Certified Hand Therapist-PRN

WVU Medicine; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

UNTWN Uniontown Hospital is seeking an Occupational Therapist specialized in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation. You will evaluate patients, design and implement treatment plans, and supervise trainees while coordinating care with physicians and the broader team.

The role requires two years in hand rehab, valid OT licensure in the treating state, and BLS within 30 days. CHT certification is preferred; familiarity with orthotics and EMR systems is essential.

Qualifications

• Two years of hand and upper-extremity rehabilitation experience.
• Current OT licensure in the state where services are performed (see licensure list).
• BLS certification within 30 days of hire.
• CHT certification is preferred and may be required by department.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate patient needs and develop/implement treatment programs for hand and upper-extremity conditions.
• Document treatments in EMR and follow billing procedures.
• Oversee COTAs, students, and volunteers.
• Educate staff, patients, and families to ensure quality care.
• Create personalized treatment plans for complex hand diagnoses.
• Use orthotics, splints, and therapeutic modalities to improve ROM and function.
• Educate patients on injury prevention and home exercise programs.
• Collaborate with physicians and other professionals to optimize care.
• Monitor progress and adjust plans as needed.
• Fabricate and fit custom orthotics and splints.
• Provide pre-surgical education and postop rehab for hand surgery patients.
• Mentor and train other therapists and students.

Skills

Hand therapy

Orthotics fabrication

Patient assessment

Team collaboration

Education

MD OT licensure

OH OT licensure

PA OT licensure

WV OT licensure

OR OT licensure

PT licensure where applicable

Tools

EMR system

Job description

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. 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 OccupationalTherapy)

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

1. Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.

2. Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) through theHand Therapy Certification Commission.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Two (2) years of experience in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation.

**To be completed asestablishedby department: (Administered at Department level)**

1. Completion of advanced coursework in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

EXPERIENCE:

1. Acute and SNU area experience.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. 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. Ability to conduct comprehensive assessments of patients’ hand and upper extremity function.
2. Submits accurate charges for services rendered for patients, according to departmental policies and procedures utilizing the billing system via the patient’s EMR.
3. Carrying out oversight responsibilities to ensure supervision of COTAs, students and volunteers.
4. 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.
5. Develop and implement personalized treatment plans based on initial assessments and ongoing evaluations with emphasis on being able to treat complex upper extremity and hand diagnoses.
6. Utilize orthotics, splints, therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and modalities to improve range of motion, strength, and functionality.
7. Educate patients and their families on injury prevention, home exercise programs, and post-treatment care.
8. Collaborate with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals to optimize patient care.
9. Monitor and document patient progress, adjusting treatment plans as necessary.
10. Fabricate and fit custom orthotics and splints to support healing and functional improvement.
11. Conduct pre-surgical education and postoperative rehabilitation for patients undergoing hand surgery.
12. Participate in continuing education and professional development to maintain certification and stay current with industry advancements.
13. Provide mentorship and training to other therapists and healthcare students in the field of hand therapy.

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.

1. 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.
2. Heavy/Hard work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, and carrying of materials and equipment weighing 40+lbs.
3. 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.

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

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. 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.
2. Ability to be flexible with patient demands for availability of services.

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

0

Shift:

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Company:

UNTWN Uniontown Hospital

Cost Center:

506 UNTWN Unassigned

Address:

500 W Berkeley Street

Uniontown

Pennsylvania

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.