Early Career Fellowship in Hand Therapy
About
The AHTA, in collaboration with Hand Faculty, offers a comprehensive and supportive learning program. This program is specifically designed to empower early-career occupational therapists and physiotherapists, providing them with the tools to enhance their skills in hand therapy.
The program supports employers in training early career therapists. It provides a structured program of readings, training videos, weekly tasks, mentoring support, and tutorials and instills a solid foundation in diagnosis and treatment.
The program tutors are renowned Australian therapists, employers and practice owners (refer below).
Why this program?
Karen Fitt, AHT
Jane Aarons, AHT
Lauren Miller, AHT
What is required?
- Participants must be employed and work alongside an experienced hand therapy practitioner in a practice or hospital that offers hand therapy.
- Employers must be able to support their therapist to undertake weekly work (lecture or reading) and a quiz/work, a weekly tutorial (30m), a fortnightly clinical reasoning session with a senior tutor (1 hour), and a 3-day face-to-face induction (Melbourne). The induction can be held in another state with an interstate cohort by negotiation.
Features
- Comprehensive on-the-job training
- Quality content, developed by Accredited Hand Therapist and practice owner Karen Fitt, over a ten-year period with continued monitoring and improvement based on the needs of Karen's employees and practices.
- An induction program
- A hand therapy mentor
- An expert team of senior tutors, all Accredited Hand Therapists (as awarded by the AHTA)
- Associate membership with the AHTA.
What does the program cost?
The program fees are $10,400 and may be tax deductible.
Fees are paid by either the employer or the participant. Employers and participants may choose to split the fees.
Payment options include upfront or monthly instalments.
How do I apply?
The program currently offers an intake of 4-8 participants per intake.
There are four annual intakes in January, April, July and October.
To register an employee or find a registered therapist, click 'submit an enquiry' below.
Is the program recognised by the AHTA?
The AHTA has partnered with the Hand Faculty to deliver the Early Career Fellowship in Hand Therapy, an introductory program for early career therapists.
The program is not directly associated with the Accredited Hand Therapist (AHT) credential or its Requirements.
Format
52-week program
Mentorship
Readings
Training videos
Case studies
Quizzes
Skills sessions
Professional practice elements
Communications skills
Support for mentors.
Skills
Massage
Mobilisation
Splinting (leather, plaster, static, neoprene)
Casting
Fundamental wound care
Imaging and
Exercise prescription.
Knowledge
Access to 6 modules of learning material:
Anatomy & assessment
Common conditions
Surgical
Specialist areas
Skills
Professional practice.
