The Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential offers assurance to the public that the therapist has achieved the highest level of competency in the profession and stays up to date with practice within the field.
The intricate anatomy of the arm and hand frequently requires very delicate surgery, often with microscopic techniques. The technical complexity of these kinds of surgeries necessitates a high level of competence by therapists with advanced skills in upper quarter rehabilitation during postoperative recovery. Therapists must be knowledgeable about these advanced surgical techniques and postoperative therapy programs to become CHTs. They must also remain current with changes in hand therapy practice.
The CHT credential is recognized by many professional organizations as a benchmark for excellence in advanced specialty credentialing in health care.
Certification is voluntary and difficult to attain. It involves meeting rigorous standards, developing a long-range career path, and acquiring the advanced study and training required to pass the certification examination. CHTs are therapists who demonstrated a personal dedication to the profession of hand therapy and a desire for advanced competency; they bring to their work a commitment and dedication to reach and maintain the highest standards in their profession. The CHT credential is recognized by many professional organizations as a benchmark for excellence in advanced specialty credentialing in health care. A CHT is an occupational or physiotherapist who has had a minimum of five years clinical experience and a minimum of 4,000 hours in direct hand therapy practice. A Certified Hand Therapist has also successfully passed a comprehensive international exam which tests in upper quarter rehabilitation, and is required to recertify every five years in order to continue to use the title “Certified Hand Therapist”.
