WHAT IS A CHT?
The term “CHT” standard for Certified Hand Therapist. This credential is mis-leading as we are often called “hand therapists” but the certification includes all injuries, diseases, and accidents of the entire upper extremity, from the cervical spine to the fingertips.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A CHT?
The requirements to become a CHT include a license and national board exam passage in either occupational or physical therapy services, 3 years of training and working in orthopedics of the upper extremity, and passing a board examination from cervical spine to fingertip.
CHTs become credentialed by a governing board called the Hand Therapy Certification Commission and have a database of names that can be found at the website below. You can find a CHT near you based on zipcode!
Click the link below to find a CHT near you!
WHY CHOOSE A CHT OVER A GENERAL PT?
Did you know the exam has a 40-50% first time passage rate and a 55-65% overall pass rate? This test is NO JOKE. The exam, the preparation and the credential is highly coveted by hand surgeons across the nation for good reason.
A CHT is a specialist. Compare it to this, when you have a general need, pain, problem, you probably go to see your primary care physician, right? This would be similar to seeing a general PT or OT for aches and pains. Now, when you need your heart looked at, you see a cardiologist. When you break your arm, you see an orthopedic specialist. When you have an eye problem, you see an ophthalmologist. This is the same as seeing a CHT, rather than a general therapist. When we specialize in things, we get REALLY GOOD at treating all ailments related to our specialty.
WHY CHOOSE DESERT HAND THERAPY?
At Desert Hand and Physical Therapy, you will ALWAYS be evaluated by a CHT or a therapist in our mentorship program being supervised by a CHT for an upper extremity condition. We believe in quality of care and in specialized care for all of your upper extremity pains. We NEVER compromise quality of care and ensure our clinicians with the CHT designation are over-seeing all of your care.
We are ready and exited to help you at Desert Hand and Physical Therapy with all types of pain and impairments in the hand. If you are interested in receiving hand therapy services, please give us a call at 855-828-6361 or visit the Desert Hand Therapy website for a new patient inquiry request!
Brittany Moya MS, OTR/L, CHT
See Brittany’s bio by clicking the photo above.
