Virginia Cierniak, Ma, Lcat, Mt-Bc Email & Phone Number

Little Ferry, Nj, Us

Yonkers, Ny

o Conducted assessments and requested appropriate music therapy orders for residents.o Conducted group and individual sessions, addressing the specific needs of the resident or group.o Provided comprehensive support and advocacy for residents' psychosocial needs by incorporating cultural humility, utilizing a trauma-informed approach and palliative care principles.o Maintained documentation of music therapy sessions.o Completed quarterly reports and annual assessments.o Made heartbeat recordings for legacy building.o Prepared music for residents’ Celebration of Life.o Worked closely with Therapeutic Recreation to determine monthly programming needs for the unit.o Participated in transdisciplinary plan of care meetings.o Fostered effective communication by providing English-Spanish interpretation during family meetings.o Acted as the Palliative Care Liaison for the Marine Park neighborhood (unit).o Facilitated Palliative Care meetings for staff for education, information, processing, and support.o Conducted training sessions for team members leading staff support sessions following the passing of a resident.o Supervised music therapy practicum and internship students.o Collaborated with other Creative Arts Therapists on an innovative research project.

o Taught Music Therapy Practicum VI, Spring 2022.o Fostered a feeling of community, safety, and support through class discussions.o Provided feedback on student’s clinical writing.o Encouraged building of repertoire through the process of planning and sharing appropriate experientials for their clinical setting.o Addressed topics and concerns brought up by students.o Empowered students to advocate for their needs with their supervisors at the clinical placement site.o Conducted observation of practicum students across a variety of settings.o Provided feedback and evaluated students’ progress.

Yonkers, Ny

o Conducted assessments and requested appropriate music therapy orders for residents.o Conducted group and individual sessions, addressing the specific needs of the resident or group.o Provided comprehensive support and advocacy for residents' psychosocial needs by incorporating cultural humility, utilizing a trauma-informed approach and palliative care principles.o Maintained documentation of music therapy sessions.o Completed quarterly reports and annual assessments.o Made heartbeat recordings for legacy building.o Prepared music for residents’ Celebration of Life.o Worked closely with Therapeutic Recreation to determine monthly programming needs for the unit.o Participated in transdisciplinary plan of care meetings.o Fostered effective communication by providing English-Spanish interpretation during family meetings.o Supervised music therapy practicum and internship students.

o Populations: Children/Adolescents; Developmental Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mental Health.o Proposed, negotiated, and obtained contract with Care Management Organization.o Assessed clients, determined needs, established individualized goals and objectives, led individual and group music therapy sessions, and documented client progress.o Coordinated care with client parents/guardians.o Maintained detailed bookkeeping and inventory for the program.

Union City, Nj

o Worked with the executive and artistic directors of the program to organize group placements and scheduling.o Maintained detailed inventory of instruments and supplies, and organized student records.o Determined and assigned duties for site coordinators and teaching artists.o Supervised and managed the work of teaching artists and site coordinators.o Assumed partial Executive Director responsibilities during maternity leave (Spring 2018).

Union City, Nj

- Introduced the violin and gave classes to children in first through sixth grade.- Taught group classes and covered concepts such as violin position and posture, basic music theory and notation, and proper orchestra etiquette.- Focused on fulfilling program’s goals entailing inspiring and enriching students’ lives.- Worked with the executive and artistic directors of the program in organizing group placements, maintaining detailed inventory of instruments and supplies, and documenting student records.

Yonkers, Ny

- Supervisor: Kristen O’Grady, MA, LCAT, MT-BC. Population: medically fragile children, ages 0-21.- Planned and conducted group and individual sessions, addressing the specific needs of the child or group.- Maintained documentation of music therapy sessions as reflected in quarterly reports and assessments.- Participated in interdisciplinary plan of care meetings for each child seen for individual music therapy.- Attended in-services and professional development presentations, as well as weekly individual supervision.- Assisted in events such as memorial services, creative arts fest, a coffeehouse performance, among others.- Gave a Grand Rounds and a clinical status presentation (Living with a Rare Disease, Culture-Centered Music Therapy respectively).

Cedar Grove, Nj

- Supervisor: Julie Abrams, MT-BC. Population: Adult Psychiatry, Mental Health.- Observed, planned, and lead interventions for the “Music and Imagery” group.- Addressed goals such as increasing social interaction with peers, reducing social isolation, improving the sense of group cohesion, and emotional expression.

Livingston, Nj

- Supervisor: Melissa Santiago, MT-BC, CCLS. Population: Pediatric Patients. Pediatric Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Burn Unit.- Observed, planned, and lead individual and dyad sessions for children bedside, in the playroom, and in the tank room.- Addressed goals such as normalization of the hospital environment, improving coping skills, increasing social interaction, relaxation, procedural support, family support, emotional expression and support, and improving mobility.

White Plains, Ny

- Supervisor: Marlon Sobol, MT-BC. Population: Older Adults.- Observed, planned, and lead interventions for the “Spanish Club.”- Addressed goals such as exercising and maintaining mobility, reducing social isolation, relating with group members, and increasing level of awareness and orientation.

Master’S Degree, Music Therapy/Therapist

Bachelor’S Degree, Pre-Music Therapy

Activities and Societies: Spring 2013: Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society, Spring 2013: Indiana University Suma Cum Laude Graduate, 2010-2013.

Graduate Certificate, Palliative Care