Student Center

ASHT is committed to the future leaders of hand and upper extremity therapy, and is proud to offer the Student Center — a page designed to educate and assist students beginning their studies and career in the hand and upper extremity therapy field. The resources below include a guide on how to start a student hand therapy club, a learning workbook and many useful links to relevant courses, literature and reference material that will benefit the student learner. 

How To Start A Student Hand Therapy Club

Peer support, mentoring relationships and professional networking are important steps in becoming a hand therapist. By establishing a student hand therapy club at your university, you will be able to begin building relationships, skills and knowledge that will lead you to a successful path toward a career in hand and upper extremity therapy. This manual has all you need to start a student hand therapy club at your university.

How To Start A Student Hand Therapy Club

Student Guided Learning Workbook

This workbook was developed to aid students in learning more about the basic knowledge required for a clinical rotation in the specialty of hand and upper extremity therapy. The content guides the student through topics such as upper extremity anatomy, common conditions and general treatment interventions. This text serves as a starting point for independent study.

Student Guided Learning Workbook

ASHT Student Self-Assessment

  • The purpose of the Student Self-Assessment is to provide the opportunity for occupational and physical therapy students to test their knowledge of the basic concepts required during the clinical education experience within the practice of hand and upper extremity therapy. The student self-assessment has been developed to facilitate learning while supporting both students and clinical educators. Used as a tool prior to beginning a clinical rotation, the student will gain confidence by identifying strengths and areas of opportunity. When shared with clinical educators, the Student Self-Assessment can also be used to communicate expectations while identifying and establishing learning objectives.
  • The Student Self-Assessment contains 50 questions that cover entry-level knowledge within the following four domains; Anatomy and Physiology of Tissue Healing, Evaluation and Assessment, Diagnoses of the Upper Limb, and Therapeutic Interventions and Orthoses.
  • The Student Self-Assessment is the sole property of ASHT and scores are confidential. Individual results will only be shared with the test taker.

Purchase Exam

Student Clinical Rotation Vlog 

Are you a student or clinical educator wanting to gain further insight into what a clinical rotation in hand and upper extremity is like? Check out ASHT's new weekly vlog series, showcasing a student’s account of their 12-week rotation. These are short videos providing an inside look at a weekly summary covering all aspects of the experience. We hope this helps provide an organic insight to clinical rotation experiences in the hand and upper extremity.

Week 12: “Chloe Reflects on Her First Level II Fieldwork Rotation Experience”

It’s a wrap! Chloe looks back on her first Level II experience working in hand and upper extremity therapy and the resources she found most helpful. 

To view the videos, visit the links shown below. And be sure to subscribe to the ASHT channel on YouTube so you don't miss an episode!

Student Series Vlog Episodes

Student e-Community

  • The Student e-Community is an online community where students can connect with one another while sharing and exchanging information. Whether you are interested in learning more about the field of hand and upper extremity therapy, have questions regarding student clinical experiences, expectations and career development and or would like to discuss issues related to a future in the specialized field of hand and upper extremity therapy, this community forum is for you.

Student e-Community

Student-led Journal Club

  • The ASHT Research Division is proud to offer a Journal Club for students! This offering is designed to involve and educate students on appraising the current literature as it relates to the hand and upper extremity. The Student-Led Journal Club is available for FREE to any member or nonmember student, and takes place quarterly.

Student-led Journal Club

Solutions to Pandemic Challenges:  On-Demand Session (June 2022)

  • Are you a student or recent OT or PT graduate who is looking to begin a career in hand therapy or begin a hand and upper extremity rotation? Or are you a clinical instructor preparing to take a student in the coming months?

  • ASHT’s Education Division invites you to join a special on-demand session to discuss factors that have influenced students throughout their education during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and how these factors may affect transitions into clinical practice.

  • A panel will be present during the session to engage in a lively discussion regarding ideas to promote confidence and smooth transitions into clinical rotations and employment after graduation. Students, clinical instructors and members and non-members interested in this topic will benefit from this discussion.

Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/ORwr8ifeUA0TYjYQ_O692tU_Hd3ru1iSSGcqU5J4Xt3PDwzMcZ0VnV1uQ6F0s9F7.pCcgYPUentSVQfJW

Passcode:  c$5074UY

Hand and Upper Extremity Clinical Rotation Preparedness:  On-Demand Session (December 2021)

  • Are you contemplating or scheduled for a hand and upper extremity clinical rotation? ASHT’s Education Division understands how intimidating it can be in the time leading up to a clinical rotation. This on-demand session consists of a lively, interactive discussion with hand and upper extremity professionals to discuss tips and information to help you feel more confident in your upcoming clinical learning experience. Students, clinical instructors and members interested in this topic will benefit form this on-demand session.

Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/nthTSUcvnA0EQg7qLPWJW3cQzM6c_tAEn_IEf9MxGrlHEEZ3dRHIUdjY1wsZMOgZ.LSfd4tLy4NR1d7Wz

Passcode:  Wn9n65h!

Supplemental Notes

Additional Student Learning Resources

ASHT Website Pages To Visit

There are several sections of the ASHT website with pertinent information about programs, books, courses and webinars helpfut to the student learner.