Overview:
Responsibilities:
A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) provides specialized rehabilitation for the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Core duties include patient evaluation, custom splinting, and developing recovery plans.
Evaluation/Assessment/Therapeutics
- Perform initial and ongoing assessments of patient's condition and establish plan of care
- Provide therapeutic interventions appropriate to age and disability of the patient
- Document Delivery of Occupational Therapy services
Direction/Supervision
- Directs and supervises activities of Occupational Therapy Assistants, students and support personnel
Orthotic/Splint Fabrication
- Design, fabricate, fit, and adjust custom orthoses and splints for hand and upper-extremity conditions
- Educate patients on orthosis wear, care, and precautions
Post-Surgical and Injury Rehabilitation
- Treat patients with orthopedic, traumatic, burn, tendon, nerve, and postoperative conditions
- Provide scar management, edema control, wound care, and return-to-work rehabilitation as appropriate
Collaboration and Communication
- Collaborate with hand surgeons, orthopedic physicians, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals
- Participate in interdisciplinary care planning and case discussions
Qualifications:
Education
- Bachelor's degree required
- Doctor of Physical Therapy or Doctor of Occupational Therapy preferred
- Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy program
Experience
- 3+ years of experience in upper-extremity rehabilitation and outpatient therapy
Licensure/Certification
- Current state PT or OT license
- Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential
- Current CPR/BLS certification
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in orthopedic and post-surgical rehabilitation
- Knowledge of work conditioning/work hardening programs
- Experience with custom orthotic fabrication
- Leadership, mentoring, or clinical education experience
Key Competencies
- Advanced knowledge of upper-extremity anatomy and biomechanics
- Clinical reasoning and problem-solving
- Orthotic design and fabrication skills
- Patient-centered communication
- Time management and documentation accuracy
- Ability to mentor staff and students
Compensation/Benefits
- $36.63-$59.83/hr depending on previous work experience.
- Benefits include medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, scholarship opportunities, retirement plans, free parking, and opportunities for advancement.
