State of Maryland

An Occupational Therapy Consultant is the advanced level of work providing consultation on the administration of Occupational Therapy programs and practices, rehabilitation programs or allied health programs to a variety of health care administrators such as occupational therapists, directors of public and private health care institutions and program directors.  The work of this classification is performed in the headquarters of the Maryland Department of Health.   Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions .

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a health care administrator.   

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.

Provides occupational therapy, rehabilitation services, consultations and technical assistance concerning program development, planning and evaluation to healthcare administrators;

Advises local providers on service design, staffing patterns, appropriate funding mechanisms, program evaluation process and reviews, assessment of and existing programs and needs for future programs;

Provides interpretation of federal and State laws which affect the delivery of occupational therapy services and rehabilitation to health administrators and advisory boards;

Advises interdisciplinary staff in the development and program design of Individual Rehabilitation Plans and other clinical and administrative record keeping procedures;

Recommends to facility directors the development of programs to meet the needs of specific diagnostic or high risk populations and the resolution of staffing problems;

Reviews and drafts proposed legislation and regulations pertaining to rehabilitation standards and treatment, acquisition of rehabilitation and support services;

Monitors and evaluates ongoing grant programs;

Develops standards and protocols from regulations to be used in evaluating health services;

Provides in-service education on developing and setting rehabilitation goals, principals and policies;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of occupational therapy;

Knowledge of the abilities and disabilities common to the physically ill or disabled, developmentally disabled and mentally ill;

Knowledge of the principles and practices of therapy programming for the mentally ill, physically ill, aged, physically disabled or the developmentally disabled;

Knowledge of health care trends; Knowledge of psychiatric and physical illness;

Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology;

Knowledge of medications and their side effects;

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

Knowledge of licensure, rules, regulations and standards specific to health care services for public and private providers;

Knowledge of the principles and practices of health administration;

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

Skill in performance of occupational therapy evaluation and treatment;

Skill in planning, directing and organizing rehabilitation programs;

Ability to communicate effectively.

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

Experience: Five years of experience as an Occupational Therapist to include one year of experience supervising Occupational Therapists or functioning as a consultant.

Notes: 

1. Candidates for positions in this classification may substitute a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Occupational Therapy for two years of the general experience

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher as a commissioned officer in Therapy classifications or Therapy specialty codes in the Occupation Therapy field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience. 

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 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.