Occupational Therapy

This one-year program provides specialized and practical clinical training to enhance the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Program Goals

The Pediatric Occupational Therapy Clinical Postdoctoral Fellowship program aims to graduate advanced practitioners in the field of pediatric occupational therapy. This program develops practitioners who strive to use current evidence and innovative treatment to transform lives.

Fellows in this program will:

• Provide extraordinary clinical care across a wide array of pediatric settings, diagnoses and age ranges.
• Consider all aspects of best pediatric practice including community integration, cost-effectiveness, and evidenced-based principles of care.
• Use evidence to back decisions or develop a plan to track and collect evidence to determine clinically relevant changes in response to intervention.
• Understand community access or societal issues for persons with disabilities and resources available for addressing these needs.
• Incorporate family-centered and competent service delivery as fostered through the Leadership in Education for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program.
• Actively involve families in every step of assessment, evaluation, intervention and planning.
• Seek to understand and respect differences that impact service delivery.
• Contribute to advancement of the profession through critical analyses of literature, development of a clinical case project, and provide support to graduate level educational programs as requested.
• Advocate for pediatric interests in community or legislative arenas.
• Identify community agencies and resources appropriate for children and families.
• Develop and defend ethical treatment choices considering family and organizational resources.

The fellowship staff includes practitioners who are AOTA Board Certified in Pediatrics and Specialty Certified in School Based Practice as well as master clinicians with expertise in a variety of areas including assistive technology, transitional services, feeding and swallowing, school based services, rehabilitation and sensory integration. 

Unique educational opportunities include involvement in various multidisciplinary clinics, participating in clinical research, completing leadership projects and lecturing to other therapists and students as well as to the community.

Clinical Practice Areas

The Occupational Therapy Pediatric Fellowship Program offers specialized training for clinicians seeking expertise in pediatric therapy. Fellows gain hands-on experience in both clinical outpatient settings and school-based environments, enhancing their ability to assess, treat, and support children with diverse needs. The program emphasizes evidence-based practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and personalized treatment strategies. Fellows refine their skills in providing therapeutic interventions, developing individualized plans, and promoting developmental progress for children in various community settings.

Clinical Experience

LEND Training

Occupational therapy fellows participate in MMI’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities program, which provides long-term, graduate level interdisciplinary training as well as interdisciplinary services and care. The purpose of the LEND training program is to improve the health of infants, children, and adolescents with disabilities. They accomplish this by preparing trainees from diverse professional disciplines to assume leadership roles in their respective fields and by ensuring high levels of interdisciplinary clinical competence.

Acute Care Setting

MMI partners with Children's Nebraska for comprehensive coverage of pediatric diagnostic categories and practice settings. Fellows spend up to seven weeks in the acute care setting at Children's Nebraska.

Pre-Service Training

The Munroe-Meyer Institute Occupational Therapy Department provides pre-service clinical training to graduate students from contracted professional programs in Nebraska and throughout the Midwest.

Program Eligibility

Applicants Must Have

• Graduated from an Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education program in the United States (entry-level doctorate degree - OTD, or masters).
• Current National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy.
• Current active Occupational Therapy License or be eligible for licensure in the state of Nebraska.
• Prior pediatric clinical experience is preferred. Outstanding recent graduates who have completed pediatric level II fieldwork will be considered.
• Current basic life support (CPR) certification for health care providers.
• Documentation of current immunization status, including flu shot.
• Successful Department of Health and Human Services background check, health screen and drug screen.

Application Requirements, Fees and Deadlines

• Applications will be accepted February 1 through April 15.
• There is no fee to apply.

Applicants Must Submit

• Completed online job application 
• Current resume, including details of pediatric experience.
• Three letters of reference including contact information.
• Personal statement that summarizes your interest in pursuing the pediatric Pediatric Occupational Therapy Clinical Fellowship, including personal objectives for this fellowship (350 words).