Occupational Therapist I - Hand Therapy

Description

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Summary

UNC Hospitals Rehabilitation Services is seeking a compassionate, motivated, and dedicated Occupational Therapist I to join our multidisciplinary Hand Therapy Clinic at the Ambulatory Care Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

This is an excellent opportunity for an occupational therapist interested in developing or expanding their expertise in outpatient hand therapy and upper extremity rehabilitation within a collaborative academic medical center environment. We welcome applications from both experienced therapists and early-career clinicians, including recent graduates, who demonstrate strong clinical potential, a commitment to evidence-based practice, and an interest in specialty rehabilitation.

In this full-time role, you will provide comprehensive, individualized occupational therapy services to patients with a broad range of upper extremity conditions across the continuum of care. Our Hand Therapy Clinic serves patients with preoperative, postoperative, nonoperative, acute, and chronic musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and soft tissue conditions , ranging from common injuries to more complex rehabilitation needs.

Typical diagnoses include fractures, tendon repairs and injuries, nerve compressions and injuries, ligament injuries, arthroplasties, joint stiffness, arthritis, soft tissue injuries, and other conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow, and upper extremity. You will help patients recover from surgery, manage persistent conditions, regain independence, and return to meaningful activities involving daily living, work, recreation, and functional participation.

A distinguishing feature of our Hand Therapy Clinic is its strong emphasis on custom splint and orthosis fabrication , including static, dynamic, and static-progressive orthoses. This position offers an opportunity to develop or expand these specialized skills through collaboration with experienced hand therapists, clinical mentorship, and hands-on learning. Clinicians will develop proficiency in orthosis fabrication, modification, and progression appropriate to their experience, demonstrated competencies, and the needs of the patient population.

We take pride in our commitment to personalized, one-on-one care with 45-minute treatment sessions , allowing therapists to build meaningful therapeutic relationships and provide individualized, evidence-based treatment. Appointment durations may vary to accommodate specialized splinting, postoperative care, walk-in needs, and other clinical priorities. Documentation time is incorporated into clinical scheduling, with opportunities for appropriate clinical and administrative support.

Our clinic serves a diverse patient population, including individuals from underserved communities and patients with complex medical, socioeconomic, cultural, and language-related needs. This environment provides opportunities to develop clinical reasoning, adaptability, and culturally responsive care while making a meaningful difference in patients' lives.

The Hand Therapy Clinic offers a highly collaborative specialty practice environment with opportunities to work closely with hand surgeons, orthopedic physicians, advanced practice providers, rehabilitation specialists, students, and other healthcare professionals . Clinicians benefit from interdisciplinary communication, specialty education, mentorship, and the opportunity to participate in professional development, clinical teaching, quality improvement, and program development initiatives.

Work Location Flexibility: Although this position is affiliated with the UNC Hospitals Hand Center at the Ambulatory Care Center in Chapel Hill, the selected candidate may have the opportunity for a single-site assignment or a split-site arrangement across UNC Hospitals outpatient therapy locations. Potential additional practice locations include Mebane and Cary. Final assignments will be determined by clinical service needs, available opportunities, and the selected clinician's interests, experience, and demonstrated competencies.

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.

• Monday through Friday, approximately 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.

• Day shift, onsite clinical care.

• Primary affiliation: UNC Hospitals Hand Center, Ambulatory Care Center, Chapel Hill, NC.

• Single-site or split-site outpatient therapy assignment may be considered based on clinical needs, available positions, and selected candidate qualifications.

• Potential additional UNC Hospitals outpatient therapy locations include Mebane, Durham, and Cary.

• Specific daily hours, clinical scheduling, and site assignments may be adjusted based on operational needs.

This role is ideal for an occupational therapist who values individualized patient care, clinical collaboration, lifelong learning, and the opportunity to build a rewarding career in hand therapy and upper extremity rehabilitation.

Core Responsibilities

Patient Evaluation & Care:

Provide comprehensive, evidence-based occupational therapy evaluation, consultation, skilled treatment, and patient and caregiver education. Assess patients with a broad range of upper extremity musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and soft tissue conditions. Deliver individualized treatment addressing functional limitations, mobility, strength, coordination, pain, edema, and participation in meaningful daily activities.

Clinical Assessment & Diagnostic Testing:

Select and administer appropriate occupational therapy assessments, standardized measures, and clinical testing procedures. Interpret findings to identify impairments, establish functional goals, and support individualized treatment planning. Develop clinical reasoning and decision-making skills through experience, professional education, and consultation with experienced colleagues.

Plan of Care Development & Implementation:

Develop, implement, and modify individualized, evidence-based treatment plans based on clinical findings, patient goals, medical precautions, and response to intervention. Apply appropriate therapeutic exercises, manual techniques, neuromuscular interventions, functional activities, and patient education. Monitor progress and adjust interventions to promote safe recovery, functional improvement, and continuity of care.

Hand Therapy & Custom Orthosis Fabrication:

Participate in the evaluation, fabrication, fitting, modification, and progression of custom upper extremity orthoses, including static, dynamic, and static-progressive designs as appropriate to demonstrated competencies. Develop knowledge of tissue healing, postoperative precautions, orthotic principles, and rehabilitation protocols. Collaborate with experienced hand therapists and referring providers to ensure safe, effective interventions.

Documentation, Billing & Caseload Management:

Complete timely and accurate occupational therapy documentation, billing, and required clinical records in accordance with departmental guidelines and regulatory standards. Manage daily patient care responsibilities efficiently while maintaining high-quality, individualized treatment. Meet applicable productivity expectations while supporting patient access, appropriate resource utilization, and continuity of care.

Clinical Education & Professional Development:

Actively participate in orientation, clinical mentorship, continuing education, in-service training, and competency development. Seek opportunities to strengthen clinical knowledge and technical skills in hand therapy, custom orthosis fabrication, and upper extremity rehabilitation. Assist with student education, clinical teaching, and peer learning as appropriate to experience, competency, and departmental needs.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

Work closely with hand surgeons, orthopedic physicians, advanced practice providers, rehabilitation colleagues, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care. Maintain effective communication regarding patient progress, treatment recommendations, precautions, and rehabilitation goals. Participate in collaborative clinical discussions and contribute to a supportive, team-oriented practice environment.

Clinical Program Support & Quality Improvement:

Participate in departmental meetings, clinical education, evidence-based practice initiatives, and quality improvement activities. Assist experienced clinicians and departmental leaders with the implementation and evaluation of clinical programs, treatment protocols, and operational improvements. Contribute ideas that support clinical excellence, patient safety, patient access, and efficient care delivery.

Research, Outreach & Community Involvement:

Engage in professional development, evidence-based practice, community education, and outreach opportunities as appropriate. Support clinical research or quality improvement projects when available and aligned with clinical responsibilities. Participate in activities that promote occupational therapy, rehabilitation services, injury prevention, and improved community access to specialty care.

Other Information

Other information:

Education Requirements:

• Graduation from an accredited Occupational Therapy program.

Licensure/Certification Requirements:

• Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the state of North Carolina.

• BLS within 3 months of hire date.

Professional Experience Requirements:

• No prior experience required.

• Experience or clinical exposure in outpatient hand therapy, orthopedic rehabilitation, or upper extremity rehabilitation is preferred but not required.

• Previous experience with custom splinting or orthosis fabrication is preferred but not required.

• Interest in developing advanced hand therapy skills and pursuing future specialty certification, including Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credentials when eligible, is encouraged.

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:

• Strong interest in patient-centered, evidence-based occupational therapy practice.

• Ability to evaluate and treat patients with a broad range of upper extremity conditions, with appropriate orientation, consultation, and competency development.

• Interest in developing skills in hand therapy, postoperative rehabilitation, clinical assessment, and custom orthosis fabrication.

• Effective communication, interpersonal, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.

• Strong organizational, documentation, time-management, and clinical problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to adapt treatment approaches to the needs of patients with diverse diagnoses, functional goals, cultural backgrounds, and healthcare access challenges.

• Commitment to professional growth, continuing education, and maintaining safe, ethical, and effective clinical practice.

• Ability to perform the physical responsibilities associated with occupational therapy evaluation and treatment, with reasonable accommodations as applicable.

Job Details

Legal Employer: STATE

Entity: UNC Medical Center

Organization Unit: Occupational Therapy Hand ACC

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Salary Range: $35.87 - $51.57 per hour (Hiring Range)

Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes

This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.

UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email [email protected] if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.