Music Therapy Intern

Are you interested in a Music Therapy internship at Park Nicollet? Come join us and help us make an impact on the care and experience that our patients and their families receive every day.

The Music Therapy Intern provides music therapy sessions for patients in accordance with American Music Therapy Association National Roster Internship guidelines. Under the supervision of music therapists and the internship director, the intern determines and utilizes appropriate music therapy approaches to aid in the restoration, maintenance, and improvement of psychosocial, physical, or spiritual health. The intern delivers patient and family‑focused care under the direction of staff music therapists.

Program Structure

Music Therapy Interns will gain experience in facilitating group and individual music therapy sessions in a variety of clinical settings across the Park Nicollet and Health Partners Health Care Network, including:

• One inpatient hospital setting: Methodist Hospital, Regions Hospital, or Lakeview Hospital
• Frauenshuh Cancer Center and/or Regions Cancer Center
• Park Nicollet Home Care Hospice or Health Partners Home Care Hospice
• Struthers Parkinson’s Center
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Harmonicas for Health program

Interns receive feedback and supervision from at least three music therapy internship supervisors, selected from a team of eight board‑certified supervisors, who have many years of experience and advanced training in the following approaches:

• Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music
• Music Imagery
• Neurologic Music Therapy
• Hospice Music Therapy
• Music Psychotherapy
• Medical Music Therapy
• Creative Arts Therapy approaches, such as Mandalas

Interns are gradually given caseloads and responsibilities, including documentation in EPIC, participation in interdisciplinary team meetings, and administrative duties to prepare them to function as music therapists. Most internship locations focus on adult medical care, while Regions Hospital includes pediatric and NICU patients.

Internship Provisions and Benefits

• Stipend: $1,500 paid upon successful completion of the internship.
• Meals: 1–2 free meals in the hospital cafeteria each eight‑hour workday.
• Mileage: Reimbursement at the IRS yearly mileage rate for commuting to hospice patients’ homes; not paid for travel between other work locations.
• Living arrangements: Interns are responsible for their own accommodation; some community members offer low‑cost housing options.
• Transportation: Interns must provide their own vehicle.
• Hours and schedule: Six‑month, 1,000‑hour full‑time internship, Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with occasional evening or weekend participation.
• Time Off: Up to 48 hours (6 days) of personal time off available during the internship.
• Communications technology: Laptops, iPads, work cell phones, EPIC access, voicemail, on‑site computers, and individual e‑mail accounts.
• Music instruments: Portable electric piano keyboards, guitars, rhythm and Orff instruments, and songbook resources.
• Library access: Free use of the hospital’s medical library.
• Discounts: Employee discounts on eyewear, fitness center, and Methodist Hospital Gift Shop.
• Educational and conference opportunities: Up to 24 hours credit for conferences and workshops; in‑services available on site.
• Health benefits: Interns must carry their own health insurance; emergency medical care may be arranged but no workers’ compensation.

Pre‑requisites and Required Qualifications

• Completed a four‑year or master’s degree in Music Therapy at an AMTA‑approved program.
• Capable of providing personal transportation between multiple daily work locations.
• Able to carry and transport music therapy equipment to homes of hospice patients.
• Can set up or rearrange clients’ home environments to facilitate therapy.
• Pre‑induction criminal background check and health assessment required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent proficiency on piano or guitar and good proficiency on at least one other chordal accompaniment instrument.
• Good vocal skills—pleasant tone and accurate pitch.
• Ability to sight‑read music from a fake book with adequate proficiency.
• Ability to independently assess and treat patients who may be non‑verbal, unresponsive, imminently dying, or have communication or cognitive impairments.
• Willingness to learn a large and varied repertoire to meet diverse cultural and religious needs.
• Strong verbal and written communication, listening, emotional maturity, and empathy.
• Willingness to collaborate with peer interns, supervisors, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Openness to receiving and integrating feedback for growth during the internship.
• Willingness to work with critically or terminally ill patients and families in emotional crises or high‑stress situations.
• Good time management, detail‑oriented, highly organized, and ability to follow through on tasks.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or disability.