Hand Therapy Fellowship

The Hospital for Special Surgery Hand Therapy Fellowship is a clinically-based training program for experienced physical and occupational therapists seeking to specialize in hand therapy.

The mission of the program is to provide these therapists with a comprehensive, structured program of clinical and didactic experiences for the development of advanced critical reasoning and clinical skills in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation.

Fellows spend approximately 50% of their time in educational experiences and 50% providing supervised patient care.
A stipend is provided.

Dates: September 1, 2009 – May 28, 2010

Application Deadline: April 30, 2009;
non-refundable application fee of $25

Application Form (pdf)

Location: Hospital for Special Surgery Hand Therapy Center

Fellowship Contact:
Carol Page, PT, DPT, CHT
Manager, Strategic Improvement and Education
Clinical Supervisor, Hand Therapy
212.774.7170
pagec@hss.edu

Curriculum

The educational component of Hand Therapy Fellowship includes a comprehensive series of weekly lectures, weekly custom splinting labs, conferences with the HSS Hand Service surgeons, inservices given by the Hand Therapy Center staff, and monthly Rehabilitation Department inservices.

In addition, fellows work closely with the HSS Hand Service surgeons, and have the opportunity to observe hand and upper extremity surgery. Fellows also observe, co-treat with, and receive weekly one-on-one case supervision from our staff of expert hand therapists.

Goals

On completion the fellowship program, hand therapy fellows will:

• Demonstrate the use of critical reasoning skills for clinical decision making;
• Apply an understanding of the hand and upper extremity to the examination, evaluation, and treatment of individuals with disorders affecting this region;
• Demonstrate clinical skills specific to the examination, evaluation, and treatment of hand and upper extremity disorders, including effective fabrication and use of splints as a component of comprehensive patient care;
• Effectively communicate and collaborate with patients, families, staff, and other health care professionals to achieve optimal treatment outcomes;
• Demonstrate professional behavior and values, participation in continuing learning experiences, and commitment to advancing the profession of hand therapy;
• Draw from multiple resources to contribute to the care of individuals and patient populations.

Target participants

Preferred applicants are physical and occupational therapists with 3 or more years of experience, including 1 or more years in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation in an outpatient orthopedic setting.

All applicants are required to be graduates of an accredited professional program, have current licensure and registration in the State of New York or eligibility to attain them prior to the start of the program, and be covered under an individual professional liability insurance policy. A minimum of 1 year of experience in an outpatient orthopedic setting is required.

Hand Therapy Center

The fellowship program is based at the hospital’s Hand Therapy Center. We provide specialized treatment, including custom splinting when indicated, for patients with injuries and conditions related to the hand and other upper extremity joints. Conditions that are treated in the Hand Therapy Center include fractures, trauma, overuse conditions, arthritis and congenital abnormalities.

Our staff of occupational and physical therapists, including 8 certified hand therapists, have specialized training and clinical expertise in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation, including custom splinting.

Our therapists are locally and nationally recognized, have lectured and presented at national conferences, and published articles in major therapy and surgery journals and textbooks. We work closely with the hand surgeons to provide a comprehensive treatment approach.

Application and supporting materials
should be submitted by April 30th with a
$25 non re-fundable application fee
(check made out to Hospital for Special Surgery) to:

Carol Page, PT, DPT, CHT
Manager, Strategic Improvement and Education
Clinical Supervisor, Hand Therapy
Hospital for Special Surgery
535 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021