Program Description
The UCHealth Occupational Therapy Department in Metro Denver offers a 12-month Occupational Therapy Hand Fellowship program that provides a post-professional experience with a clinical and didactic focus in the specialty of hand therapy.
Occupational therapists work alongside Certified Hand Therapists, hand surgeons and academic partners to complete a structured curriculum involving clinical, didactic and teaching opportunities.
Program Mission
The mission of the UCHealth Occupational Therapy Hand Fellowship program is to elevate the profession and standard of patient care by developing specialized occupational therapists in hand therapy who demonstrate integrity, professionalism and excellence through evidence-based patient management.   ​
Program Goals
- To instill expert knowledge and performance skills to treat upper extremity diagnoses with evidence-based treatment approaches, supporting patients’ participation in meaningful occupations.
- To develop effective communication with diagnoses and treatment planning with hand surgeons to improve patient outcomes.
- To build confidence in new therapists’ knowledge to further develop higher level clinical reasoning skills in compliance with ethical practice standards.
- To improve fellows’ facilitation and delivery of didactic information for academic programming, student teaching and patient education provision to enhance acquisition, reasoning and interpersonal skill sets.
Program Overview
The UCHealth Occupational Therapy Hand Fellowship program includes:
- Delivery over 12 months and 1400 hours of combined clinical, didactic and mentored practice, with 350 hours of direct mentorship.
- Direct clinical mentoring by certified hand therapists for development of hand therapy clinical skills in an outpatient setting. Collaboration with hand surgeons in hand clinic.
- Leadership, professionalism and career development course work.
- Focused hand therapy curriculum.
- 60 hours of teaching experience in the entry level OT program at Creighton University.
- 20 hours of academic mentoring from Creighton University faculty.
- Paid salary with full benefits package as a UCHealth employee.
- Access to Creighton University course websites and library.
Selection Process
All completed applications will be reviewed by a committee and invitations to complete an initial virtual interview will be issued to the top candidates. Applicants will then be selected for an in-person interview.
UCHealth recognizes and appreciates the rich array of talents and perspectives that equal employment and diversity can offer our institution. As an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, UCHealth is committed to making all employment decisions based on valid requirements. No applicant shall be discriminated against in any terms, conditions or privileges of employment or otherwise be discriminated against because of the individual’s race, creed, color, religion, gender, national origin or ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, genetic information or veteran status. UCHealth does not discriminate against any “qualified applicant with a disability” as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable accommodations, when they do not impose an undue hardship on the organization.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range of the UCHealth Occupational Therapy Hand Fellow is indicated within the job posting. Salary offers are dependent on qualifications and previous experience.
UCHealth offers employees a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. Some of the many benefits included in this package are full medical, dental and vision coverage; retirement plans; paid time off; employer-paid life and disability insurance with additional buy-up coverage options; tuition and continuing education reimbursement; and a full suite of voluntary benefits such as identity theft protection and pet insurance. Employees and their family members have full access to the Employee Assistance Program, which includes up to 5 free counseling visits and work/life solutions, such as one free legal consultation. In addition, other emotional counseling support is available depending upon need.
Program Contact Information
Jamie McGaha, [email protected]
Hetal Mehta, [email protected]