Occupational Therapist, Hand - Per Diem- Hillcrest - 141518

UC San Diego Health; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking a Per Diem Occupational Therapist specialized in hand therapy at Hillcrest. The role involves evaluation and treatment of hand/upper-extremity conditions in an outpatient setting, with potential to float to other UC San Diego Health clinics.

Responsibilities include caseload management, collaboration with physicians, and participation in quality improvement initiatives. Per diem schedule allows flexibility with 10-hour shifts and 20% appointment percentage.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited OT program.
• California OT license required.
• Certification as Hand Therapist (CHT) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide OT services as a Certified Hand Therapist.
• Manage outpatient caseload with hand/upper-extremity diagnoses.
• Collaborate with surgeons and interdisciplinary team.

Skills

Hand therapy

Outpatient therapy

Orthopedic therapy

Education

CA OT license

Accredited OT program

Tools

BTE Isokinetic Equipment

Job description

Payroll Title

OCCUPATIONAL THER 2 PD

Department

Rehabilitation Services

Hiring Pay Scale

$67.63 - $74.99 / Hour

Worksite

Hillcrest

Appointment Type

Per Diem

Appointment Percent

20%

Union

HX Contract

Total Openings

1

Work Schedule

Days, 10-Hour Shifts, Monday-Saturday

#141518 Occupational Therapist, Hand - Per Diem- Hillcrest

Filing Deadline

Wed 10/7/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds.

Description

UC San Diego Health is seeking a Per Diem Occupational Therapist, Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) to provide specialized outpatient hand therapy services. This position is primarily assigned to Hillcrest outpatient rehabilitation locations. As a per diem role, the therapist may be required to float to other UC San Diego Health outpatient rehab clinics based on operational needs.

The Occupational Therapist is responsible for the evaluation and treatment of patients with routine and complex hand and upper extremity conditions, including traumatic injuries, post operative care, and pathological diagnoses. Services are delivered in collaboration with physicians and interdisciplinary team members.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy services as a Certified Hand Therapist, including evaluation, treatment planning, and intervention for hand and upper extremity conditions.
• Manage a caseload of routine and complex orthopedic diagnoses in an outpatient setting.
• Collaborate with orthopedic and hand surgeons and interdisciplinary team members.
• Participate in departmental initiatives, including training, program development, and quality improvement activities.
• Serve as a professional representative of Rehabilitation Services to patients, families, physicians, and the general community.
• Demonstrate competence in and adherence to UC San Diego Health core values.
• Float to other UC San Diego Health Outpatient Rehab clinics as required.

Work Environment

Services are provided in a modern outpatient rehabilitation setting designed to support advanced orthopedic and hand therapy practice. Clinical areas are equipped with BTE isokinetic testing and rehabilitation equipment to support specialized evaluation, strengthening, and return to function programming for hand and upper extremity patients.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited school of Occupational Therapy approved by the American Medical Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
• Occupational Therapist license issued by the state of California.
• BART or BLS at time of hire with commitment to get BART within six (6) months of hire date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Outpatient experience in a hospital based setting and/or preferred experience in a large academic medical center.
• Certified Hand Therapist (CHT).

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• May flex and float between sites as needed.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $141,211 - $156,579 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)
Hourly Equivalent: $67.63 - $74.99
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, providing leading-edge care in patient care, biomedical research, education, and community service. Our facilities include two university hospitals, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, the only Burn Center in the county, and dozens of outpatient clinics. We invite you to join our team!

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace