Mental Health Occupational Therapy Fellowship

General Description

Since it was founded more than 125 years ago, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, an academic medical center located in Baltimore, MD, has been at the forefront of discovery, innovation and medical advances. Its reputation for excellence has earned a ranking among "America's Best Hospitals" by U.S. News and World Report for more than two decades.

The Mental Health Occupational Therapy fellowship program enables the completion of professional milestones in just one year, which may take several years to attain. It aligns with the AOTA Standards for continuing competence, emphasizing knowledge, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, performance abilities and ethical behavior. The program prepares fellows for career advancement, surpassing the level of their peers who are not board certified. As a Johns Hopkins Health System employee, fellows receive a salary and full-time employee benefits, including medical and paid time off. Graduates of the program will earn more than the 36 competency assessment units required for National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy certification renewal.

This fellowship, accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association, incorporates the following core elements:

• Specialized mental health knowledge and skills
• Advanced clinical practice throughout care continuum
• Delivery of evidence-based, high-quality services
• Opportunities for advocacy, teaching and mentorship
• Involvement in research or quality improvement projects

Program benefits:

• Salary and full-time benefits, including paid time off
• One-on-one clinical mentoring
• Variety of unique didactic experiences
• Participation in scholarly activities

Details: The 12-month fellowship program includes mentored advanced clinical practice and didactic experiences in the following areas (across inpatient, outpatient and day-hospital settings):

• General Psychiatry Service
• Schizophrenia Service
• Adult and Young Adult Mood Disorders Services
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service
• Geriatric Psychiatry Service
• Motivated Behaviors Service
• Pain Treatment Service
• Eating Disorders Service

Duration: 12 months
Accreditation: AOTA Accredited
Application open: November 1, 2025
Application deadline: May 17, 2026
Interview date: Late May 2026
Admission decision: June 2026
Program start: Late August 2026

Qualifications

Eligibility Criteria:

• Graduate from an ACOTE-Accredited occupational therapy program
• Occupational therapy license in Maryland (or eligible for licensure)
• CPR certification from approved company
• AOTA Membership

Applicant must be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship by the PMR department.

Application Instructions

Please complete the following application which includes uploading your resume, the Experience Form, a typed personal statement (max 2 pages double-sided), 2 letters of reference, and a $50 application fee.

Resume
Please upload a resume that speaks to your most relevant experiences and accomplishments.

Experience Form
Please complete the "Experience Form" and upload it in the required documents section of the application as "other documents".

Letters of Reference
Your letters of reference must be submitted on this form.

You will have the opportunity to send a message to your reviewers. You may attach the form or include the link in your message. Your references will receive your message along with instructions on how to upload the form. The references are not confidential, so your reference may choose to send the letter to you and you may upload it in your application. Please ensure at least of your references includes a former Supervisor/Instructor from an accredited occupational therapy program and/or a clinician/therapist that has worked with you in the past. We strongly suggest that you include individuals who are able to comment on your academic and clinical abilities.

Personal Statement
Please answer the following 6 questions within 2 pages double-sided and upload.

1. Why did you choose to apply to the Mental Health Fellowship at Johns Hopkins?
2. What experience do you have working with individuals with mental health diagnoses? Be specific about settings, populations, and interactions.
3. Explain an Occupational Therapy treatment session (individual or group) you have conducted in the past that you are proud of. Why did you select this treatment? What did you do? What were the outcomes? If you have Mental Health experience, please speak to that.
4. For questions 4-6, review the Fellowship Program Goals on the Johns Hopkins Mental Health Occupational Therapy website.
   Which goal aligns most with your professional goals or objectives?
5. How do you believe this program will facilitate accomplishing those goals?
6. By achievement of your professional goals, how do you feel you may contribute to the field of occupational therapy in mental health?

Application Fee
Please make your payment here by clicking on "pay Application Fee" button.

Your application will be reviewed after all components are submitted and the $50 application fee is paid.

Salary Range
40,000.00 - 45,000.00