On this episode, we are joined by Marty Walsh, Keri Landrieu and Karol Young to discuss the HTCC Practice Analysis. The examination to become a Certified Hand Therapist isn’t put together overnight. There is a lot of work that goes into developing the examination questions, ensuring they are testing knowledge and application of practice standards in hand therapy.  Marty, Keri and Karol share with us how HTCC develops the exam blueprint from feedback received from hand therapists, how questions are developed and evaluated for their rigor, accuracy and consistency, and how the examination is maintained year after year.  

Guest Bios:

Martin Walsh, OTR/L, CHT has been the Executive Director of the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC) since 2013. He joined the HTCC staff in 2004 as the Manager of Examination Services. He has been involved with HTCC as a volunteer since 1998, serving several terms as an item writer and then as an item writer mentor. Marty was appointed to the Examination Committee in 2002 and has been actively involved in all aspects of examination development. A Certified Hand Therapist since 1992, Marty received most of his training and experience in hand therapy at a regional trauma center in San Francisco working with patients with complex injuries to the hand. Marty has also volunteered his time working with patients and teaching therapists in South America. He has traveled to Colombia, Bolivia and Peru and has been active with the organization Resurge. In 2010 Marty received the Paul Brand Award of Professional Excellence from the American Society of Hand Therapists. 

Keri Landrieu, LOTR, CHT became an occupational therapist in 1989, leading her to a hand therapy fellowship and her Certified Hand Therapist certification in 1994.  Her experience in hand therapy includes working with her mentor surgeon in his practice and 15 years as a partner in a private hand therapy practice. Her dedication to the field extends to the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC), spanning nearly three decades, starting as an item writer in 1996, leading to a board membership six years later, and various leadership roles. For the past 14 years, Keri has directed HTCC’s exam operations, managing the item bank and exam processes. This year, she is honored to serve as HTCC's President.

Karol S. Young, OTD, OTR/L, CHT has been an occupational therapist since 1990 and a Certified Hand Therapist since 1997. After working in a variety of outpatient settings, her passion for lifelong learning led her to the OT program at Thomas Jefferson University where she completed her doctoral degree in 2015. Karol has authored publications for the Hand Therapy Certification Committee and the American Society of Hand Therapists, contributed to several textbooks, and is an adjunct instructor and guest lecturer in several graduate level occupational therapy programs. Karol is an active member of the American Society of Hand Therapists and is a board member for the Hand Therapy Certification Commission, serving as the Chair of the Practice Analysis Committee. Karol currently is in private practice outside of Asheville, NC.

The views and opinions expressed in the Hands in Motion podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ASHT. Appearance on the podcast does not imply endorsement of any products, services or viewpoints discussed"