Occupational Therapy Fellowship Program

Program Mission

The mission of the Tampa General Hospital Occupational Therapy Fellowship Programs is to advance clinical excellence, leadership, and innovation in occupational therapy through specialized training, mentorship, and scholarly inquiry. Grounded in compassion, integrity, accountability, courage, and excellence, fellows are prepared to deliver person-centered care that enhances participation and well-being while advancing the mission of Florida’s premier academic health system.

We are committed to:

Advancing clinical proficiency in the provision and management of acute care, inpatient, and outpatient rehabilitation services while upholding the highest ethical standards of the AOTA.
Enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration through skilled evaluation, treatment, and communication.
Promoting patient-centered care that improves occupational performance, health, and quality of life.
Expanding the reach and impact of occupational therapy within the healthcare system and broader community.
Driving innovation through the integration of evidence-based practices in rehabilitation services and engagement in program development and research.

Available Fellowship Programs within the Tampa General Health System:

To learn more about individual program goals and curriculum, please click on your program of interest below:

Admission Requirements

Must have graduated from an ACOTE-accredited Occupational Therapy program and must submit a copy of the applicant's diploma.
Must be a licensed OTR/L and secure Florida licensure prior to the start date. Temporary licenses are not accepted.
Must be BLS-certified through American Heart Association.
Must be a current member of AOTA.
Must complete the Tampa General Hospital application.
Must submit a cover letter or letter of intent that addresses the following three prompts and is limited to 1,000 words or fewer:
- What experiences, clinical interests, and professional goals have led you to pursue advanced training in the fellowship area, and how do you envision this fellowship contributing to your development as a clinician?
- Describe a patient encounter within the fellowship practice setting that significantly influenced your clinical reasoning or professional growth. What did you learn from the experience, and how has it shaped your approach to patient care?
- Health care environments require strong collaboration, adaptability, and evidence-based decision-making. Provide an example of how you have demonstrated these qualities in practice and explain how you would contribute to the fellowship program and interdisciplinary team.
Resume or CV
Minimum of three letters of reference
- Recommended sources: a clinical instructor, professor, previous mentor, or other professional contact.

Timeline and Selection Process

Timeline

Applications open: March annually
Application deadline: April 30 annually
Interviews: Interviews occur as applications are received and continue through May.
- Please note that applicants may request or be required to participate in an on-site observation day before acceptance.
Accepted fellows notified: May through June
Program start date: Mid-August annually

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and may continue to be reviewed after the application window closes. All applicants will be notified within 30 days of the application window closing whether they have been selected to continue with the interview process.

Top applicants will be interviewed either in person or virtually. Applicants will be expected to participate in a case study review during the interview process.

Once selected, applicants will be notified by phone, and a formal offer letter will be sent by email.

Employment Information

Compensation

The fellow will be an employee of Tampa General Hospital, will be paid hourly and will qualify for the total benefits package offered by TGH.

Fees

Tampa General does not provide any stipends for education or living expenses. Fellows may be required to purchase specialty color scrubs or polos that are embroidered with the TGH logo. Information about uniform requirements and purchasing will be provided once the fellow has accepted the position.

Fellowship applicants must be an active member of AOTA; therefore, all AOTA membership fees are the applicant's responsibility.

Professional Liability Insurance

As an employee of Tampa General Hospital, fellows are covered by the organization’s professional liability policy. This liability coverage extends only to activities required as part of their participation in the program.