Certified Hand Therapist

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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: 

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

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

EXPERIENCE:

1. Two (2) years of experience 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. Carries 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 StreetUniontownPennsylvania

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.