Navy Officer Subspecialty · Medical
1873 Physical Therapy
An officer subspecialty earned alongside a primary designator, marking advanced education or experience in this field.
Overview
Physical therapists assess movement and physical limitations and treat patients to restore mobility, strength, and function. They 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
Civilian Software & Tools
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- Advantage Software Physical Therapy Advantage
- Biometrics video game software
Civilian Career Paths
- Rehabilitation
- Clinical Technician
- Project Management
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Licensed Physical Therapist
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Career Growth
- Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
- Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy
- Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
- APTA CCIP Level 1 credential
What the Work Involves
- Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
- Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
- Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
- Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
- Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
Related Occupations
- Physical Therapist Assistants
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapist Aides
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: graduate-level education or extensive experience.
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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