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* WHY SHOULD I DO A FELLOWSHIP RATHER THAN JUST FIND A JOB I’M INTERESTED IN? A fellowship will provide post-professional training in a specialized area of practice. Participation in a

fellowship will give the fellow specific experience and allow him/her to gain confidence delivering specialized OT services. It will combine didactic curriculum, mentorship, and clinical

practice in the specialty area in order to progress the fellow towards becoming an advanced-level clinician. This can increase professional marketability in the future.   * WHAT EXPERIENCE

IS NEEDED TO APPLY FOR A FELLOWSHIP? No experience is needed. Experience will be gained through participation in the fellowship program. Applicants should have strong interest in the

program’s specialty area and plan on applying for board or specialty certification after completion of the program. * CAN I APPLY FOR MORE THAN ONE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM AT

THE JAMES A. HALEY VETERANS’ HOSPITAL? No, applicants are only allowed to apply to one program per year. We encourage applicants to reflect on which program aligns most closely with his/her

professional interests and goals and apply to that program. Applicants can re-apply for the same program or apply to a different program the following year, if they were not selected when

they previously applied. * DO I HAVE TO BE A NEW GRAD TO APPLY FOR A FELLOWSHIP? No. Any licensed occupational therapist can apply for a fellowship experience.  While some applicants are

newly licensed OTs, others have some basic experience, or are wanting to change practice areas. Most fellows typically have 0-5 years of experience. * WHAT IF MY LICENSE IS IN ANOTHER STATE?

  The specific state you are licensed in does not matter as long as you meet criteria to apply. * WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE YEAR-LONG FELLOWSHIP? The fellow will be considered an experienced

clinician in that specialty practice area. This will help when applying for jobs in a specialized practice area that requires experience. The fellow will also be eligible to apply for AOTA

Board Certification after 2 years of practice rather than the 3 years that is required for non-fellowship participants.  * CAN I APPLY IF I AM NOT YET LICENSED OR HAVE NOT GRADUATED OT

SCHOOL? If you are not already licensed, you will need to have a license before you are able to begin the fellowship experience. You do not need to have a license to apply for the fellowship

experience, however,  you must have proof of confirmed/scheduled NBCOT testing date that will allow for the test results to be received prior to June 30th. If selected, acceptance will be

contingent upon obtaining a license (temporary license not accepted). * WILL THE FELLOW GET A SALARY/BENEFITS DURING THE FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE? Yes, the fellow will receive a stipend and

health benefits, as well as, accrue paid time off and have paid federal holidays. The fellow’s total pay per annum is $47,654. The fellow’s pay is not negotiable. * WILL THE DIDACTIC WORK

REQUIRED FOR THE FELLOWSHIP BE COMPLETED WHILE AT WORK OR IN THE EVENINGS/WEEKENDS AFTER THE WORK DAY? There is time built into the fellows weekly schedule to complete didactic work.

However,  there may be work that must be completed outside of regular working hours. * IS HOUSING PROVIDED? No, housing is not provided We will gladly provide   information about the

surrounding areas, if requested, however, fellows are responsible for finding their own housing. * WHAT POPULATION WILL THE FELLOW BE WORKING WITH? The fellow will be working with a mix of

active-duty service members and veterans. Ages of the population generally range from 21-75. The fellow will see clients with mental health diagnoses to include anxiety and trauma related

disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, substance/behavioral related addictions, chronic pain disorders, sleep disorders, and adjustment disorders. A vast majority of the clients

will be fully independent with ADLs and IADLs. However, the fellows will spend 1 month working in a traditional rehab setting with patients with ADL/IADL deficits. Most of the clients will

be part of an inpatient program.  Clients will range from very low to very high level of functioning from a psycho-social standpoint. *  WHAT WILL THE FELLOW BE DOING WITH THE CLIENTS? The

fellow will provide a combination of individual and small group treatments. Many of the group treatments will focus on life skills (money management, leisure participation, etc.). Individual

treatments, will focus on emotional regulation, coping skills, communication skills, pain management, lifestyle re-design, sexual health, family re-integration, and marriage enrichment. 

Treatment will be delivered in person and via telehealth.