Occupational Therapist, Hand - Per Diem - La Jolla

Occupational Therapist, Hand - Per Diem - La Jolla (Job ID #138962)

Filing Deadline: Fri 4/3/2026

UC San Diego Health is seeking a Per Diem Occupational Therapist, Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) to provide specialized outpatient hand therapy services. This position is primarily assigned to the Koman Outpatient Pavilion (KOP) and Hillcrest outpatient rehabilitation locations. As a per diem role, the therapist may be required to float to other UC San Diego Health outpatient rehab clinics based on operational needs.

The Occupational Therapist is responsible for the evaluation and treatment of patients with routine and complex hand and upper extremity conditions, including traumatic injuries, post operative care, and pathological diagnoses. Services are delivered in collaboration with physicians and interdisciplinary team members.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy services as a Certified Hand Therapist, including evaluation, treatment planning, and intervention for hand and upper extremity conditions.
• Manage a caseload of routine and complex orthopedic diagnoses in an outpatient setting.
• Collaborate with orthopedic and hand surgeons and interdisciplinary team members.
• Participate in departmental initiatives, including training, program development, and quality improvement activities.
• Serve as a professional representative of Rehabilitation Services to patients, families, physicians, and the general community.
• Demonstrate competence in and adherence to UC San Diego Health core values.
• Float to other UC San Diego Health Outpatient Rehab clinics as required.

Work Environment

Services are provided in a modern outpatient rehabilitation setting designed to support advanced orthopedic and hand therapy practice. Clinical areas are equipped with BTE isokinetic testing and rehabilitation equipment to support specialized evaluation, strengthening, and return to function programming for hand and upper extremity patients.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited school of Occupational Therapy approved by the American Medical Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
• Occupational Therapist license issued by the state of California.
• BART or BLS at time of hire with commitment to get BART within six (6) months of hire date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Outpatient experience in a hospital based setting and/or preferred experience in a large academic medical center.
• Certified Hand Therapist (CHT).

Special Conditions

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• May flex and float between sites as needed.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $134,488 - $149,125 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $64.41 - $71.42

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, providing leading-edge care in patient care, biomedical research, education, and community service. Our facilities include two university hospitals, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, the only Burn Center in the county, and dozens of outpatient clinics. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

Misconduct means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace