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I got this question: what’s my advice in helping you as an occupational therapist get into hand therapy without a clinical rotation in hand therapy? Hey there, it’s Hoang Tran. I’m an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist, and my job here is to help OTs develop their clinical skills or business skills so they can have more choices in their career.
No Clinical Rotation? It’s Still Possible!
So I get this question a lot. If you want to get into hands but you don’t have a clinical rotation in hand therapy, it’s okay. It’s still possible for you to get into hand therapy. Now, if it’s been a long time and you want to get back into hand therapy or want to get into hand therapy for the first time, even without a clinical rotation, it is still possible.
Believe it or not, there are billions of people on this earth and there’s a very small fraction of occupational therapists and even a smaller smidgen of certified hand therapists. If you want to get into hand therapy, and then that will eventually lead you to become a certified hand therapist if that’s what you want, just know it’s possible.
Make Yourself Desirable
Here’s the number one thing you can do to help yourself. You only want to focus on, “How do I make myself desirable?” How do I make myself so desired by this other company to hire me, even if I don’t have a ton of hand therapy skills? You have to make yourself desirable to a company to be hired.
Now, I have helped through the mentorship program OTs who have worked in Pediatrics, OTs who have worked in skilled nursing, and OTs who have worked in home health or acute. Whatever setting it is, I have helped them get into hand therapy, no matter the years or clinical rotation.
What Companies Are Looking For
The one thing that I always tell them—and they do this—is to make them desirable to be hired. And how do you do that? How do you make yourself desirable to someone so they will hire you?
Well, if you think about it, let’s break this down. You want them to pay you a salary? Now, what do they get in return for giving you money every two weeks? You have to do something, and showing up with a degree doesn’t really cut it anymore? You actually have to come in and say, “I will treat *X* patient for you”.
Evaluate, Treat, Discharge – You’ve Got This!
If you have graduated from OT school, you are technically saying, “I know how to evaluate, I know how to treat, and I know how to discharge.” Document all that stuff. Those are like the three main things that OTs do.
So you have to come in there and say, “I know how to evaluate.” You have to take baby steps sometimes, going from whatever position or whatever skilled nursing position, and you have to use what you already know and have done to then apply it to what hand therapy requires.
Start Small, Learn, and Grow
When it comes to assessment, you already know how to evaluate. Now, it’s just a matter of learning the specific types of evaluations required for different scenarios. As for treatment, you already understand how to break down a problem and think, “Okay, if this is the symptom and we’re moving from symptom to solution, what steps do I need to take in between?” That’s what you need to learn.
You’ll need to take some courses. If you’re unfamiliar with conditions like carpal tunnel, the radius, or tennis elbow—these are just basic examples—how can you confidently say, “I know how to help those people”? You have to continue learning and developing new skills.
Focus on the Basics First
Your foundational skills in evaluations and generic treatments are solid. You know how to handle discharges, documentation, and billing—these are all valuable skills. However, when it comes to hand therapy, you need to focus on getting technical. Don’t jump straight to flexor tendons, splinting, or wound care.
Start with the basics. Learn general orthopedics and manual therapy skills first, and then build on those with wound care, splinting, and more specialized techniques.
Choosing the Right Job
When looking for a job, think carefully about what positions are available. If you’re coming from pediatrics and applying to a fast-paced surgeon’s office, it could be overwhelming. Surgeons handle a lot of surgeries, and that means you’ll be providing therapy to many post-surgical patients. Without experience, this could feel very intimidating.
Taking the Right Steps
I usually recommend that people take a class, enroll in a course, or join a mentorship program. I offer many resources through my programs, like the courses I provide. If you’re just starting out and feel far removed from hand therapy, start with the basics—build your foundations.
Sometimes, people aspire to become certified hand therapists but forget the necessary steps. If your ladder is too tall, it’s almost impossible to jump from one point to the next. But if becoming a certified hand therapist is your goal, and you break it down into manageable steps, you can take it one step at a time. This approach makes it easier and more achievable.
Final Advice: Build Yourself Up
If you have no hand therapy experience, get the foundations of hand therapy. Take small steps versus trying to hurdle your way into becoming a CHT. Build those steps, take courses, and make yourself more desirable to companies.
I’m always open to answering your questions. You can email me at info@handtherapysecrets.com, and I’ll help you decide which program could be best for you based on where you are in your journey.
Watch the full YouTube video:
Unlock Your Future with Hand Therapy Secrets
If you’re serious about pursuing a career in hand therapy, Hand Therapy Secrets is here to guide you every step of the way.
We offer valuable resources on hand therapy certification.
You can learn about the hand therapy certification requirements to ensure you’re well-prepared for your journey.
As your occupational therapy mentor, I provide personalized support and insights to help you succeed. Plus, our online occupational therapy courses make it easy for you to learn at your own pace.
Don’t wait any longer—start your path to becoming a certified hand therapist today!
