About the role#
This internship provides clinical fieldwork rotations for Occupational Therapy (OT) and Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) students within a residential treatment center. The program follows an adult learning model that emphasizes self-reflection, group supervision, and peer critique. Students work in a ratio of 6-10 students to 3 clinical instructors, including both on-site staff and university faculty via video conferencing.
OT fieldwork rotations are 12 weeks long at 40 hours per week, while OTA rotations are 8 weeks long at 40 hours per week. Both programs begin in January with flexible start dates.
What you'll do#
- Provide support during OT/OTA fieldwork rotations.
- Engage in self-directed learning and independently seek out feedback.
- Work directly with a challenging patient population.
- Participate in group supervision sessions.
- Conduct self-evaluations and engage in peer critiques to enhance clinical development.
- Utilize video conferencing to collaborate with faculty supervisors.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in an accredited Occupational Therapy institution.
- OT students must be at the Master’s or Doctoral degree level.
- OTA students must be at the Associates degree level.
- Enrollment at an academic institution that maintains an existing contract with Sheppard Pratt.
- A strong foundation in child and adolescent mental health theory, OT practice, and clinical reasoning.
- Knowledge of evidence-based practice, group theory, and teaching concepts for clients and caregivers.
- Ability to demonstrate flexible thinking, adaptability, patience, and compassion.
Location & details#
- Location: Towson, Maryland.
- Modality: On-site.
- Employment type: Full-time.
- Compensation: Paid internship.
About Sheppard Pratt
Sheppard Pratt operates as a private, nonprofit provider of mental health and social services. It offers care for substance use, developmental disabilities, and special education across hospital and community settings. The organization maintains a national presence with headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. It employs over 3,000 people to support its clinical and educational programs.
How to get in at Sheppard Pratt
Applying early to Sheppard Pratt gives you a distinct advantage, as recruiters review applications before the candidate pool becomes crowded. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, helping you secure a spot at the front of the line. You will find that being among the first applicants helps your profile stand out during the initial screening process. Reaching out to the recruiters behind these roles often leads to better results than submitting to a general queue. Intern Insider surfaces the specific contacts responsible for Sheppard Pratt roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the position or a potential referral. This proactive approach often improves your response rate and provides a clearer view of the team culture.


