Level II fieldwork and capstone opportunities at AOTA

Level II fieldwork and capstone experiences at AOTA headquarters offer students the opportunity to gain and strengthen their analytical, organizational, communications, and advocacy skills while increasing their knowledge of AOTA. In addition, students will have the opportunity to meet national volunteer leaders and be involved in national projects and activities.

Fieldwork and capstone department descriptions

Level II fieldwork (minimum 6 weeks) & doctoral capstone (14 weeks)

  • The Practice Improvement Team is involved with the development of resources and initiatives to promote best practice occupational therapy services. Specific programs and projects focus on evidence-based practice, systematic reviews, practice guidelines, knowledge translation and quality measurement, and management principles.
  • The Practice Engagement and Capacity Building Team is involved in engaging with the OT community, and external stakeholders, to expand the profession and solidify its role in various practice areas across the lifespan (i.e., including but not limited to the areas of Behavioral Health, Community and Population Health, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives). The Practice team works closely across the Association such as with Policy, Regulatory Affairs, Marketing, and Communications to engage with the OT community. Initiatives include the Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, CarFit, establishment of Train-the-Trainer practitioner workshops, DEI toolkit development and maintenance, Practitioner Well-Being webpage and initiatives, maintaining and establishing strategic partnerships, and representing AOTA on various boards and interprofessional collaborations. Potential fieldwork activities may align with the team's work supporting the various AOTA Communities of Practice. 

Third level II fieldwork (minimum 10 weeks)

  • Federal Advocacy

Doctoral capstone (14 weeks)

  • Federal Advocacy
  • State Affairs & Health Policy
  • Federal Reimbursement and Regulatory Policy
  • Professional development refers to practitioners developing, improving, and/or expanding their skill set to better meet the needs of their clients. Approaches to professional development can include workshops, training sessions, continuing education, resources for skill development and acquisition, and microcredentialing (e.g., badging/professional certificates). A capstone experience within the professional development department involves the creation of professional development tools, resources, education products, and training sessions to improve the quality and effectiveness of OT/OTA practice and to assist in career mapping.
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, Access & Belonging (DEIJAB): AOTA's DEIJAB initiatives lead the profession to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive through its commitment to developing DEI resources and tools to strengthen occupational therapy practitioners' contribution to a healthy and engaged community to address issues of justice, access, and belonging. A capstone experience with the DEIJAB department involves working with the various AOTA departments and governance groups, the creation of professional development tools, resources, education products, and training sessions to improve the quality and effectiveness of OT/OTA practice as it relates to DEIJAB, and to assist to expand diversity of the profession.

(*OTA students may be considered).

Next steps

Interested candidates should contact fwapplications@aota.org for more information.