Occupational Therapist PRN

University of Maryland Medical System; Aberdeen (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Maryland Medical System is seeking an Occupational Therapist PRN to deliver quality occupational therapy services. This role involves evaluating patient needs, developing treatment plans, and enhancing patient wellbeing.

The ideal candidate will hold a Master's degree, possess a License in Maryland, and have a strong background in behavioral health. Responsibilities include patient assessments, documentation, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to ensure optimal care.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required; Bachelor's accepted if licensed prior to 2008.
• One year of relevant experience preferred.
• Licensed Occupational Therapist in the state of Maryland.

Responsibilities

• Perform occupational therapy services to promote patient health and well-being.
• Develop individualized treatment plans for patients with various needs.
• Document patient progress and treatment interventions accurately.

Skills

Behavioral Health experience

Patient communication

Therapeutic intervention techniques

Team collaboration

Time management

Education

Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy

Licensed Occupational Therapist in Maryland

Tools

Electronic medical records (EMR/EHR)

Therapeutic equipment

Job description

Job Summary

Must have experience in Behavioral Health. Delivers occupational therapy services through the evaluation of patient needs, goal determination, and development of treatment plans according to the principles and practices of occupational therapy.

Job Information

• Job Title: Occupational Therapist PRN
• Job Code: 50142
• Job Family: Rehabilitation Therapy
• Member Organization: COMMON
• FLSA: Non-exempt
• Date Created: 3/9/2025
• Pay Grade: Flat Rate

Primary Responsibilities

• Performs occupational therapy services to patients in accordance with generally accepted occupational therapy standards, Maryland State Board Practice, code of ethics, and departmental and/or organizational policies and procedures.
• Performs patient assessments and develops individualized treatment plan programs for clients/patients to promote health, well-being, and the patient’s ability to participate in the important activities in their life. Develops and maintains long- and short-term treatment objectives and re-evaluates and modifies treatment programs as necessary.
• Records patient evaluations, re-evaluations and care provided in the medical record, in accordance with departmental documentation standards.
• Informs patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members of evaluation results and plan for treatment and refers for further evaluation.
• Plans and provides therapy education and counseling to individuals.
• Provides mentorship and training to clinical team members and/or students as eligible based on departmental needs.
• Participates in performance improvement activities and suggests areas for improvement to colleagues in a tactful and considerate manner. Proposes performance improvement topics and alternate treatment techniques to improve therapy services.
• Reports clinical and operational issues to departmental leadership and assists in their resolution to assure high quality care and efficient departmental operations.
• Demonstrates interdisciplinary, safe, patient-centered care and delivers excellent customer service.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education & Experience – Required

• Education: Master’s degree required. Bachelor’s degree accepted if licensed prior to 2008.
• Experience: One year of experience preferred.
• Licensure/Certifications:
  • Licensed Occupational Therapist in the state of Maryland
  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to access, review, and integrate information from a variety of sources to develop a treatment plan.
• Strong verbal, written, and non-verbal communication skills, including the ability to instruct others.
• Interpersonal skills to establish and maintain rapport with patients as part of the therapeutic relationship.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse healthcare team.
• Ability to manage time and set priorities according to the demands of the job.
• Ability to conceptualize and problem-solve in the management of the patient.
• Ability to break down functional tasks to achieve patient-centered goals.
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members and patients.
• Ability and willingness to adapt hours of availability to variable and changing needs of the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with patients and team members.
• Ability to effectively use various pieces of medical and therapeutic equipment.

Behavioral Health – Inpatient & Outpatient

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial and functional assessments.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans for mental health populations.
• Deliver evidence-based interventions (CBT-informed strategies, DBT skills, trauma-informed care).
• Facilitate therapeutic groups (coping skills, life skills, stress management, social skills).
• Address activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs) in behavioral health settings.
• Support emotional regulation, self-management, and adaptive coping strategies.
• Perform risk assessments and recognize signs of crisis or decompensation.
• Utilize sensory modulation and sensory-based interventions for emotional regulation.

Behavioral Health Expertise

• Knowledge of DSM diagnoses (e.g., depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD).
• Experience with co-occurring disorders (mental health + substance use).
• Understanding of recovery-oriented and person-centered care models.
• Application of trauma-informed care principles.
• Familiarity with psychotropic medications and their functional impacts.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Strong therapeutic communication and rapport-building skills.
• Ability to engage patients with diverse backgrounds and needs.
• Skilled in motivational interviewing.
• Effective collaboration with interdisciplinary teams (nursing, psychiatry, social work, case management).
• Provide patient and family education.

Program Development & Facilitation

• Design and lead structured therapeutic programming.
• Develop group curricula and psychoeducational materials.
• Adapt interventions to varied cognitive and emotional levels.
• Promote community reintegration and discharge planning.

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete timely, accurate clinical documentation.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory standards (Joint Commission, CMS, state regulations).
• Participate in treatment team meetings and care coordination.
• Support quality improvement initiatives.

Critical Thinking & Organization

• Strong clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize in fast-paced behavioral health environments.
• Manage caseloads effectively.
• Adapt to changing patient needs and acuity levels.

Safety & Crisis Management

• Skilled in de-escalation techniques.
• Maintain therapeutic safety and boundaries.
• Knowledge of suicide prevention protocols and crisis intervention.
• Ability to respond appropriately in acute psychiatric situations.

Preferred / Bonus Skills

• Experience in inpatient psychiatry, outpatient behavioral health, or partial hospitalization (PHP/IOP).
• Experience with group therapy leadership.
• Familiarity with electronic medical records (EMR/EHR systems).

Optional Soft Skills

• Empathy and compassion.
• Cultural competence.
• Flexibility and resilience.
• Strong ethical practice.
• Team-oriented mindset.

Physical Requirements

• Walking – Frequently
• Crawling – Occasionally
• Sitting – Occasionally
• Reaching – Frequently
• Standing – Frequently
• Handling – Frequently
• Reclining – Occasionally
• Fingering – Frequently
• Carrying – Frequently
• Feeling – Frequently
• Climbing – Occasionally
• Talking – Constantly
• Balancing – Frequently
• Hearing – Constantly
• Stooping – Frequently
• Tasting – N/A
• Bending – Frequently
• Smelling – N/A
• Kneeling – Frequently
• Driving – Occasionally
• Crouching – Frequently

Maximum Lbs

• Lifting – Exertion of force required for participating in patient care (100+ lbs, Frequently).
• Pushing – Exertion of force required to move an object (26‑50 lbs, Frequently).
• Pulling – Exertion of force required to move an object (26‑50 lbs, Frequently).

Visual Demand

• Near Acuity – Required
• Far Acuity – Required
• Field of Vision – Required
• Color Vision – Required
• Depth Perception – Required

Equipment and Tools

• Standard Office Equipment (computer, telephone)
• Medical Instruments/Equipment (syringe, forceps, needles, lab tools)
• Power Tools (e.g., saw, drill, hammer) – Not required
• Other Equipment – Not specified

Working Conditions

• Standard Office Environment
• Wet and/or Humid Conditions
• Laboratory Environment – Not required
• Extreme temperatures (hot or cold) – Not required
• Weekend, shift work, on call, holidays, and overtime
• Inclement Weather
• Patients with tendencies for violent outbursts
• Noise/Vibration
• Close quarters, crawl spaces, shafts, small, enclosed rooms, narrow aisles, or passageways

Potential Exposures / Hazards

• Bodily Fluids – Required
• Mechanical – Not required
• Infectious Diseases – Required
• Electrical – Not required
• Blood – Required
• Chemical – Required

Atmospheric Conditions

• Burns (e.g., kitchen) – Required
• Fumes/Gases – Not required
• Radiation/Radioactive Material – Not required
• Dust – Not required
• Poor Ventilation – Not required

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Medical related facility – climate and lighting controlled, clean, but with biohazards and medical equipment hazards. Strenuous‑regular and considerable walking, climbing or standing for extended periods, regular lifting, pushing or pulling of objects, materials, tools, equipment, and/or patients weighing up to 50 pounds.

Fine manipulation skills: moderate‑work requires regular fine manipulation in keyboarding, setting equipment controls and typically use of both hands.

Corrected vision: normal range far and peripheral vision.

Speaking attribute: communicates effectively in person to person speech.

Hearing attribute: hear and decipher person speech in person.

Additional physical demands and/or working conditions may include community-based settings.

Reasonable accommodation may be available to perform one or more of the essential functions of this job. For more information, please contact your local Human Resources Representative.