Certified Hand Therapist, PRN - Jefferson City

Hand Therapy Specialist

MU Health Care is looking for a passionate and skilled therapist to join our team as a Hand Therapy Specialist. We need someone who is dedicated to restoring function and improving the lives of patients with upper extremity impairments. The ideal candidate will possess a deep commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, actively seeking out training opportunities and maintaining advanced certifications. You will have the opportunity to showcase your expertise in designing and fabricating splints and assistive devices, providing cutting-edge treatments and modalities tailored to individual patient needs. At MU Health Care, we uphold the highest standards of ethical practice and are looking for a candidate who shares our commitment to excellence in patient care.

MU Health Care is proud to be named one of Forbes' Best-in-State Employers seven years in a row, and that's largely a result of the incredible culture and team we've built. At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard-working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. Here, we believe anything is possible and rally around solutions. We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger — to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine.

Our academic health system — the only in mid-Missouri — is home to seven hospitals, including the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center and region's only Children's Hospital, as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions — with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.

Performs comprehensive patient evaluations in a time-sensitive manner to assess upper extremity function, impairment, and rehabilitation potential.

Develops individualized plans of care based on evaluation findings, patient goals, and a developmentally appropriate approach.

Implements advanced, evidence-based therapeutic interventions to restore function, improve dexterity, strength, and range of motion, and reduce pain.

Administers specialized treatments requiring advanced clinical skills in hand therapy, including manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and neuromuscular re-education.

Designs, fabricates, and modifies orthoses, splints, and assistive devices to support functional recovery and protect healing structures.

Applies therapeutic modalities including heat and cold therapy, fluidotherapy, iontophoresis, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, hydrotherapy, and manual therapy in accordance with physician orders.

Documents evaluations, treatment plans, interventions, and patient progress in accordance with MU Health Care and departmental policies and regulatory standards.

Monitors patient response to treatment and modifies plans of care as clinically indicated to achieve optimal outcomes.

Collaborates with physicians, interdisciplinary team members, and support staff to coordinate care and ensure continuity of services.

Maintains compliance with the American Physical Therapy Association or American Occupational Therapy Association Code of Ethics, as applicable, and the Missouri Practice Act to ensure licensure eligibility and professional standards.

Orders and manages discipline-specific referrals in accordance with state practice acts and regulatory requirements.

Participates in professional development, continuing education, and training activities to maintain competency, licensure, and hand therapy certification requirements.

Educates Occupational Therapy students or Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant students as assigned to support clinical education and professional development.

Ensures a safe environment for patients and staff by adhering to infection control, safety, and regulatory guidelines.

Adheres to timekeeping, attendance, and punctuality guidelines in accordance with MU Health Care policies.

May complete unit/department specific duties and expectations as outlined in department documents.

Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) certification by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC).

Five (5) years of clinical experience, including 4,000 hours in the direct practice of hand therapy.

One of the following:

-Occupational Therapist (OT) licensure by the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy or OT Compact multi-state privilege. When primary state of residency changes, compact state OTs must apply under new state of residency within thirty (30) days;

OR

-Physical Therapist (PT) licensure by the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts or PT Compact multi-state privilege. When primary state of residency changes, compact state PTs must apply under new state of residency within thirty (30) days.

Additional license/certification requirements as determined by the hiring department.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. This position is very active and requires ambulating, reaching, and moving objects weighing up to and over 20 lbs.

This role also routinely comes into contact with patients who may have contagious illnesses. This position is in a health care facility open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rotating shifts as well as holiday and work during inclement weather will be required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.