Occupational Therapist III - Hand Therapist

Job Description

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.
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.

• 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 time frames.
• 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…