Certified Hand Therapist-PRN

About the role

In addition to providing services for evaluation and treatment, the incumbent will provide specialized care in treating hand and upper extremity conditions which may include fabrication and fitting of custom orthotics and splints. Assists patients to regain function, alleviate pain, and improve the quality of their daily lives. Works closely with physicians, surgeons, and other providers to optimize patient outcomes with complex hand and upper extremity conditions.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates patient needs and develops and implements the treatment programs for assigned patients to identify, prevent, and to minimize physical disabilities and/or pain of patients.
• As appropriate to setting, determines/revises priorities for direct/indirect patient care activities based on patient need and available resources.
• Documents all treatments, according to department policies and procedures, as monitored by supervision, by documentation review and consultation with referring provider.
• Conducts comprehensive assessments of patients' hand and upper extremity function.
• Submits accurate charges for services rendered for patients, according to departmental policies and procedures utilizing the billing system via the patient’s EMR.
• Carries out oversight responsibilities to ensure supervision of COTAs, students and volunteers.
• Participates in education and training of staff, students, patients, and family members to ensure the appropriate delivery of care and to achieve the mission of WVU Medicine.
• Develops and implements personalized treatment plans based on initial assessments and ongoing evaluations with emphasis on being able to treat complex upper extremity and hand diagnoses.
• Utilizes orthotics, splints, therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and modalities to improve range of motion, strength, and functionality.
• Educates patients and their families on injury prevention, home exercise programs, and post-treatment care.
• Collaborates with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals to optimize patient care.
• Monitors and documents patient progress, adjusting treatment plans as necessary.
• Fabricates and fits custom orthotics and splints to support healing and functional improvement.
• Conducts pre-surgical education and postoperative rehabilitation for patients undergoing hand surgery.
• Participates in continuing education and professional development to maintain certification and stay current with industry advancements.
• Provides mentorship and training to other therapists and healthcare students in the field of hand therapy.

Requirements

• Current Occupational Therapist Licensure as required by the state where services will be performed:
  • MD: Occupational Therapist through Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice
  • OH: Occupational Therapist through Ohio Board of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Training
  • PA: Occupational Therapist through Pennsylvania Department of State
  • WV: Occupational Therapist through West Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy
• OR Current physical therapist licensure in the applicable state where services will be performed:
  • MD: Physical Therapist License through Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners OR Physical Therapist Compact License
  • OH: Physical Therapist License through Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Training Board OR Physical Therapist Compact License
  • PA: Physical Therapist License through Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy OR Physical Therapist Compact License
  • WV: Physical Therapist License through West Virginia Board of Physical Therapists OR Physical Therapist Compact License
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.
• Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) through the Hand Therapy Certification Commission.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation.
• Completion of advanced coursework in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation.
• Preferred: Acute and SNU area experience.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The national Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends minimizing the need for employees to manually lift patients, and limit safe patient handling to 35 pounds. All transfers, lifts and re-positioning will be completed utilizing the lift equipment and/or other patient handling aids as indicated by the patient’s profile and appropriate algorithms. Details specific to therapeutic interventions outlined in Safe Patient Mobility Policy where applicable.

• Heavy/Hard work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, and carrying of materials and equipment weighing 40+lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids and different types of cleaning and laundry chemicals.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to organize and prioritize time and tasks to achieve a well-coordinated work effort and to effectively meet work schedules including an ability to integrate multiple factors which may have an impact on patient care.
• Ability to be flexible with patient demands for availability of services.