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Hand therapy is intended to bring relief and restoration to hand problems. Becoming a certified hand therapist requires a considerable amount of dedication. Even though you can start out with little to no experience, it helps if you already have some knowledge on the subject. So before you decide to become a certified hand therapist, here’s what you need to know:
What is a hand therapist?
A hand therapist is a health care professional who specializes in physical therapy for the upper extremities, or arms and hands.
Hand therapists treat patients with conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, tendonitis and other injuries to the hand and wrist. They also help people recover from surgery on their hands or wrists.
In order to become a certified hand therapist (CHT), you’ll need several years of post-graduate education as well as certain certifications specific to your field of study. The exact requirements vary depending on where you’re practicing; some states require additional education beyond what is required by national standards, for example. In general though, certification should be obtained before practice begins—and it’s important that all health care professionals keep their skills up-to-date with continuing education classes so they can provide the most effective treatments possible for patients who rely on them every day.”
Why become a hand therapist?
Practicing as a hand therapist is an exciting and rewarding career. Hand therapists have a huge impact on people’s lives, and they also enjoy a lot of autonomy in their work. The field of hand therapy is growing quickly as more people are experiencing injuries to their hands. Last but not least, there’s plenty of job security for those who become certified hand therapists.
What education is required to become a hand therapist?
To become a hand therapist, you must have a degree in occupational therapy. In addition, you must have at least five years of experience as a hand therapist before applying for certification. In order to be eligible for certification, you must complete 4,000 hours of clinical practice in the last three years and pass the AHTA certifying exam.
What skills are required to become a hand therapist?
As a hand therapist, you will be responsible for treating patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, hand and upper extremity injuries and other related conditions. You can specialize in one of three areas:
- Hand surgery
- Orthopedics/sports medicine
- Pediatric rehabilitation
It takes dedication and education to become a successful hand therapist.
Becoming a certified hand therapist takes dedication and education. Working with hands is a rewarding career, but it’s not for everyone. Successful hand therapists are meticulous, patient and compassionate people who can stand to spend hours on end with someone else’s hands while they work through their issues. They help patients heal after surgery or injury by teaching them how to properly lift objects or perform everyday tasks like washing dishes so that they don’t further damage their hands.
The path from student to professional begins with getting the proper training from an accredited school or program before entering the field as an entry-level therapist at a clinic or hospital setting where you’ll gain experience working with various types of injuries and conditions. It takes years of practice before you’ll feel fully qualified in your new profession; however, there are certifications available that can help guide you along the way toward achieving success as a certified hand therapist
How to become a certified hand therapist
Becoming a certified hand therapist is a long, difficult process. It requires a lot of dedication, effort and patience. If you are interested in becoming a certified hand therapist, it is important to understand what this career entails and the steps that need to be taken to become one.
- Understand the Job Description
Hand therapists use their skills to help patients regain movement and function after an injury or surgery. They work with patients who have had fractures, orthopedic surgeries such as joint replacements, nerve injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and others.
- Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences
Your degree can be in any field related to health sciences like kinesiology or physical therapy along with a minor in therapeutic recreation. You will also need courses in anatomy, physiology and patient care methods.
- Complete an Approved Residency Program
After graduating from college with your bachelor’s degree, you must complete at least 2 years of supervised clinical training under the supervision of an experienced hand therapist before being able to take the certification exam which is administered by the American Academy of Hand Therapists (AAHT). The AAHT provides online continuing education programs for those already working as therapists who want to stay up
