State of Maryland

An Occupational Therapy Assistant I is the intermediate level of work providing limited occupational therapy treatments to patients/clients under the direction of an occupational therapist at State treatment or rehabilitation facilities or community based programs. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision from an Occupational Therapist. Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and the spread of disease and may be required to lift and move patients and equipment. Employees may be required to physically restrain patients/clients displaying violent 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 Therapy Assistant I and the Occupational Therapy Assistant II are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees. The Occupational Therapy Assistant 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 Occupational Therapy Assistant II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Carries out individual occupational therapy treatment plans that have been developed by an Occupational Therapist;

Instructs patients and monitors their response to treatment in activities of daily living such as grooming, feeding, dressing, homemaking, using a telephone and using public transportation;

Constructs and adjusts assistive/adaptive equipment to suit the specific needs of needs of individual patients/clients and instructs patients/clients, families and other staff in its care and use;

Documents patient/client progress by adding to and maintaining ongoing records such as daily and monthly statistical sheets, progress notes, and annual progress reports;

Positions and exercises patients/clients based upon knowledge of the patient/ client condition and the individual treatment plan;

Maintains inventory of supplies and equipment used in treatment;

Assists the occupational therapist during tests, evaluations and complex treatment procedures;

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

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles and techniques of occupational therapy;

Knowledge of the care and maintenance of the equipment used in occupational therapy;

Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology;

Knowledge of the limitations and capabilities associated with developmental disabilities and mental or physical illness;

Skill in fabrication and adaption of prosthetic and assistive equipment to meet the unique needs of individual patients/clients;

Ability to carry out occupational therapy techniques;

Ability to instruct patients/clients in therapeutic exercise and daily living skills;

Ability to observe patient/client for possible progression or regression;

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

Ability to maintain statistical records and prepare progress reports.

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

Experience: None.

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a current license as an Occupational Therapy Assistant 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 cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and maintain current certification.

3. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of an automobile. 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 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 D, Health and Human Service Nonprofessionals 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.             

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation. An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions             Article, Section 8-305.    

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.