📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Arts Therapist
🔹 Company: MultiCare Health System
🔹 Location: Tacoma, Washington
🔹 Job Type: Part-Time
🔹 Category: Health Care
🔹 Date Posted: July 14, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Providing therapeutic activities tailored to patients' unique needs
- Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to create holistic treatment plans
- Implementing evidence-based practices and creative interventions
- Conducting assessments and analyzing data to monitor progress
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, empathy, and strong interpersonal skills to effectively work with patients and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Conduct comprehensive assessments of patients' functional, behavioral, and emotional needs
✅ Develop and maintain data collection systems to monitor progress
✅ Analyze data to address ongoing patient needs and recommend program adjustments
✅ Utilize creative, individualized, evidence-based treatment approaches tailored to patients' needs
✅ Collaborate on and implement behavior support plans to improve outcomes
✅ Work with clinicians and interdisciplinary teams to ensure integrated, holistic progress aligned with clinical goals
✅ Maintain open communication with care providers, families, and staff to address progress and development
✅ Ensure timely and accurate documentation and reports
✅ Provide counseling to individuals and groups using strength-based, empathic, and creative modalities
ASSUMPTION: The therapist must be adaptable and able to work with a diverse range of patients, from children to seniors, and with various mental health and physical challenges.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Master’s Degree in a behavioral health related field or a bachelor’s degree in music therapy with applicable board certification
Experience: One (1) year of related experience, with knowledge of psychiatric patient care techniques with understanding of mental illness
Required Skills:
- Strong assessment and data analysis skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
- Creativity and adaptability in designing therapeutic activities
- Empathy and cultural responsiveness in working with diverse patients
Preferred Skills:
- Board certification in a related field (e.g., LCSW, LMFT, LMHC, MT-BC, ATR-BC, RDT, BC-DMT)
- Experience working with specific patient populations (e.g., children, seniors, individuals with developmental disabilities)
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, having experience in a hospital setting or with psychiatric patients would be beneficial for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $34.46 - $49.60 USD per hour. Pay is influenced by factors specific to applicants, including but not limited to: skill set, level of experience, and certification(s) and/or education.
Benefits:
- Medical
- Dental
- Retirement Benefits
- Paid Time Off
Working Hours: Variable, with a FTE of 0.01
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for entry-level creative arts therapists in the Pacific Northwest. However, the actual salary may vary based on the factors mentioned.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: MultiCare Health System operates in the health care industry, focusing on providing comprehensive, patient-centered care to communities across the Pacific Northwest.
Company Size: With over 10,000 employees, MultiCare is one of the largest community-based, locally governed health systems in Washington state. This size allows for diverse career opportunities and a strong support network.
Founded: MultiCare's roots in the Pacific Northwest go back to 1882, with the founding of Tacoma’s first hospital.
Company Description:
- MultiCare is a not-for-profit health care organization that provides a comprehensive range of services to patients throughout the Pacific Northwest.
- The organization is guided by its mission, vision, and values, which emphasize healing, partnership, and a commitment to the communities it serves.
- MultiCare offers a wide range of services, including hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, and specialty services, to ensure access to quality care for all patients.
Company Specialties:
- Hospital and health care services
- Non-profit organization management
- Health system operations
- Doctor and medical services
Company Website: http://jobs.multicare.org
ASSUMPTION: MultiCare's extensive experience and commitment to the communities it serves make it a stable and reputable employer in the health care industry.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is an entry-level position, offering the opportunity to gain experience working with a diverse range of patients and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team.
Reporting Structure: The creative arts therapist will report to the department head or manager of the relevant clinical department (e.g., psychiatry, rehabilitation, or pediatrics).
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site, part-time position with a FTE of 0.01, allowing for flexible scheduling.
Growth Opportunities:
- As the therapist gains experience and demonstrates proficiency, they may have the opportunity to take on more responsibilities or specialize in a specific patient population.
- MultiCare offers professional development opportunities, such as training and workshops, to help employees grow in their careers.
- With experience, the therapist may advance to a full-time position or take on a supervisory or management role.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a good starting point for individuals interested in a career in creative arts therapy, with opportunities for growth and development within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: This role is based in a hospital setting, with a focus on inpatient care.
Office Location(s): Tacoma General Hospital, 315 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, WA 98415, US
Geographic Context:
- Tacoma is a mid-sized city located in the Puget Sound region of Washington state, offering a mix of urban and suburban living.
- The city is known for its vibrant arts scene, historic neighborhoods, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
- Tacoma is located approximately 30 miles south of Seattle, providing easy access to the cultural and economic hub of the Pacific Northwest.
Work Schedule: The work schedule for this position is variable, with the therapist working as needed to meet the demands of the inpatient population.
ASSUMPTION: The hospital setting may be fast-paced and demanding at times, requiring the therapist to be adaptable and able to manage multiple priorities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or department head
- Background check and reference check
- Job offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Clinical skills and knowledge of creative arts therapy techniques
- Ability to work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team
- Cultural competency and responsiveness
- Adaptability and flexibility in working with diverse patient populations
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and skills in your resume, particularly any experience working with psychiatric patients or in a hospital setting.
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and your enthusiasm for working with MultiCare.
- Prepare examples of creative arts therapy interventions you have used or developed to showcase your clinical skills.
ATS Keywords: Creative Arts Therapy, Inpatient Care, Psychiatric Patient Care, Multidisciplinary Team, Evidence-Based Practices, Data Analysis, Counseling, Cultural Responsiveness, Holistic Treatment
ASSUMPTION: MultiCare uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, so including relevant keywords in your resume and cover letter can help your application stand out.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Electronic health records (EHR) system
- Data analysis software (e.g., Excel, SPSS)
- Creative arts therapy materials and equipment
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with electronic health records and data analysis software may be beneficial for this role, but specific training will be provided as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Respect
- Integrity
- Stewardship
- Excellence
- Collaboration
- Kindness
- Joy
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
- Culturally responsive and inclusive
- Compassionate and empathetic
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you share MultiCare's commitment to healing and partnership for a healthy future?
- Are you able to work effectively with diverse patient populations and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team?
- Do you embody MultiCare's values, particularly respect, kindness, and joy, in your work?
ASSUMPTION: MultiCare places a strong emphasis on cultural fit and values-driven behavior, so applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their alignment with the organization's core values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The hospital setting can be demanding and fast-paced, requiring the therapist to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Working with a diverse range of patients can be emotionally taxing, so self-care and stress management skills are essential.
- The therapist may need to adapt their interventions based on patients' unique needs and cultural backgrounds, which can be challenging at times.
- The role may require working with patients who have complex or severe mental health conditions, which can be difficult to manage.
ASSUMPTION: While these challenges exist, MultiCare offers a supportive work environment and resources to help employees manage the demands of the role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other creative arts therapist positions in hospitals and health care settings, but may offer more flexibility in scheduling and a greater focus on inpatient care.
- Compared to other roles in the health care industry, this position may require more adaptability and cultural responsiveness, given the diverse patient population served by MultiCare.
- Career progression in this role may follow a similar path to other creative arts therapists, with opportunities for specialization or advancement to management roles.
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other creative arts therapist positions, its unique focus on inpatient care and the diverse patient population served by MultiCare set it apart.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a therapeutic group program for patients with anxiety disorders, using creative arts techniques to improve coping skills and reduce symptoms.
- Collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to create a behavior support plan for a patient with dementia, using creative arts interventions to improve communication and reduce agitation.
- Conducting a needs assessment of the inpatient population to identify gaps in creative arts therapy services and developing recommendations for program improvement.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the creative and collaborative nature of the role, as well as the therapist's ability to work with diverse patient populations and adapt interventions to meet their unique needs.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the interdisciplinary team I will be working with and how we will collaborate to ensure holistic patient care?
- How does MultiCare support the professional development and growth of creative arts therapists?
- Can you provide an example of a patient with unique needs or cultural background, and how the team worked together to provide effective care?
- What opportunities are there for growth and advancement within the creative arts therapy department or the organization as a whole?
- How does MultiCare ensure a positive and supportive work environment for its employees?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate the applicant's interest in the role, the organization, and the opportunity for professional growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight your relevant experience and skills, particularly any experience working with psychiatric patients or in a hospital setting.
- Write a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your enthusiasm for working with MultiCare.
- Prepare examples of creative arts therapy interventions you have used or developed to showcase your clinical skills.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
