Certified Hand Therapist

Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)

At Houston Methodist, the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) position is responsible for evaluating and developing the therapy plan of care for a broad range of hand and upper extremity diagnoses and acuities. As an experienced Therapist, this position provides education to hand and upper extremity patients, patient's family members, and/or caregivers and collaborates with other health care professionals as needed for problem resolution and/or achievement of identified patient specific goals. As a member of the direct patient care team, the CHT position provides patient care directly and through delegation to Occupational or Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA) and Technicians and has responsibility for patient care delivered by assigned OTAs or PTAs and Technicians, delivering exceptional patient care with adherence to safety standards and guidelines to ensure optimal patient safety, customer service, and optimum patient outcomes. This position serves as preceptor, mentor and resource to less experienced hand and upper extremity staff to include other Occupational or Physical Therapists, assistants and technicians, and may act as a clinical instructor to OT or PT and OTA or PTA students, Residents, and Fellows.

Qualifications:

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certificates, Licenses and Registrations section
• Completion of HM or comparable Occupational or Physical Therapy Residency program, or three years of experience as a Physical or Occupational Therapist

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy state license
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association
• CHT - Certified Hand Therapist (HTCC) - Healthcare Technology Certification Commission _PSV

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Demonstrates increasing expertise in treatments provided and/or for hand and upper extremity patient population
• Ability to work independently, capable of handling challenging/difficult therapy procedures and patient care situations; demonstrates sound judgment and executes above average clinical skills
• Exhibits strong interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers
• Possesses proficient computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems and standard Rehabilitation equipment
• Demonstrates professional and technical competence in the selection, evaluation, utilization of treatment plans

Essential Functions:

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the hand and upper extremity patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
• Serves as preceptor, mentor and resource to less experienced hand therapists (occupational or physical therapists), helping to advance their professional practice at HM.
• Teaches and provides guidance to Occupational or Physical Therapist Assistants, Technicians, and support staff. Assists with precepting students in clinical rotations and occupational or physical therapist residency or fellowship programs. May also serve as a clinical instructor.

Service Essential Functions:

• Performs complete and comprehensive evaluation of patients across a broad range of hand and upper extremity diagnosis and acuities to identify patient's level of function and to determine the treatment plan. Develops the plan of care based on evaluation findings, implementing the hand and upper extremity treatment plan.
• Provides education to patients, patient's family members, and/or caregivers. Serves as resource to colleagues in teaching best therapy practice in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation.
• Collaborates and communicates with the healthcare team modifications to patient's treatment plan, progress, and discharge planning for achievement of identified patient specific goals.

Quality/Safety Essential Functions:

• Assesses hand and upper extremity patients regularly, monitoring progress towards treatment goals, modifying goals, plan or program as indicated. Recognizes complications/limitations associated with certain procedures and proactively addresses such for optimum outcomes. Collaborates and communicates with the healthcare team modifications to patient's treatment plan, progress, and discharge planning.
• Proactively identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement providing recommendations, and contributes to meeting departmental and hospital targets for quality and safety.
• Provides oversight of patient care provided by OTAs or PTA's and Technicians, ensuring quality outcomes and the safety of the patient, adjusting activities as applicable.

Finance Essential Functions:

• Uses resources efficiently to maximize utilization of time and equipment. Meets labor standards by effectively managing established patient load assignments.
• Maintains accurate and complete documentation of patient education and procedures performed in a timely manner in the patient record. Enters charges for services provided as applicable.

Growth/Innovation Essential Functions:

• Actively participates in departmental projects. Participates in HM related and approved hospital/community teaching opportunities, community services and/or functions.
• Assists higher level OTs or PTs with program development and/or clinical competencies.
• Seeks opportunities to advance and/or expand learning beyond basic competencies with a focus on continual development as a Certified Hand Therapist.

Supplemental Requirements:

• Work Attire
• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): Yes
• On-Call
• On Call* No
• Travel
• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No