State of Maryland

An Art Therapist Supervisor is the supervisory level of work assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating art therapy treatment to rehabilitate mentally ill, aged, physically ill, physically disabled patients or developmentally disabled clients. Employees in this classification supervise lower-level Art Therapists and may supervise Activity Therapy Associates, Direct Care Assistants, students and volunteers assigned to the art therapy program.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Director of Activity Therapy or other healthcare professional. The work is usually performed in State treatment facilities or community-based programs. Employees may be assigned to day, evening, night or rotating shifts which may include holidays and weekends. Employees may be subject to call-in and overtime based staffing needs. Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and spread of disease. Employees may be required to physically restrain patients/clients displaying violent aggressive behavior. The work may require lifting and moving of patients/clients and equipment. The work may require long periods of standing, walking, bending and reaching.

Positions in this class are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of a class specification.

The Art Therapist Supervisor is  differentiated from the Art Therapist II in that the Art Therapy Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Art Therapists while the Art Therapist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Supervises lower-level Art Therapists and other assigned staff;

Plans, designs, implements and evaluates art psychotherapy programs in accordance with patients’/clients’ needs, capabilities and interests;

Observes patient/client behavior during art therapy treatment programs in order to assess and document progression or regression in treatment;

Determines appropriate art psychotherapy for individual or group therapy;

Conducts group and individual art psychotherapy by encouraging participation and self-expression of patients/clients through the symbolic and creative art process;

Prepares and maintains documentation of patient/client progress;

Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings by providing input into treatment and discharge plans;

Orders and maintains art supplies and equipment;

Trains student interns to assess patient/client capabilities and to plan, design and implement art therapy treatment;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the theory and practice of art psychotherapy;

Knowledge of psychology theories and methods; Knowledge of the limitations, capabilities and problems common to developmentally disabled clients and mentally ill patients;

Skill in applying art psychotherapy techniques;

Skill in assessing behavior, aptitude and performance of patients/clients and providing interpretive information;

Skill in determining and developing an effective treatment plan in art psychotherapy for patients/clients;

Ability to communicate effectively with patients/clients and staff;

Ability to motivate patients/clients;

Ability to work as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team;

Ability to supervise lower-level therapists and other assigned staff.

1. Candidates placed in this classification must be licensed by the Maryland State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists as a Clinical Professional Art Therapist (LCPAT).

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties may be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

3. Employees in this classification may be required to successfully complete cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and maintain current certification.

4. Employees in this classification assigned to facilities with a swimming pool may be required to obtain Red Cross instruction and certification in Life Saving and Water Safety prior to permanent appointment.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions. Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit as indicated by the designation of S (supervisor), M (manager), T (agency head), U (Board or Commission member), W (student), X (Used by agency or excluded by executive order), or Z (confidential). As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and therefore, all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.