Certified Hand Therapist OT or PT

Certified Hand Therapist

A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) provides specialized rehabilitation for the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Core duties include patient evaluation, custom splinting, and developing recovery plans.

Evaluation/Assessment/Therapeutics

• Perform initial and ongoing assessments of patient's condition and establish plan of care
• Provide therapeutic interventions appropriate to age and disability of the patient
• Document delivery of occupational therapy services

Direction/Supervision

• Directs and supervises activities of occupational therapy assistants, students, and support personnel

Orthotic/Splint Fabrication

• Design, fabricate, fit, and adjust custom orthoses and splints for hand and upper-extremity conditions
• Educate patients on orthosis wear, care, and precautions

Post-Surgical and Injury Rehabilitation

• Treat patients with orthopedic, traumatic, burn, tendon, nerve, and postoperative conditions
• Provide scar management, edema control, wound care, and return-to-work rehabilitation as appropriate

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with hand surgeons, orthopedic physicians, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals
• Participate in interdisciplinary care planning and case discussions

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree required
• Doctor of Physical Therapy or Doctor of Occupational Therapy preferred
• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy program

Licensure/Certification

• Current state PT or OT license
• Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential
• Current CPR/BLS certification

Experience

• 3+ years of experience in upper-extremity rehabilitation and outpatient therapy

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in orthopedic and post-surgical rehabilitation
• Knowledge of work conditioning/work hardening programs
• Experience with custom orthotic fabrication
• Leadership, mentoring, or clinical education experience

Key Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of upper-extremity anatomy and biomechanics
• Clinical reasoning and problem-solving
• Orthotic design and fabrication skills
• Patient-centered communication
• Time management and documentation accuracy
• Ability to mentor staff and students

Work Shift

Day