Healthcare Musician Training
Coventry & Warwickshire
We are
recruiting Musicians
We are recruiting four (4) experienced musicians who are curious about using music in a Children’s hospital setting to support young people’s wellbeing for a pilot programme.
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) and OPUS Music CIC are collaborating to develop and support a local, environmentally sustainable approach to music-making on the children’s wards at UHCW.
Although this recruitment is intentionally local, we are aware that there are talented musicians within the Coventry commuter belt. If this opportunity speaks to you, you have the essential skills and you are happy to travel to UHCW in Coventry, we would love to hear from you even if you live a little further away.
Successful applicants will join a structured training pathway to develop the skills and confidence needed to work safely and effectively within the Hospital’s Children’s clinical spaces which are situated at University Hospital, Coventry.
Please note that this pilot programme is with UHCW and, although OPUS will be engaging you as Healthcare Musicians to work on this pilot, you will be under an honorary contract with UHCW.
What is a Healthcare Musician?
Healthcare Musicians work on wards using live, responsive music to support connection, wellbeing and human interaction. This is not traditional performance. It is about meeting people where they are and using music flexibly and sensitively to create moments of engagement, calm, stimulation or shared expression. The role complements clinical care by focusing on the cultural and social experience of young patients.
Who are OPUS Music CIC?
Our vision: Music as an intrinsic part of health and social care, everywhere.
Our mission: To champion the use of music to connect and transform the lives of all people within health and social care.
What does a Healthcare Musician do?
As a Healthcare Musician, you will deliver live music on Children’s hospital wards, responding to the needs, preferences and energy of patients, families and staff. You will initiate and shape musical interactions that may involve listening, improvising, singing, playing familiar songs or co-creating new music. Sessions may take place at the bedside, in shared bays or communal ward spaces.
You will build professional relationships with ward staff and work in line with all Trust policies, including infection prevention, safeguarding and confidentiality.
About Training
The UHCW Healthcare Musician in training will participate fully in the structured training programme and demonstrate a willingness to develop the specific skills required for Children’s hospital-based practice.
As the training progresses, they will plan and deliver ward-based music making sessions, while remaining supported by online mentoring. Healthcare Musicians will use their skills to deliver up to ten responsive music sessions on Children’s hospital wards between September 2026 to April 2027.
All Healthcare Musicians will complete mandatory training and always adhere to health and safety guidance. They will engage in ongoing reflection and professional development to ensure safe, compassionate and high-quality practice on the wards.
This training and mentoring will be delivered by OPUS Music CIC as part of a partnership with UHCW, partly funded by Arts Council England.
Person specification
We actively welcome applications from musicians of all backgrounds and lived experiences. The Hospital serves a richly varied community, with patients, families, visitors and staff from many cultures, identities and walks of life.
We want our Healthcare Musicians to reflect the breadth and character of the people who reside within the hospital each day. A range of perspectives, musical influences and personal experiences strengthens our work and helps us create meaningful and relevant connections on the wards.
If you feel your background or journey has shaped the way you relate to others through music, we would value hearing from you.
Essential Skills
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Musical Ability
- You have strong, hands-on experience of making music. Music is something you actively do and genuinely care about.
- You play a portable musical instrument and/or use voice with the flexibility to play/sing quietly when required. Wind instrument players need to have another option (which could include voice) should they need to deliver practice whilst wearing a mask.
- You can make music confidently without relying on written notation.
- You can create music with people who may not have any musical training.
Creative Ability
- You are flexible in your music making and can adjust in the moment depending on how someone responds.
- You listen closely and can sense the mood and energy of individuals or groups.
- You understand what a person-centred approach means and why it matters in music making. If this is new to you, you are open to learning about it.
- You see music as a way to connect with people and are willing to use it in that way.
Interpersonal Skills
- You understand that music can support someone’s wellbeing.
- You feel open to adapting your approach to match a participant’s behaviour and energy to build connection.
- You can separate yourself from the response to your music.
- You are open to allowing participants to influence and shape the music, rather than sticking rigidly to your own ideas.
- You are sensitive to the needs of a wide range of people, including those who may be vulnerable.
- You show empathy, patience, respect and consideration for others.
- You are willing to complete all required training and follow guidance from the Music Manager and OPUS Music CIC’s trainers/mentors.
Communication Skills
- You can adapt how you communicate in sensitive situations, both through what you say and how you say it.
- You speak professionally with participants, including health and care staff.
- You have a warm, positive and approachable manner.
- You listen well and can follow clear direction.
Desirable Skills
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Thinking and Reflection
- You are willing to try different techniques and approaches in order to support positive changes in a participant’s health and wellbeing.
Desire To Learn
- You have a genuine interest in music in health and care settings and the difference it can make to patient wellbeing.
- You value developing your knowledge and understanding in this area.
Musical Ability
- You are able and willing to draw upon music from a range of influences.
- You have experience of global music traditions, with a commitment to reflecting and celebrating diverse cultural communities.
Geographic Location
- You live within a 30mile radius of University Hospital, Coventry.
Renumeration and benefits
Successful candidates will receive:
- Healthcare Musician training (at no cost – usually valued at over £600)
This will be done over two in-person days at UHCW Coventry, as well as six online sessions with a tutor (which will take place between June and August, yet to be scheduled)
- 10 x Healthcare Musician shifts on a Children’s ward at UHCW
These will be half day shifts paid at £155.25 and will take place between September 2026 to April 2027, as scheduled by UHCW.
Key Dates and Availability
Please note the following dates associated with this role. Applicants should ensure they are available for each stage of the process:
Interviews: Week Commencing 8 June
Interviews will take place in-person at UHCW Coventry Hospital.
Appointment Process: June – August
Successful candidates will complete an NHS Honorary contract process which might include identity verification, right to work checks, references, DBS and criminal record screening as well as some mandatory training elements.
Online Training: June – August
6 x 2hr sessions will take place during the onboarding period. This training will be delivered remotely by OPUS trainers. Attendance is required in order to qualify for the pilot.
If there are specific dates during this period that you will not be able to attend, please make this information known within your application.
In-person Training: Early September (dates TBC)
This two-day in-person session will take place at UHCW Coventry Hospital. Attendance is essential in order to qualify for the pilot.
How to Apply
Please click the button to download the Role Description and for more information about OPUS and how to apply.
OPUS Music CIC is committed to upholding the aims and principles set out in our Equality Policy, including ensuring we do not discriminate under the Equality Act 2010.
To help us better understand the diversity of applicants for our Healthcare Musician roles, we invite you to complete this EDI monitoring form. Completion is entirely voluntary, and you may choose to skip any questions you prefer not to answer.
All information provided will be treated confidentially and used only in an anonymised way to support our understanding of the diversity within our organisation. It will not be linked to your application or used as part of the recruitment process.
If you have any questions about the form, please contact genny@opusmusic.org.
Please send your CV and a cover letter to Genny@opusmusic.org by 6pm on Monday 18 May.
We will also accept video/audio submissions (up to 3mins) which can be sent either as a link (e.g. YouTube or Vimeo) or via a third party email (e.g. dropbox/wetransfer).
Your cover letter or video/audio file should clearly address the criteria listed above and explain how your experience and skills meet them. Applications that address the criteria directly will be given the strongest consideration.
Shortlisted candidates should be prepared for music-making (with instrument and/or voice) on the day of the interview.
