Job Summary:   The Certified Hand Therapist is responsible for providing safe and effective delivery of patient care through assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient and family needs within the parameters of the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act or Illinois Physical Therapy Practice Act in order to deliver care promoting optimal recovery and rehabilitation.  The occupational/physical therapist promotes safe and effective care to all age groups from infants to geriatrics, coordinating care with the physician and any others involved in the patients care.  The occupational/physical therapist will provide care throughout the continuum and rotate through the various therapy sites as needed.  The Certified Hand Therapist will be the sole provider in carrying out specialized care for patients with appropriate hand therapy prescription.

Job Responsibilities:  

1. Supports patients rights and responsibilities, including respect of cultural and religious diversity.
2. Demonstrates flexibility to meet staffing needs of department/organization and appearance.
3. Meets productivity standards, accepting low census time and/or extra time as needed.
4. Demonstrates leadership abilities while appropriately following the chain of command.
5. Performs and evaluates appropriate and complete evaluation based on patient diagnoses and specific to care, leading to appropriate care planning decisions.
6. Provides age-appropriate and population specific care in a safe, skillful, accurate and efficient manner to infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, school age children, adolescents, adults and geriatrics as appropriate to treatment area(s)
7. Assesses patient and family learning needs and provides ongoing education and evaluation.  Documents readiness to learn, teaching, barriers and outcomes.
8. Reassesses significant change in patients condition and updates care plan appropriately.
9. Identifies patient care to formulate and/or contribute to the discharge plan.
10. Completes documentation accurately and in a timely manner, according to hospital policies and procedures.
11. Provides sole care to patients requiring the skill of a Certified Hand Therapist

Education Requirements and Other Requirements:

Education Level:   Graduate of an occupational therapy curriculum approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association or graduate of a physical therapy curriculum approved by the American Physical

Therapy Association

Certification/Licensure:   Licensed in the State of Illinois; Certification given by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission

Experience Requirements:   One year of experience in a health care setting is required to provide home health services.  Three years of experience to apply for CHT certification, including 4000 hours of direct  practice in hand therapy.

Other Requirements:   Must be able to complete computer work.