Hand Therapy Academic InternAt — Orthopaedic Specialty Institute

Assists therapist in designing and implementing clinic exercise and home exercise programs for patients with a variety of upper extremity orthopedic and soft tissue injuries and conditions

Tasks:

Design UE exercise home program based on patient needs
Design UE exercise clinic program based on patient needs
Instruct patients in correct movements to improve physical status
Re-evaluate strength, ROM, coordination and functional status as they relate to their exercise program
Apply temperature and electrical modalities to patients
Assist in clinic exercise program documentation
Maintain clinic equipment and supplies
Assist in making appointment and other related clerical duties

Training:

1x1 supervised instruction in clinic exercises
Weekly meetings to discuss pertinent topics related to treatment of various diagnoses commonly treated in hand therapy
Hands on training with patients

Learning Outcome:

1. Identify muscle/muscle groups firing during each clinic exercise
2. Common \\cheats\\ patients use to compensation for loss of motion, sensation or strength
3. Improved knowledge base of common UE conditions seen in therapy and their treatment
4. Improved knowledge of role of Occupational Therapy/Hand Therapy in an orthopedic office
5. Working and theoretical knowledge of application, use and function of electrical and temperature modalities
6. Improved comfort in working with a patient population
7. Knowledge in use and fabrication of various orthopedic orthoses