NX Hand Therapist

Job Summary

This paragraph summarizes the general nature, level and purpose of the job.

The Hand Therapist demonstrates advanced clinical reasoning skills in assessing and treating patients with a variety of simple to complex upper extremity injuries. The therapist works as an integral part of the Rehabilitation interdisciplinary team and treats patients both in the clinic and in the hospital.

The therapist participates in department and unit committees, including performance improvement activities and other projects and duties when assigned. The therapist orients new staff, mentors staff when appropriate, and may supervise students within the respective discipline. Secondary to the Hand Therapist's certification, the CHT will be expected to adhere to the scope of practice associated with their specific discipline.

Hand Therapists assigned to treat pediatric patients at LPCHS provide intervention to infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents with disorders that affect development of motor and behavioral skills within the professional scope of practice.

Essential Functions

• The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification.
• They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities.
• Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Employees must abide by all Joint Commission Requirements including but not limited to sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patient rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety Goals, and licensure and health screenings.

Must perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the hospital's policies and procedures, including its Service Standards and its Code of Conduct.

• Completes all documentation and billing accurately and in a timely fashion, including Medicare forms, monthly progress notes and discharge summaries. Insures that prescriptions are up to date and comprehensive for the treatments given.
• Consistently follows-up on outstanding issues, including contacting physician for changes in or additions to orders, new prescriptions, and discharge planning.
• Coordinates care of patient with other health professionals; including MD's and case managers.
• Delegates appropriate treatments to assistants and aides and provide appropriate supervision, follow-up and co-signatures.
• Discharges patient from treatment when appropriate with adequate discharge planning including equipment procurement and family training, and communicates this appropriately to patient, family and health care team.
• Examines, assesses and documents skeletal, muscular, nervous, vascular, lymphatic, skin and connective tissue status; Assesses and documents psychosocial, functional, and ergonomic factors and status; Identifies impairments, functional limitations and disabilities based on the results of assessment; reassesses and documents patient status at appropriate intervals.
• Performs all necessary patient care documentation, including assessment, plan of care, progress notes, discharge summaries, and charges for evaluation and treatment. Documentation reflects patient status, progress or change, participation by patient and family in goal setting and delivery of care.
• Performs complex patient care tasks with advanced skills in clinical reasoning, problem-solving and treatment interventions. Assesses and treats patients within professional organization's scope of practice including but not limited to the application of modalities, therapeutic exercise and splint fabrication.
• Provides direct patient care that meets department and professional standards of practice, including patient assessment, development of therapy care plan, patient treatment, family/caregiver training and discharge planning. Serves as consultant in an area of clinical specialty to staff therapists and outpatient clinics or participate on clinic teams to evaluate or recommend treatment.
• Selects and administers appropriate assessment and treatment techniques. Performs age appropriate competency skills in area of practice and with respect to individual patient's problems.
• Supervises students when assigned; provides mentoring and orientation to others when appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

• Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying.
• Education: Requirement met by License/Certification Requirement.
• Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible and directly related work experience.

License/Certification

• Occupational Therapist by California Board of Occupational Therapy
• Basic Life Support by American Heart Association (AHA)
• or
• RQI Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support
• Certified Hand Therapist by Hand Therapy Certification Commission
• Physical Therapist by California Physical Therapy Board

Knowledge

These are the observable and measurable attributes and skills required to perform successfully the essential functions of the job and are generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education or licensure/certification.

• Ability to clinically supervise, train and evaluate students/interns.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to demonstrate advanced professional and clinical skills; keeps abreast of current trends and practice issues in hand therapy.
• Ability to provide appropriate care and progress treatment based on professional standards of practice, and on the needs of the specific individual, including age and developmental considerations, cultural and psychosocial issues, precautions and medical condition.
• Ability to utilize sound clinical reasoning to determine appropriate patient interventions; demonstrates good safety awareness, judgment and problem analysis and resolution.
• Ability to work well with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Knowledge and adherence to Code of Ethics and performance standards specific to the clinician's professional organization.
• Knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional area.
• Knowledge of Etiology and pathology of medical conditions that may manifest with signs or symptoms in the hand or upper extremity.
• Knowledge of evaluation and treatment methodologies as applied to patients.
• Knowledge of Kinesiology and biomechanics relative to the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand.
• Knowledge of principles of tissue/wound healing.
• Knowledge of regulatory practice requirements.
• Knowledge of surface anatomy of the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand.

Additional Information: Pay Range

Compensation is based on the level and requirements of the role.

Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, location, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Typically, new team members join at the minimum to mid salary range.