Occupational Therapist III - Hand Therapist

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system at UChicago Medicine as an Occupational Therapist III - Hand Therapist at our Hyde Park Campus.

The Occupational Therapist III – Hand Therapist provides advanced comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation for patients with complex hand and upper extremity conditions within the Therapy Services department.

This role specializes in the management of traumatic injuries, post-operative conditions, tendon and nerve repairs, fractures, arthritis, repetitive strain disorders, and other upper extremity diagnoses.

A significant component of the practice includes the design, fabrication, fitting, and modification of custom orthoses to support optimal healing and functional outcomes.

The therapist collaborates closely with hand surgeons and multidisciplinary providers to deliver evidence-based care through advanced clinical decision-making, specialized upper extremity rehabilitation, and custom orthotic management.

In addition to delivering exceptional patient care, this role leads performance and quality improvement initiatives, supports program development, spearheads clinical research, advances evidence-based practice within the specialty of hand therapy, and serves as a clinical instructor for occupational therapy students, providing mentorship and high-quality clinical education as part of the department's academic mission.

Essential Job Functions

• Conducts advanced comprehensive evaluations using appropriate tests and measurements to determine occupational therapy problems, functional levels, and recommended treatment plans.
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to establish patient disposition.

Patient-Centered Care

• Demonstrates and shares advanced knowledge and application of patient care protocols that address the physical, psychosocial, and developmental needs of neonatal, pediatric, adult and geriatric populations.
• Adheres to departmental policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Develops and leads performance and quality improvement activities.
• Develops occupational therapy interventions in collaboration with the patient/family, referring practitioner and treatment team goals.
• Performs advanced occupational therapy techniques and procedures.
• Ensures continuity of care through timely and effective written and verbal communication with team members and other treating disciplines, particularly when planning absences.
• Attends rounds, conferences, and clinics as assigned, providing patient updates and discharge recommendations.
• Identifies and recommends necessary patient care equipment prior to discharge and assists with procurement as appropriate.
• Accurately documents evaluations, progress notes, and all procedures performed within established timeframes.
• Completes compliant, timely, and accurate patient billing at the end of each day.
• Instructs patients and families in home exercise programs.
• Provides education on therapy diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment plans.
• Persistent pursuit of advanced level of practice or specialty.
• Leads departmental and/or organizational committees.
• Assumes lead responsibility in the absence of the supervisor or manager as assigned.
• Participates in assigned, pre-defined aspects of affiliated OT/OTA student training and post graduate training (13-16 weeks required).
• Contributes to the body of OT professional knowledge through presentation, journal submission, research, teaching, section/ task force participation, or other quantifiable activities. Actively participates and takes leadership role in local, state or national professional communities.
• Leads designing, monitoring and implementing Performance and Quality Improvement (PI) processes to enhance service delivery and advance clinical care initiatives.

Research & Program Development

• Spearheads research and/or program development designing, monitoring and implementing initiatives.
• Achieves ongoing participation in activities that enhance the research and program development of the organization and the profession.

Operational Support

• Supports department operations through logistics, scheduling, and environment-of-care tasks.
• Performs other duties as requested by Therapy Services management.

Qualifications

• Requires graduation from an approved occupational therapy school.
• Minimum of 4 years clinical occupational therapy experience.
• Advanced certification or degree beyond entry level
• Demonstrated sustained leadership in performance and quality improvement initiatives and program development and/or research.
• Completion of AOTA Fieldwork Educators Workshop
• Requires current occupational therapy license in the State of Illinois (or eligibility to practice) and
• CPR/BLS certification

Skills

• Advanced clinical knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-specific and appropriate care for the patient populations served.
• Demonstrated consistent accomplishment of basic accountabilities and initiative and leadership to take on additional responsibilities.
• Proficiency in supervision and mentorship of staff and students.
• Basic computer proficiency.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective interaction with patients, families, the multidisciplinary team, and external partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master's or doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.

Position Details

• Job Type/FTE: Full-Time
• Shift: Days
• Unit/Department: Occupational Therapy
• Work Location: Hyde Park
• CBA Code: Non-Union