Description

Hand Therapist / Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)

Occupational Therapist — Full-Time

Orthopedic Campus | North Platte, Nebraska

Organization Overview

Great Plains Sports and Therapy is a comprehensive sports medicine and rehabilitation facility located on an orthopedic campus in North Platte, Nebraska. Our newly constructed, state-of-the-art clinic features a dedicated hand therapy clinic; alongside specialized facility space to treat neurological conditions, woman's health , lymphedema, sports rehabilitation, pediatric populations, and industrial rehabilitation.  We provide services to a broad regional population across western Nebraska, including support and mentorship to rural clinical partners throughout the area.

Position Summary

Great Plains Sports and Therapy seeks a skilled and motivated Occupational Therapist to join our hand therapy team in a full-time capacity. This position is embedded within a fully integrated orthopedic hand program, operating across both our sports and therapy clinic and a dedicated hand clinic located within our orthopedic physician office. The therapist in this role functions as an essential member of the orthopedic hand team, working in direct collaboration with orthopedic and hand surgeons, nursing staff, physical therapists, and athletic trainers.

Both clinic environments were designed by and for hand therapists, with a strong emphasis on orthotic fabrication, creative clinical problem-solving, and collaborative care. This position carries a variety of orthotic work, including splint fabrication, functional casting, and custom neoprene bracing, and offers significant professional autonomy within a supportive, team-oriented setting.

Essential Functions
1. Demonstrates ability to evaluate patients of all ages and diagnoses. Is able to utilize this evaluation to create a treatment plan designed to prevent disability due an injury or illness.
2. Demonstrates the ability to modify and update a treatment plan to help a patient obtain maximal improvement with therapy.
3. Demonstrates the ability to recognize when a patient is ready for discharge and develops an appropriate discharge plan.
4. Demonstrates the ability to complete all documentation accurately, completely, and timely per policy as required by Joint Commission, Medicare, Medicaid, the hospital, and any other industry regulating agency. This includes: evaluations, treatment session notes, progress reports, physician updates, discharge notes/information, Medicare paperwork, recertifications and any other piece of documentation requested by the previous stated agencies.
5. Demonstrates the ability to manage a caseload consistent with industry, hospital, and departmental standards.
6. Demonstrates the desire to maximize his or her ability to treat patients with the most up to date techniques and principles by regularly attending education courses, seminars, and webinars or by attending continuing education courses on a regular basis.
7. Demonstrates ability to attend all mandatory meetings and complete all competencies set by the hospital and department director within associated timeframes. Demonstrates ability to mentor students and complete the necessary paperwork associated with having a student.
8. Demonstrates the ability to complete all aspects of occupational therapy in the following settings when applied and/or assigned: inpatient, outpatient, and school settings. Also responsible for working weekends and holidays as scheduled.
9. Demonstrates the ability to adhere to rehabilitation billing regulations, productivity targets, progress guidelines as well as any other guidelines that govern the standard of care. Also understands responsibility to market themselves and our services to any potential patients and referral sources through formal and informal methods.

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Primary Responsibilities in addition to the Essential Functions

• The staff occupational therapist is a position responsible for evaluating and treating patients in an effort to restore function after an injury, illness, or developmental delay.  This position is also responsible for documenting this treatment in order to ensure proper payment of such services. 
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate patients of all ages and diagnoses.  Is able to utilize this evaluation to create a treatment plan designed to prevent disability due to an injury or illness.
• Demonstrates the ability to complete all aspects of occupational therapy in the following settings when applied and/or assigned: inpatient, and outpatient settings. Also responsible for working weekends and holidays as scheduled.

• Provide comprehensive occupational therapy and hand therapy services in a 1-1 patient environment, including evaluation, treatment, and discharge planning
• Fabricate a  variety of orthotics, including static, dynamic, and serial static splints, functional casts, and custom neoprene bracing
• Collaborate directly with orthopedic and hand surgeons in a shared clinical environment, participating in case planning and treatment decisions
• Participate in monthly interdisciplinary orthopedic hand team meetings with nursing, surgical, therapy, and administrative leadership
• Contribute to program development and clinical innovation within the hand therapy program
• Provide cross-specialty consultation for hand and orthotic needs with the neuro gym and pediatric clinic teams
• Serve as a resource and mentor to rural clinical partners across the region as appropriate

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy program (MOT, OTD, or equivalent)
• Current or eligible licensure as an Occupational Therapist in the state of Nebraska, BLS certification required, drivers license required. 
• Commitment to hand therapy as a clinical specialty

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential, or active pursuit of CHT eligibility
• Experience or demonstrated interest in orthotic fabrication
• Experience in an orthopedic or surgical collaboration setting
• Interest in program development, mentorship, or regional outreach

What We Offer

• A purpose-built hand therapy clinical environment designed to support advanced orthotic and therapeutic work
• Ability to work 1-1 with your patients
• Direct, collaborative relationships with orthopedic and hand surgeons as a valued member of the treatment team
• A structured mentorship program for therapists building or refining orthotic fabrication skills
• Support for CHT certification pursuit, including clinical hours and professional development
• Clinical autonomy and encouragement to contribute to program growth and direction
• An interdisciplinary team environment that values the OT perspective as central to patient outcomes
• Opportunity to serve as a regional resource, extending clinical impact across rural Nebraska

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online at https://gphealth.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/GPH/job/North-Platte-NE/Occupational-Therapist_JR844  and to view the full job description.

Great Plains Health is an equal opportunity employer.

Great Plains Sports and Therapy — North Platte, Nebraska