Occupational Therapist II - UNC Hand Therapy Clinic

Occupational Therapist II - UNC Hand Therapy Clinic

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Summary: UNC Hospitals Rehabilitation Services is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Occupational Therapist II - Clinical Specialist to join our multidisciplinary team at the Hand Therapy Clinic in the Ambulatory Care Center in Chapel Hill, NC. In this full-time position, you will provide high-quality care to patients with upper extremity conditions, addressing a broad spectrum of needs across the continuum of care. You will treat patients presenting with preoperative, postoperative, nonoperative, acute, and chronic musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and soft tissue conditions, with varying levels of complexity, ranging from common injuries to specialized rehabilitation.

Typical diagnoses include post-arthroplasties, fractures, tendon repairs, nerve compressions, and soft tissue injuries, among others. Your expertise will support patients recovering from surgery, managing persistent conditions, or seeking functional improvement in their daily lives. This role emphasizes custom splint fabrication, requiring advanced skills to design and implement static, dynamic, and static-progressive orthoses tailored to individual patient needs.

Our clinic emphasizes 45-minute, one-on-one sessions to ensure personalized, patient-centered care, allowing you to deliver optimal outcomes and build strong therapeutic relationships. Appointment lengths can vary based on patient needs, enabling timely access for walk-in care. Additionally, documentation time is integrated into your daily schedule, with 34 hours allocated specifically for patient care in a typical 40-hour workweek. This allocation is flexible and may be adjusted based on clinic needs and performance.

This role offers the opportunity to work with a diverse patient population, including individuals from both typical and underserved communities. You will treat patients from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, including those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and non-English-speaking, particularly Spanish speakers. In addition to clinical care, you will engage in mentorship, professional development, and clinical program development, allowing you to make a meaningful impact on both individual patients and the broader community.

The ideal candidate would have a minimum of 5 years of outpatient hand therapy experience, including splint fabrication. Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential or active pursuit preferred.

Core Responsibilities:

• Patient Evaluation and Care
• Conduct comprehensive evaluations and advanced diagnostic testing for a wide range of upper extremity musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and soft tissue conditions, including fractures, tendon injuries, nerve compressions, and ligament injuries.
• Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique needs, spanning preoperative, postoperative, nonoperative, acute, and chronic care.
• Provide expert care in custom splint fabrication for conditions such as tendon injuries, joint stabilizations, and soft tissue injuries, ensuring optimal functional outcomes.
• Mentorship and Education
• Teach and supervise graduate students, residents, and fellows, focusing on advanced hand therapy techniques, splint fabrication, and evidence-based interventions.
• Serve as a clinical mentor for new team members and actively contribute to professional development initiatives, including journal clubs and workshops.
• Collaboration and Outreach
• Collaborate with hand surgeons, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals to provide coordinated, multidisciplinary care.
• Act as a consultant to North Carolina healthcare providers and organizations, sharing expertise in hand therapy and upper extremity rehabilitation.
• Participate in community health screenings, professional conferences, and educational outreach programs to expand access to hand therapy services and promote public awareness.
• Quality and Evidence-Based Practice
• Maintain accurate and compliant patient documentation to support continuity of care and meet quality standards.
• Lead or contribute to quality improvement initiatives, including the integration of evidence-based practices into clinical care.
• Support departmental research efforts and engage in clinical discussions that advance the field of hand therapy.

Why UNC Health?

At UNC Health, we provide a comprehensive benefits package to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance. Our offerings include competitive medical, dental, and vision plans, generous PTO, retirement options with employer matching, and a variety of wellness programs. Employees appreciate our flexible work schedules and professional growth opportunities through continuing education, board certification, and tuition reimbursement.

You will also have the chance to advance your career through involvement in committees, mentorship roles, and professional development opportunities, with the potential for annual performance incentives and market/merit raises. UNC Health also offers unique opportunities to engage in community outreach, where you can contribute to improving health equity and access to care.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week.
• Onsite at the Ambulatory Care Center, Chapel Hill, NC.

Apply Today

Join UNC Health's renowned Hand Therapy Clinic and make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients while advancing your career in a supportive and collaborative environment. Apply now to become part of our expert team.