State of Maryland

A Music Therapist Supervisor is the supervisory level of work performing music therapy in the treatment of mentally ill, aged, physically ill or physically disabled patients, or developmentally disabled clients 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 supervise lower-level Music Therapists.  Employees in the classification may oversee the work of Activity Therapy Associates, Direct Care Assistants, students and volunteers assigned to the music therapy program.              

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a 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.  These employees are 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 non-ambulatory patients/clients and lifting 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.               T

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

Plans, evaluates and coordinates the work of lower-level Music Therapists and other assigned staff;

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;

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

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 developmentally disabled clients and/or mentally ill patients;

Skill in applying music therapy techniques;

Skill in communicating with mentally ill patients, developmentally disabled clients, and staff;

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

Skill in determining and developing 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;

Ability to plan, evaluate and coordinate the work of lower-level therapists and other assigned staff.

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

Experience: Two years of experience performing music therapy work in the treatment of mentally ill, aged, physically ill or physically disabled patients or developmentally disabled clients.

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. Additional 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 experience and 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 this classification 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 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).  This classification is supervisory and exempt from bargaining. 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 collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.