St. Croix Hospice logo
St. Croix Hospice
Palos Heights, Illinois

Music Therapist - Hospice

Counselor / TherapistFull-Time

Listed compensation

$25.5-$30/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 12m ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Job Location: Palos Heights IL - Palos Heights, IL
  • Position Type: Full Time
  • Salary Range: Undisclosed
  • Travel Percentage: 100%

Work Where You Matter! At St. Croix Hospice we guide patients and families through the end-of-life journey. Through compassionate care, we focus on our patient’s quality of life, empowering them to make the most of their time with dignity, comfort and respect.

If you are ready to be part of an extraordinary team of caregivers, then come work where you matter. Music Therapist Position Overview The Music Therapist provides music therapy services which meet the unique needs and preferences of each patient, identifying music with personal meaning and connection.

The music therapist works under the direction of the Manager of Clinical Services in collaboration with the patient’s RN Case Manager and according to the individualized Plan of Care.

Essential Functions and Skills Provides direct music therapy at the direction of the Clinical Supervisor or Manager of Clinical Services and in accordance with the plan of care. Assesses patient and referral for appropriate medical indication for services and performs assessment to determine effectiveness of therapy.

Treats patients to relieve symptoms and provide psychological, psychosocial, physical, and spiritual comfort.

Directs and aids patients through music therapy interventions to assist with alleviating symptoms of anxiety, agitation, restlessness, depression, pain, emotional distress (patient and family), spiritual distress, and social isolation.

Assists patients with needs regarding relaxation, communication, family support, anticipatory grief (patient and family), and interest in life legacy/review interventions.

Utilizes interventions such as relaxation, imagery, lyric analysis, song writing, reminiscence, entrainment, life review, receptive listening, and life legacy projects.

Observes and reports to the clinical supervisor or clinical director and the organization personnel the patient’s response to treatment and any changes in patient’s condition. Provides education and awareness to clinical team regarding appropriateness or contraindications for therapy treatment.

Maintains necessary records; clinical notes, problem charting, coordination notes, which will be incorporated into the patient’s clinical record within 24-48 hours of session and modified as needed. Participates in interdisciplinary group and organization in-service education program as needed.

Participate in the quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities as needed. Responsible for maintaining compliance with all HIPAA regulations and requirements. Treats all patient information as confidential and utilizes protected health information on a minimum necessary basis. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Requirements/Qualifications State Music Therapy License Ability to pass background, consumer report and drug test. Valid State Driver’s License, access to an automobile in good working order, automobile insurance in accordance with state and organizational requirements, and an acceptable driving record required. Preferred Completion and passing of the National Certification Exam (CBMT) credentials of MT-BC Music Therapy Board Certified. Physical

The physical requirements described are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made. Pushing/Pulling and Lifting/carrying up to 12 pounds. Occasionally up to 20 pounds.

Ability to adapt to a variety of work conditions to ensure the highest quality of patient care in a home setting. The hourly base range for this role is $25.50-$30.00 per hour.

An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: geographic location, relevant education, applicable certifications, depth of experience, and special skillsets.

The total compensation package for this position may also include the opportunity to participate in employee benefits including our medical/dental/vision/pet insurance, disability and life insurance, paid time off, and 401(k) retirement plans, subject to applicable plan terms, and/or eligibility for other compensation.

Key Responsibilities

The Music Therapist provides direct music therapy services to hospice patients to alleviate physical, emotional, and spiritual distress. They collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized plans of care while maintaining accurate clinical records.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a state music therapy license and have access to reliable transportation for 100% travel. Board certification (MT-BC) is preferred, along with the ability to pass background and drug screenings.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Certifications

Board Certification (preferred)

Key Skills

Patient assessmentSymptom managementPsychosocial supportClinical documentationInterdisciplinary collaborationHIPAA complianceCrisis interventionRelaxation techniquesPatient educationCare planning

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 56% are remote, 14% have no call, 66% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.0% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$53k–$62kMental Health Therapy median $54k (middle half $39k–$61k)13 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$58k in purchasing powerIllinois index 100.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in Illinois350 active7,945 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 56% remote · 14% no call · 66% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedIllinois Counselor listings: 15% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 19% offer loan repayment606 active listings, Oct 2026
Mental Health Therapy pay trend+2.0% vs prior quarter—through Sep 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Counselor Jobs

41 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

41 jobs · 30 employers
14
<$75k
11
$75k-90k
5
$90k-105k
2
$105k-120k
9
$120k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

39 jobs · 30 employers
401k / retirement match
87% this job
CME allowance
44%
Sign-on bonus
41%
Loan repayment
13%
PSLF eligible
10%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Dental Therapist

InterDent Service · Salem, Oregon

From $155k
#2

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist - LICSW/LPCC/LMFT

LifeStance Health · Saint Louis Park, Minnesota

$74k-$126k
#3

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)

$92k-$125k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)

$115k-$120k
+ 39 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,907 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

St. Croix Hospice logo

About St. Croix Hospice

Hospitals and Health Care
Mendota Heights, Minnesota
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Pet Insurance
Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
Paid Time Off
401k Retirement Plan

Living in Palos Heights

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$383k
Median resident rent
$2,558/mo
Residents’ average commute
30 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.