Occupational Therapist (Hand Therapy)

Occupational Therapist (Hand Therapist)

Join a highly specialized outpatient hand therapy team within Premier Health, delivering exclusively 1:1 patient care with 60-minute evaluations and follow-up sessions. This role offers advanced clinical practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and extensive opportunities for professional growth in a system known for excellence in upper extremity rehabilitation.

About the Role

As an Occupational Therapist specializing in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation, you will manage a diverse and complex caseload in a dedicated outpatient setting. You'll work closely with a respected group of board-certified hand surgeons and plastic surgeons, receiving direct referrals and collaborating on surgical protocols, case progression, and treatment planning.

You will also provide consultative support to acute care teams for traumatic injuries and complex upper extremity cases, ensuring continuity of care across the Premier Health network.

Our clinic is equipped with expansive hand therapy tools, specialized splinting materials, and advanced surgical rehabilitation resources, allowing you to deliver evidence-based, high-acuity care.

Clinical Scope & Diagnoses You will evaluate and treat a wide range of upper extremity conditions, including:

• Fractures (simple, complex, and multi-level)
• Tendon repairs (flexor, extensor, staged reconstructions)
• Joint arthroplasties (finger, wrist, elbow)
• Nerve repairs and nerve transfers
• Replantations and revascularizations
• Ligament injuries, instability, and sprains
• Conservative injuries such as tendinopathies, repetitive strain injuries, joint stiffness, and post-immobilization deficits
• Shoulder injuries as part of comprehensive upper extremity care

Your caseload will include both post-operative and conservative patients, with opportunities to manage highly specialized surgical protocols and complex trauma.

Splinting & Orthotic Fabrication

You will fabricate a wide range of custom orthoses, including:

• Static splints
• Static progressive splints
• Dynamic splints
• Dynamic outrigger systems
• Additional custom orthoses tailored to surgical requirements and functional goals

Our clinic provides extensive materials and equipment to support advanced splinting techniques and iterative orthotic adjustments throughout recovery.

Collaboration & Professional Growth

Premier Health supports continuous learning and interdisciplinary engagement through:

• Mentorship opportunities and gained knowledge from a team of experienced Certified Hand Therapists.
• A Hand Specialty Team with paid attendance for meetings and education
• System-wide continuing education opportunities
• Regular collaboration with hand surgeons for case reviews, surgical updates, and protocol development
• Opportunities to participate in quality initiatives, program development, and evidence-based practice projects
• A strong network of experienced clinicians across Premier Health sites

This environment is ideal for clinicians seeking to deepen their expertise in upper extremity rehabilitation and thrive in a high-acuity, collaborative setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive evaluations and develop individualized, evidence-based treatment plans
• Deliver exclusively 1:1 patient care with 60-minute follow-ups and evaluations
• Provide specialized post-operative and conservative care for upper extremity conditions
• Fabricate and modify custom orthoses
• Collaborate closely with hand surgeons, plastic surgeons, and interdisciplinary teams
• Consult on acute care cases involving traumatic or complex upper extremity injuries
• Document accurately and ensure alignment between services provided and billing
• Provide guidance and oversight to Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Educate patients and families on treatment plans, precautions, and home programs
• Participate in performance improvement and clinical development initiatives
• Maintain all required competencies and uphold Premier Health standards of care

Education & Licensure

• Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program
• Current Ohio Occupational Therapy license
• Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) preferred, or Hand Therapy experience, with strong interest in pursuing certification
• BLS certification required within 30 days of hire

Experience

• 13 years of relevant experience strongly preferred
• Prior hand therapy or upper extremity experience strongly valued
• Clinicians with strong interest in hand therapy and a desire to grow in a specialized setting are encouraged to apply

Skills & Attributes

• Strong clinical reasoning and commitment to evidence-based practice
• Ability to manage a specialized caseload with varying levels of complexity
• Skilled in communication, collaboration, and patient education
• Adaptable, dependable, and comfortable in a fast-paced clinical environment
• High level of professionalism, confidentiality, and organizational skill
• Basic computer proficiency

If you're passionate about delivering exceptional, specialized upper extremity care and want to grow within a collaborative, surgeon-supported hand therapy program, we invite you to apply and join our Premier Health team.