Certified Hand Therapist

Completes medically prescribed rehabilitation therapy, evaluates, plans and implements treatment program, and reassesses patient status as indicated to restore function and/or maximize ability following disease or disability. Provides mentorship and education/in-servicing to less experienced therapists (minimum of one in-service per year). Assists therapy staff in daily operations, i.e., prioritizing patient caseload, utilizing support personnel, assists the department with program development and physician relationships, etc.

1. Completes thorough and accurate initial assessment and establishes appropriate plan of care for each patient as prescribed by physician.
2. Utilizes appropriate and accurate diagnostic/prognostic musculoskeletal, nerve, joint, and functional ability tests.
3. Completes Skilled Nursing Facility resident quarterly screens and MDS documentation as required.
4. Implements appropriate treatment utilizing modalities, manual techniques, fine motor activities, cognitive-perceptual and sensorimotor activities, therapeutic exercise for gross motor strength and range of motion, functional mobility and Activity of Daily Living (ADL) training, patient and family/care person education, and specialized interventional as indicated.
5. Educates patient and care persons in use and care of therapeutic equipment: assistive and adaptive devices, orthotic and prosthetic devices, etc.
6. Provides patient education in all areas of rehabilitation plan of care to maximize patient independence and assist in the efficiency of the rehabilitation process.
7. Adapts plan of care to ensure optimal learning in patients with altered cognition or communication.
8. Adapts plan of care as needed to ensure that patients of all age groups and cultures receive optimum benefit of treatment.
9. Documents initial evaluation, daily treatment, reassessment, discharge and supplementary documentation as indicated thoroughly and accurately to provide effective communication with physicians and members of the rehabilitation team.
10. Participates in multidisciplinary treatment and discharge planning.
11. For OT Hand Therapist – Directs and supervises Occupational Therapy Assistants, Rehab Aides, students, and other support personnel as indicated by NYS licensure.

             For PT Hand Therapist – Directs and supervises Physical Therapy Assistants, Rehab Aides, students, and other support personnel as indicated by NYS licensure.

12. Acts as clinical instructor for rehab student program at least once per year.
13. Provides mentorship and education/in-servicing to less experienced therapists. Minimum of one in-service per year.
14. Participates in CVPH and/or rehabilitation oriented committees or special programs. Minimum of one special project/program per year.
15. Assists therapy staff in daily operations (i.e., prioritizing patient case load, utilizing support personnel, etc.).
16. Works with patients who have a variety of injuries, surgeries and hand problems. Need to be able to design and apply specialty splints and devices for each patient, must remain current with the latest trends and techniques the hand surgeons are utilizing, in order to provide best patient outcomes, including 80 hours of professional development over a 5 year certification period.
17. Other duties as assigned.

1. BS or MS in Physical or Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution required.
2. Valid and current NY State License:
• Occupational Therapist must be licensed and registered with the National Board Certification for Occupational (NBCOT) and with the NYS Office of Professions.
• Physical Therapist must be licensed and registered with the the NYS Office of Professions.

3. A valid and current Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) certification from the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC). Must demonstrate continued professional development and competency by recertifying their CHT certification through HTCC every 5 years.
4. Ability to physically treat inpatients or outpatients and complete accurate and legible documentation as per established guidelines.
5. Ability to qualitatively evaluate and treat all age groups and diagnostic categories in both an inpatient and outpatient setting.
6. Ability to communicate effectively with patient and caretakers regarding treatment plan, level of expected patient participation, and expected outcome.
7. Ability to communicate effectively with the public and the hospital staff, as a member of the Rehabilitation team.
8. May require travel to off-site locations.

As applicable, the individual has training/competency in attending to the special needs and/or behaviors appropriate to the age of the patients for which care is being provided.