Learn The 5 Steps to Become A Certified Hand Therapist

If you're an occupational therapist you're aware of the vast the occupations we can pick from. From rehab inpatients, emergency care pediatrics and home health to the neuro-outpatient and of course hand therapy.

If you're thinking of pursuing the field of hand therapy, then you'll likely want to look into becoming certified as a Hand Therapist (CHT) after having completed the necessary requirements.

The process to become certified as a Certified Hand Therapist (HRT) is very rigorous and requires additional steps beyond attending OT school and obtaining employment as a hand therapist.

Although there are many opportunities in hand therapies across the globe, it is important to note that the guidelines in this article pertain to only the United States. The country you reside in may have different standards, so it is important to inquire with your regulatory bodies if you're not in the US.

Occupational therapists and physical therapists collaborate with a broad variety of patients and develop treatment plans that improve the patient's functioning. The attainment of additional certifications in the field of occupational therapy can enable you to focus on a specific area that you are interested in and help more difficult situations. Understanding the requirements for particular certifications are required can aid you in deciding if you'd like to pursue these additional qualifications. The article we will discuss the qualifications of a certified hand therapist, what it is and what they do and how you can become an accredited hand therapist, and the advantages of obtaining this certification.

What exactly is a hand therapist who is certified?

Certified hand therapist (CHT) is an authorized physical or occupational therapist who has achieved a specialized certificate in hand therapy. They have worked in their field, they have completed a certification test and have completed the other requirements for certification to earn an CHT designation. Professional therapists work with clients to assist them recover and maintain their ability to function and maintain their independence. Hand therapists certified by the AAPT are skilled enough to treat illnesses and injuries which affect the hand and arm.

Hand therapists work in a variety of settings to evaluate the condition of patients, and to treat them for a variety of reasons, such as:

·         Outpatient therapy clinics

·         Inpatient rehabilitation centers

·         Hospitals

1. Earn your Master's or Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy.

As of this time it is not possible to become certified as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and then become an accredited Hand Therapist (CHT) only if you've completed a Master's or Doctoral bridge program. It is possible to possess a Master's or Doctorate in Physical Therapy and then become CHT, but most CHT's are occupational therapy.

2.Have a Current OT State License

The CHT certification requires that you have an occupational therapy license that is active in the state that you'll practice in. It's likely that you already have this license as you gain expertise, so this is simple.

3.Perusing higher degree course like Post graduation in hand therapy

It is essential to study for this field of expertise. Before you begin applying for jobs, you'll need to ensure that you are well-informed about the anatomy and circumstances of your hand.

OT school provides an overview of how to work with hands , but it doesn't give you the skills to be able to attend an instruction in hand without having any relevant fieldwork knowledge.

This is why it is very beneficial to take a few continuing education hand courses in your repertoire before you can get your first hand-on job.

You can find weekend-long in-person classes throughout the year by conducting a quick Google search. I also suggest enrolling in online continuing education classes related to hands via platforms.

4. Get internship training in outpatient Hand therapy Clinic

As per the Hand Therapy Certification Commission The certification is based on at least three years of experience in clinical practice which includes the requirement of 4,000 hours or more of direct therapy on the upper extremity.

The four thousand hours of direct training experiences must be linked to the upper hand. Internship is important to gather your hours of experiences. Therapy settings for outpatients are the best option to do this.

Many clinics will recruit and prepare you to become hand therapists before you've earned the CHT certification. Be sure to have attended continuing education classes that are related to hand therapy before you embark on this path to be ready.

5. Give Entrance Exam for Hand Therapy Examination

The Entrance examination on Hand therapy is a challenging four-hour test that is computer-based and consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. Please visit our HTCC exam costs page to get the most up-to-date details.

The test will cover a wide range of topics from the anatomy and physiology of hand and upper limbs treatments, tools and techniques for assessment and therapeutic treatments, in addition to other aspects.