State of Maryland

A Music Therapist I is the intermediate level of work performing music therapy in the treatment of patients that have behavioral health diagnoses, are aged, physically ill, or have physical disabilities, or clients with developmental disabilities who are residents of State treatment facilities or community-based programs. The work of this classification includes the responsibility for assessment, planning and implementation of patients’/clients’ music therapy treatment. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision from a Music Therapist Supervisor, Director of Activity Therapy or other health care professional. Employees may be assigned to day, evening or rotating shifts which may include holidays and weekends. Employees may be subject to call-in and overtime based on 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 positioning of nonambulatory patients/clients and lifting of wheelchairs and other heavy equipment. The work may require long periods of standing, walking, bending and reaching.

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 the class specifications.

The Music Therapist I and the Music Therapist II are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees. The Music Therapist I performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed. The Music Therapist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

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

Observes patient/client reaction to music stimulus in order to record progression or regression in treatment;

Determines appropriate method of musical involvement for individual or group therapy;

Conducts group and individual music therapy sessions by encouraging participation and providing musical instruction;

Assesses patient/client needs and capabilities in order to place patient/client in the appropriate music therapy group program or determine the type of individual program needed;

Prepares and maintains documentation of patient/client progress;

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

Orders and maintains supplies and equipment;

May assist Art Therapists, Dance Therapists or Therapeutic Recreators with patient/client activities as needed;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the theory and practice of music psychotherapy;

Knowledge of psychology;

Knowledge of the limitations, capabilities and problems common to patient/clients that have developmental disabilities or behavioral health diagnoses;

Skill in applying music therapy techniques;

Skill in communicating with patient/clients that have developmental disabilities or behavioral health diagnoses, and staff;

Ability to assess behavior, aptitude and performance of patients/clients;

Ability to determine and develop an effective treatment plan in music psychotherapy for patients/clients;

Ability to motivate patients/clients;

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

Education: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in music therapy from an accredited college or university.

Experience: None.

Notes:

1. Current certification as a Music Therapist from the American Music Therapy Association or the Certification Board for Music Therapists may be substituted for the required education.

2. Four years of experience as a professional music therapist, under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist, licensed Physical Therapist or certified Activity Therapist, which included the responsibility for clients’ assessments and the planning, implementation and evaluation of clients’ music therapy treatment in a mental health or developmental disability setting may be substituted for the required education. Experience assisting in these responsibilities will not be accepted as qualifying experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Therapy classification or Therapy specialty codes in the Music Therapy field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

1. 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.

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

3. Employees in positions at facilities with a swimming pool may be required to obtain Red Cross instruction and certification in Life Saving and Water Safety.

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 assigned to Bargaining Unit E, Health Care Professional classes.  As provided by the 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.  

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series. NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of  supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

June 3, 2024