The Kennedy Krieger Institute Department of Occupational Therapy offers clinical training placements for students currently pursuing a graduate or post-graduate degree in occupational therapy. These placements provide clinical experience and typically occur in the student’s final year. The length of the affiliation is determined by AOTA guidelines, which typically consists of a 12-week affiliation. (An OT student typically completes two 12-week affiliations, and Kennedy Krieger accepts students who are completing their second Level 2 placement). Kennedy’s Occupational Therapy department maintains contracts with universities across the United States and works directly with the university to arrange the affiliation.
Training is provided across a variety of programs throughout the Institute, both on‑site and at off‑site locations. Before beginning a placement, students participate in a required phone or in‑person interview. Final placement decisions consider the student’s interests as well as availability within the preferred setting. Available sites include inpatient and outpatient services (both on‑site and satellite), the Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation, the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (inpatient and outpatient), feeding programs (inpatient and outpatient), the Specialized Transition Program (intensive day outpatient rehabilitation), Community Rehabilitation, the Child and Family Support Center, and Kennedy Krieger School Programs.
Occupational therapists at Kennedy Krieger provide evaluation and treatment for children and adults with brain and spinal cord injuries, musculoskeletal conditions, Developmental Delay, ADHD, Autism, Cerebral Palsy and other diagnoses. Student therapists work alongside a supervising clinician and share a caseload. All occupational therapists at the Institute are licensed by the state of Maryland. For additional information, please visit the department's website to learn more.
Training Opportunities:
There are a variety of weekly training opportunities available, including the required LEND Core Course training series. Other opportunities include exploration of the Occupational Therapy Canvas Learning Modules, daily patient and family contact, staff meetings, in-service trainings, clinical rounds and interdisciplinary trainings. Occupational therapy students are also able to gain experience by observing and shadowing many other programs within the Institute. Some opportunities include following interdisciplinary specialty clinics like Behavioral Feeding Clinic, Spina Bifida Clinic, Rehab Clinic, Assistive Technology Clinic, Seating and Positioning Clinic, Infant Neurodevelopment Clinic and Oral Motor Clinic.
Application Guidelines:
A contract must be in place between Kennedy Krieger Institute and the student’s university prior to beginning a graduate or pre-doctoral level training placement in occupational therapy. The university requests a student reservation typically two years in advance of placement. About 6 months before the start date, the student is contacted for a phone or in-person interview. Students must complete all forms, including a mandatory background check. A student transcript via a sealed letter from the student’s Registry office is required. The prospective student will be sent additional forms to complete, and all forms are sent to our Training Office for processing and approval. Two to three months prior to the student’s start date, an email will be sent to the student with their supervisor’s name. The students are encouraged to establish contact with their supervisor in order to determine specific requirements for the placement.
Doctorate Students:
Additional requirements are needed for successful completion of AOTA requirements and the Institute’s training program. Doctoral students are encouraged to contact their academic fieldwork supervisor to gather additional information from their university/college.
For questions, please contact Jennifer Mosier, MS, OTR/L (Mosier@KennedyKrieger.org) or contact the occupational therapy department at 443 923-9290.