Outpatient Hand Therapy Occupational Therapy Level II Fieldwork Objectives:
Student is to become familiar with measuring basic range of motion for the upper extremity,
measuring grip with dynamometer, measuring pinch with pinch gauge, completing manual
muscle testing for the upper extremity, completing sensory assessment for 2 point
discrimination and use of Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. The student is expected to have a
basic understanding of general anatomy & upper extremity anatomy, measuring range of
motion, manual muscle testing, and completing sensory assessment. The student is encouraged
to prepare for this fieldwork experience by reading up on specific elbow/forearm/wrist/hand
anatomy & kinesiology and also on certain diagnoses pertinent to outpatient hand therapy (as
fractures, tendon repairs, nerve injuries, wound care, arthritis, tendinopathy).
WEEK 1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Orientation Week
Complete the Orientation Checklist
Become familiar with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center computerized documentation
system (StarPanel) and rehabilitation computerized documentation system (MediLinks)
Observe your Clinical Instructor (CI). May observe other OT CHTs, orthopaedic PTs, ATCs.
Become familiar with OT hand therapy supplies kept and used in clinic.
WEEKS 1-6 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
*Learn about basic splints and splint materials used in outpatient hand therapy
*Become familiar with and/or complete all types of OT Hand Ortho Documentation: OT General
Ortho Evaluation, OT General Ortho Daily Note, OT General Ortho Progress Note, OT 1x Splint
Evaluation, OT General Ortho 1x Only Evaluation *Complete basic evaluation measurement
techniques used in outpatient hand therapy as range of motion, manual muscle test, grip, pinch,
sensory
*Complete daily treatments and progress re-assessments for outpatient hand therapy patients
*Become familiar with basic diagnoses of outpatient OT hand therapy patients
*Become familiar with common physical agent modalities used in outpatient hand therapy
*Become familiar with and complete common treatment techniques used in outpatient hand
therapy including exercise, scar massage, activities, stretches, and precautions for tendon
repair, nerve repair, fractures
*Become familiar with basic splints used in outpatient OT hand therapy and assist with the
fabrication of splints
*Observe in Orthopaedic Hand Physician Clinics
*Observe in outpatient orthopaedic physical therapy for neck, shoulder, upper extremity
therapy
Outpatient Hand Therapy Occupational Therapy Level II Fieldwork Expectations:
WEEKS 7-12
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
*Complete all types of computer documentation for outpatient OT hand therapy: OT General
Ortho Evaluation, OT 1x Splint Evaluation, OT General Ortho 1x Only Evaluation, OT General
Ortho Daily note, OT General Ortho Progress note, OT General Ortho Discharge Summary
*Learn basic post-operative guidelines for outpatient OT hand therapy diagnoses: tendon repair,
fractures, nerve repair, crush injury
*Learn basic conservative management guidelines for outpatient OT hand therapy diagnoses:
tendinopathy, fractures, arthritis
* Learn basic splints used in outpatient OT hand therapy and fabricate wrist cock-up splint, safe
position hand splint, static elbow splint, thumb splint, finger splint -- may fabricate other splints
* Complete common physical agent modalities
*Observe in outpatient orthopaedic physical therapy as desired for neck, shoulder, upper
extremity therapy techniques
*Observe in other areas of OT at Vanderbilt as desired and possible: as Burn Unit, Pediatrics,
Acute Care, Stallworth Rehab, Pi Beta Phi, Home Health
*Observe surgery completed by Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon
*Give inservice to oupatient OT and PT staff during last week of internship on subject of
student's choic of clinical interest in hand therapy or topic applicable to outpatient orthopaedic
therapy staff