Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland.

Work Shift:

8 Hours - Day Shifts (United States of America)

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Compensation:

Salary Range: $35.00 - $52.00

Union Position:

No

Department Details

Sanford Health is seeking a skilled and motivated Physical Therapist (PT) to join our growing Hand and Upper Extremity Rehab Program. This position focuses on evaluating and treating patients with conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder, including post-surgical, traumatic, orthopedic, neurologic, sports-related, and work-related injuries.

A unique aspect of this role is close collaboration with hand and upper extremity surgeons, creating an integrated care model focused on exceptional patient outcomes. The therapist will participate in treatment planning, post-operative rehabilitation, patient education, and program development within a multidisciplinary orthopedic team.

Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) certification is strongly preferred; candidates actively pursuing CHT certification are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities
- Evaluate patients and develop individualized treatment plans to restore function and optimize outcomes.
- Provide specialized upper extremity care, including therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, scar/edema management, tendon and nerve rehabilitation, post-operative care, and custom orthosis fabrication.
- Collaborate with surgeons, orthopedic providers, APPs, and rehabilitation professionals to provide coordinated, evidence-based care.
- Monitor progress, adjust treatment plans, and educate patients and families on recovery, home programs, and injury prevention.
- Maintain accurate documentation and apply evidence-based practices to clinical care.
- Support program development, quality improvement, outreach, continuing education, and serve as a clinical resource.
- Supervise therapy assistants, aides, and students and collaborate with other care partners as appropriate.

Typical Patient Population
- Tendon repairs and transfers
- Hand, wrist, and elbow fractures
- Peripheral nerve injuries
- Carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes
- Trigger finger and tendon disorders
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis
- Arthritis and joint replacement/reconstruction
- Shoulder conditions
- Sports-related injuries
- Work-related injuries
- Complex trauma and post-surgical rehabilitation

Preferred Qualifications
- Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential.
- Two or more years of experience in hand therapy, upper extremity rehabilitation, or outpatient orthopedics.
- Experience with custom orthosis fabrication and post-operative rehabilitation protocols.
- Strong understanding of upper extremity biomechanics and evidence-based rehabilitation practices.

Why Join Our Team?
- Collaborative Specialty Care Model: Work alongside hand and upper extremity surgeons, APPs, and rehabilitation professionals in an integrated, team-based environment focused on exceptional patient outcomes.

- Strong Provider and Therapist Engagement: Collaborate with physicians, APPs, and therapists through shared treatment planning, clinical discussions, and coordinated care.

- Dedicated to Clinical Excellence: Deliver high-quality care through evidence-based practice, incorporating current research into clinical decision-making and treatment planning.

- Commitment to Professional Growth: Access internal education, specialty training, mentorship, and a continuing medical education (CME) budget to advance your expertise.

- Specialty Program Development: Help grow and advance a thriving hand and upper extremity rehabilitation program while shaping best practices and clinical pathways.

- Diverse and Complex Caseload: Treat post-surgical cases, tendon and nerve injuries, fractures, sports and work-related injuries, and complex orthopedic conditions.

- Patient-Centered Culture: Build meaningful patient relationships while providing individualized care focused on recovery, function, education, and long-term success.

- Learning-Focused Environment: Join a team that values knowledge sharing, clinical mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Summary

Plans, organizes and delivers physical therapy programs that help clients/patients/residents recover and improve their mobility, relieve pain, increase strength and prevent deformities. Conducts examinations, evaluations, and interventions clients/patients/residents who are affected by injury or disease.

Job Description

Utilizes tools and techniques to administer physical therapy interventions following safeguards. Documents client's/patient's/resident's information for evaluation; establishes therapeutic plans and modifies them if necessary. Educates clients/patients/residents and their family members about treatment plans/schedules and self-exercises to be continued at home. Knowledge of and utilizes appropriate age-related treatments and evaluations relating to the needs of clients/patients/residents. Demonstrate and incorporate knowledge of current research into daily treatment of clients/patients/residents.

May treat individuals of all ages with varying diagnosis and disorders. Will demonstrate documentation in accordance with departmental guidelines and meet all regulatory requirements. Demonstrates level of treatment associated with their specialty provided to their clients/patients/residents. Follows and adheres to accepted clinical practice guidelines of professional organization.

Exhibits flexibility with acceptance of variable work schedules/assignments. Participates in activities to promote the department, Good Samaritan Society and Sanford Health. Will be interacting with individuals outside of the department including but not limited to: providers, case managers, third party payers, public organizations, companies/contractual partners, etc. May be asked to supervise assistants, aides, and students as they provide client/patient/resident care, treatment, or other services. Will be expected to provide ongoing education and training to peers in the area(s) of expertise as determined by the department leadership. Performs other related duties as requested by manager.

Based on facility needs and assigned locations, may focus on those receiving intervention in the post-acute, long term care and home health care environments.

Qualifications

Appropriate education level required in accordance with state licensure.



Must be licensed in the state(s) of practice as a Physical Therapist. When applicable, may require valid driver's license. Obtains and subsequently maintains required department specific competencies and certifications. Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care providers required or within the first 60 days of employment.

Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. 

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-949-5678 or send an email to [email protected].