State of Maryland

An Occupational Therapist Institutional is the intermediate level of work providing occupational therapy treatments to mentally ill, aged, physically ill, or physically disabled patients, or developmentally disabled clients in State residential treatment facilities. Employees in this classification are responsible for the assessment, planning and implementation of clients'/patients' occupational therapy treatment. Employees in this classification do not have supervisory responsibility for professional therapy staff but may oversee the work of Occupational Therapy Assistants and support staff.

Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision from an Occupational Therapist Supervisor or other licensed health professional. 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. Employees are required to observe infection control precautions and may be required to lift and move patients and equipment. Employees may be required to physically restrain clients/patients displaying violent and aggressive behavior.

Positions in this classification 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 Occupational Therapist Institutional is differentiated from the Occupational Therapist I in that the Occupational Therapist Institutional performs duties in a State residential treatment facility under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed while the Occupational Therapist I performs duties in a community-based program under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The Occupational Therapist Institutional is differentiated from the Occupational Therapist II in that the Occupational Therapist II performs the full range of duties in State inpatient, residential or vocational rehabilitation treatment facilities or community based programs under general supervision. 

Plans, develops and implements occupational therapy treatments for clients/patients of State residential treatment facilities;

Instructs individuals and groups in specific skills, such as social interaction, sensorimotor functions, basic tasks, grooming and hygiene, and independent daily living skills;

Studies, observes and records the reactions and progress of clients/patients;

Evaluates clients/patients in order to determine appropriate treatment or suitability of treatment program;

Assesses the functional level of clients/patients;

Develops and modifies occupational therapy programs based upon the needs of clients/patients;

Fits and instructs clients/patients in the use of orthotic and prosthetic devices;

Provides and instructs in the use of adaptive devices and compensation techniques;

Completes evaluation, progress and statistical reports concerning client/patient progress;

May be required to physically restrain patients displaying violent aggressive behavior;

May oversee the work of Occupational Therapy Assistants and support staff;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of principles and practices of occupational therapy;

Knowledge of human behavioral norms;

Knowledge of psychiatric and physical illnesses;

Knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and kinesiology;

Knowledge of medications and their side effects;

Knowledge of diseases and disabilities and their etiology, pathology, complications and prognoses;

Knowledge of medical, surgical, psychological and educational procedures used in the occupational therapy treatment of clients/patients;

Skill in recognizing changes in client/patient progress;

Skill in motivating clients/patients;

Skill in fitting orthotic and prosthetic devices and adapting equipment to the specific need of the client/patient;

Ability to plan, organize and direct occupational therapy treatments;

Ability to prepare and maintain reports;

Ability to communicate effectively with clients/patients, staff and the public.

Education:   Determined by the Maryland State Board of Occupational Therapy Practice under the licensing requirements for Occupational Therapists.

Experience: None.

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a current license as an Occupational Therapist from the Maryland State Board of Occupational Therapy Practice, Spring Grove Hospital Center, 55 Wade Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21228.

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

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

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 Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional 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 assigned to Bargaining Unit E, Health Care Professional classes.  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 all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.