expressive arts.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and a demonstrated knowledge of the medium being utilized; or a bachelor's degree in creative/expressive arts area (art, drama, music, dance) from an appropriately accredited institution; or Associate's degree in a human service field which includes a practicum or internship in a similar setting from an appropriately accredited institution with a demonstrated knowledge of the medium being utilized and two years of experience with a similar population; or High school or General Educational Development diploma and four years of experience in conducting programs with similar populations including a demonstrated knowledge of the medium being utilized; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.