DANCE THERAPIST

Code: 06534 Unknown Unknown

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, assists in the design and implementation of a dance therapy program; uses dance and other non-verbal techniques to accomplish treatment goals; plans movement activities to aide in the restoration, maintenance and improvement of disabled patients; does other related duties as required.

Under direction, plans and supervises programs and employees in providing social, recreational, and educational activities for senior citizens; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Works closely with professional and sub-professional staff members.
• Interprets patients' behavior, establishes treatment goals, methods of implementation and conditions for release.
• Plans, organizes and conducts prescribed dance and movement activities.
• Administers individual and/or group/movement treatment procedures as an integral part of an overall treatment plan or a primary treatment modality.
• Conducts psycho-therapy through movement and dance, focusing on non-verbal behavior.
• Combines traditional verbal therapy with a focus on a client's movement, posture, breathing and interpersonal interaction.
• Teaches and guides clients in utilizing the treatment activities of dance and movement therapy.
• Explains, demonstrates techniques and methods of regulating movements of body and feet musical or rhythmic accompaniment.
• Observes patient's movement to determine physical, emotional, perceptual and other limitations.
• Evaluates treatment and prepares report describing symptoms indicative of progress or regression.
• May devise testing instrumentality to determine patients' progress.
• Participates in professional and related meetings and conferences.
• Prepares reports.
• Maintains essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or related unit.
• Plans and supervises programs with existing social agencies that will enrich the lives of the elderly; such programs are concerned with problems such as idleness, irresponsibility, employment, unemployment, and adult illiteracy.
• Teaches methods of alleviating these problems by setting up social, recreational, and educational activities to assist elderly tenants in utilizing their spare time in creative involvements.
• Initiates, organizes, and supervises the administration of clubs, meetings, lectures, group excursions, and other group endeavors.
• Stimulates community awareness of older citizens and the need to include them in the ongoing life of the community.
• Works to prevent the social isolation of older adults and help them remain active and contributing members of society.
• Compiles, correlates, and reviews information regarding federal, state, and private foundation funds that are available to meet the needs of the elderly.
• Applies for funding of programs and ensures compliance with program objectives.
• Supervises the establishment of essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in dance-movement therapy or related field.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree.

Experience

Three (3) years of experience in programs serving senior citizens in the field of social work, public health, recreation, gerontology, psychology, and/or community organization work.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of various dance forms and movement, such as ballet, ballroom, tap, etc.
• Knowledge of the principle, techniques and application of movement and dance.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with approved dance/movement therapy principles, procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of the pathology of mental illness, behavior patterns and various psychological conditions in order to plan and carry out treatment plans.
• Ability to plan and direct activities of patients, individually or in groups.
• Ability to exercise necessary artistic dance skills when required in demonstrating and instructing dance and movement.
• Ability to evaluate the development, progress and performance of clients or patients.
• Ability to achieve and maintain empathy and rapport with physically and mentally disabled individuals.
• Ability to make use of dance and movement interaction as a basic for psycho-therapeutic intervention.
• Ability to prepare written and oral reports containing treatment progress notes.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODE: 12/06/1979
• <b>SUPERVISOR OF SENIOR CITIZEN ACTIVITIES</b>
• Knowledge of programs and problems pertaining to senior citizens.
• Knowledge of purposes, methods, and theories of modern gerontology and their application to specific situations.
• Knowledge of community agencies and resources available to senior citizens.
• Knowledge of methods and procedures used to apply for or utilize community resources.
• Ability to plan and supervise programs involving the social needs of the elderly.
• Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods.
• Ability to provide assignments and instructions to staff and supervise their work performance.
• Ability to provide employees with advice and assistance.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers and other involved in the work of the unit, families, individuals, and social organizations.
• Ability to prepare reports and correspondence.
• Ability to establish and maintain records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODE: 8/08/2015
• <b>DUAL TITLE CODE: </b>

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional experience as indicated below on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.

Possession of a Master's degree in any of the above fields may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.