Occupational Therapist I (Per Diem) - Hand Therapy

UNC Health; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 59,000 - 84,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

UNC Health benefits

Job summary

UNC Health in Chapel Hill, NC seeks an Occupational Therapist I (Per Diem) to provide specialty outpatient hand therapy at the Hand Center. You’ll deliver evidence-based evaluation and treatment to upper-extremity conditions in an academic medical setting, with emphasis on individualized, one-on-one care and custom orthosis fabrication.

The role offers midday to early-evening shifts (roughly 12:00 PM–6:30 PM), 8 hours per week, and cross-coverage opportunities at other UNC Therapy sites.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited Occupational Therapy program.
• Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in North Carolina.
• BLS certification within three months of hire, if required for the position.
• Outpatient hand therapy/orthosis fabrication experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide skilled occupational therapy evaluation, treatment, reassessment, and education for outpatient upper extremity patients.
• Provide hand therapy and orthosis fabrication within demonstrated competencies.
• Communicate with hand surgeons, physicians, and rehabilitation colleagues.
• Complete accurate clinical documentation and manage caseload efficiently.
• Support flexible clinic coverage and adapt to different locations as needed.
• Maintain current clinical competencies and participate in education and quality improvement.

Skills

Patient-centered reasoning

Effective communication

Time management

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Documentation skills

Education

Graduation from an accredited OT program

Job description

Description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Summary

UNC Hospitals Rehabilitation Services is seeking a flexible and motivated Occupational Therapist I (Per Diem) to provide specialty outpatient coverage at the UNC Hospitals Hand Center, located at the Ambulatory Care Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

This position offers an opportunity to provide evidence-based hand therapy and upper extremity rehabilitation in a collaborative academic medical center. Patients present with a range of preoperative, postoperative, acute, and chronic conditions, including fractures, tendon and nerve injuries, arthritis, joint stiffness, soft tissue injuries, and other conditions affecting hand, wrist, elbow, and upper extremity function.

Our clinic emphasizes individualized, one-on-one care with primarily 45-minute appointments. Treatment may include therapeutic exercise, functional rehabilitation, postoperative management, edema and scar management, patient education, and custom splint or orthosis fabrication as appropriate to the clinician’s experience and demonstrated competencies. Appointment lengths may vary to accommodate postoperative care, walk-in needs, and orthosis fabrication.

Scheduling Flexibility: Our greatest coverage need is during midday, afternoon, and early evening hours, ideally between approximately 12:00 PM and 6:30 PM. Candidates able to work all or part of this window, particularly the later hours, are strongly encouraged to apply. Opportunities for morning and other daytime coverage are also available. Days, shift lengths, and hours will vary with clinical needs and therapist availability.

Work Schedule

• - Per diem (0.20 FTE), with 8 standard hours per week; actual scheduled hours and shift lengths may vary based on clinic needs and availability.
• - Flexible days and shifts based on clinic operating schedules and staffing needs.
• - Preferred availability: approximately 12:00 PM–6:30 PM, or a portion of this window, with later afternoon and early evening coverage especially valued.
• - Additional opportunities to cover morning and other daytime hours as needed.
• - Primary site: UNC Hospitals Hand Center, Ambulatory Care Center, Chapel Hill, NC.
• - Possible cross-coverage at UNC Therapy Services locations in Mebane and Cary, based on clinical needs, availability, and competencies.
• - The primary practice location is the UNC Hospitals Hand Center in Chapel Hill, with potential opportunities to provide cross-coverage at UNC Therapy Services locations in Mebane and Cary based on staffing needs, availability, and clinical competencies.

Core Responsibilities

Patient Evaluation & Treatment: Provide skilled occupational therapy evaluation, treatment, reassessment, and patient or caregiver education for a diverse outpatient upper extremity population. Establish individualized functional goals and implement evidence-based plans of care.

Hand Therapy & Orthosis Fabrication: Provide upper extremity interventions and participate in custom splinting or orthosis fabrication, fitting, adjustment, and education within demonstrated competencies. Collaborate with experienced hand therapists and referring providers as needed to support safe, appropriate care.

Clinical Collaboration: Communicate effectively with hand surgeons, physicians, advanced practice providers, rehabilitation colleagues, and other members of the care team regarding patient precautions, progress, and treatment plans.

Documentation & Caseload Management: Complete accurate and timely clinical documentation, charges, and required records. Manage assigned visits efficiently while maintaining patient safety, quality, access, and continuity of care.

Flexible Clinic Coverage: Support scheduled patient care, staffing gaps, and changes in clinic volume. Adapt to different schedules or approved outpatient practice locations as agreed upon and appropriate to clinical training and competencies.

Professional Practice: Maintain current clinical competencies, participate in appropriate orientation and team communication, and contribute to education and quality improvement activities as opportunities arise during assigned shifts.

Other Information

Other information:

Education Requirements:

• ● Graduation from an accredited Occupational Therapy program.

Licensure/Certification Requirements:

• ● Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the state of North Carolina.

BLS certification within three months of hire, if required for the assigned position.

Professional Experience Requirements:

• No prior professional occupational therapy experience required.
• Outpatient hand therapy, orthopedic rehabilitation, and custom splinting or orthosis fabrication experience preferred but not required.
• Ability and willingness to provide safe specialty care within established training, demonstrated competencies, and available clinical support.

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:

• Patient-centered clinical reasoning, effective communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Strong documentation, time-management, and organizational skills.
• Interest in hand therapy, upper extremity rehabilitation, and continued clinical learning.
• Ability to deliver safe care to patients with diverse clinical and functional needs.

Job Details

Legal Employer: STATE

Entity: UNC Medical Center

Organization Unit: Occupational Therapy Hand ACC

Work Type: Per Diem

Standard Hours Per Week: 8.00

Salary Range:$52.02 per hour (Hiring Range)

Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No

This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.

UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities.