About Hand Faculty
Specialised training for early career therapists
Hand Faculty is Australia’s preeminent hand therapy training program. Designed and taught by leading hand therapy professionals, Hand Faculty provides a comprehensive and supportive learning program for early career Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists who want to develop their skills in the specialised and in-demand field of hand therapy.
Our History
Hand Faculty brings together a series of hand therapy training courses that have been successfully run by accredited hand therapist Karen Fitt for over a decade.
In 2012, Karen and her team launched their first weekend-based wrist course for occupational therapists and physiotherapists working in private practice. It taught participants how to accurately assess, diagnose and treat a range of wrist conditions.
Based on the success and popularity of this course, Karen and her team added further learning modules to teach gold-standard care for commonly presenting conditions of the wrist and elbow. Over the years, these modules expanded to cover a range of surgical conditions and specialist areas connected to the field of hand therapy.
Today, Hand Faculty is a stand-alone entity designed to train a new generation of hand therapists.
Our Team
Karen Fitt
Director
Karen is a qualified physiotherapist and Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the AHTA) with over 35 years of private practice experience.
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Karen is experienced in developing and running hand therapy training programs. She also has a strong understanding of the rising need within the community for suitably qualified hand therapists.
Karen is the past president of the Australian Hand Therapy Association and has run the Wrist Course for the Australian Physiotherapy Association for the past ten years. Karen also works as a casual lecturer in Hand Therapy at the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University.
Lauren Miller
Senior Tutor
Lauren is a physiotherapist, Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the AHTA) and Certified Hand Therapist (HTCC - USA) who completed her research PhD on hand fractures.
Lauren is the Director of Evergreen Hand Therapy on the Gold Coast, a sessional teaching fellow within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Bond University and a volunteer member of the AHTA Research Committee.
She has worked as a Hand Therapist for over 20 years in both public and private settings and is passionate about sharing knowledge and lifelong learning.
Jane Aarons
Senior Tutor
Jane is an occupational therapist and Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the AHTA) with over 35 yrs of private practice and public hospital experience.
Jane is the Director of Peninsula Hand Therapy on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria and a volunteer member of the AHTA Advocacy Committee.
Jane sees a need to support the growing speciality of Hand therapy with excellence in training for early career Hand Therapists and loves to share her clinical experience towards this.
Jessica Cauchi
Tutor
Jessica is an accomplished Occupational Therapist, Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the AHTA) with a wealth of experience spanning over 8 years across both public and private settings.
As the Clinic Director of the Melbourne Hand Rehab Caroline Springs site, she leads with expertise and dedication, ensuring top-notch care for her patients.
Jessica’s commitment to Hand Therapy extends beyond patient care; she is deeply passionate about nurturing the growth and development of early career Hand Therapists. Jess’s enthusiasm for sharing knowledge and honing skills makes her an invaluable tutor in the field.
Paris Wells
Program Coordinator
Paris is your first point of contact with Hand Faculty. She is always happy to respond to your enquiries and can guide you through the Early Career Fellowship in Hand Therapy program.
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