Hand and Upper Extremity Occupational Therapy Fellowship Program

Develop advanced-practice occupational therapists who demonstrate exceptional clinical reasoning, technical proficiency, and evidence-based expertise in the evaluation and treatment of upper extremity conditions, meeting AOTA Fellowship Program Requirements. 

• 1:1 mentorship with certified specialist occupational therapy practitioners
• Opportunity to gain experience in academia via affiliation with the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Occupational Therapy
• Interprofessional collaboration and education of managing hand and upper extremity conditions
• Gain knowledge and required practice hours necessary for Certified Hand Therapy Examination
• Receive monetary stipend and VA benefits for duration of program
• Participation in national conferences for intraprofessional networking and professional development 
   

• Advance Clinical Reasoning and Differential Assessment
• Mastery of Advanced Intervention Techniques
• Competency in Custom Orthosis Fabrication and Management
• Interprofessional Collaboration and Case Management
• Professional Scholarship and Clinical Leadership
• Contribute to organizational excellence within VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System  
   

• US Citizen
• Graduate of an occupational therapy educational program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or World Federation of Occupational Therapists WFOT
• Licensed, or be eligible for licensure, which may be obtained from any state
• Successful completion of NBCOT Board examination prior to the first day of the program
• Evidence of hand therapy interest and pursuit of additional training/experiences in this specialty
• Two letters of professional recommendation

Applications will open in early Spring 2027 with an anticipated start date of Fall 2027.