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
Experience
3+ years of experience in upper-extremity rehabilitation and outpatient therapy
Licensure/Certification
Current state PT or OT license
Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential
Current CPR/BLS certification
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
Compensation/Benefits
$36.63-$59.83/hr depending on previous work experience.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, scholarship opportunities, retirement plans, free parking, and opportunities for advancement.