Navy
MEDICAL
Subspecialty
Officer Subspecialty
1873
Physical Therapy
An officer subspecialty earned alongside a primary designator, marking advanced education or experience in this field.
Description
Physical therapists assess movement and physical limitations and provide treatment to restore mobility, strength, and function. They commonly use exercise, manual techniques, rehabilitation programs, and patient education.
Core Skills
- musculoskeletal assessment
- therapeutic exercise
- manual therapy
- injury rehabilitation
- gait and balance training
- pain management
- patient education
- clinical documentation
- return to activity planning
Common Certifications
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Licensed Physical Therapist
- Orthopedic Certified Specialist
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
- Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy
- Basic Life Support
Civilian Career Paths
- REHABILITATION
- CLINICAL TECHNICIAN
- EMERGENCY MEDICINE
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Licensed Physical Therapist
- Basic Life Support
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Career Growth
- Orthopedic Certified Specialist
- Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy
- Certified Hand Therapist
- Certified Clinical Instructor
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Data sourced from official Navy publications and public military occupational references. Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.