Officer Subspecialty
REHAB
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
An officer subspecialty earned alongside a primary designator, marking advanced education or experience in this field.
Description
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatrists, treat a wide variety of medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons, and limb loss. PM&R physicians evaluate and treat injuries, illnesses, and disability, and are experts in designing comprehensive, patient-centered treatment plans. Physiatrists utilize cutting-edge and time-tested treatments to maximize function and quality of life.
Core Skills
- physical medicine diagnosis
- musculoskeletal evaluation
- neurologic assessment
- rehabilitation plan design
- pain management
- disability management
- prosthetic rehabilitation
- interdisciplinary care
- functional outcome assessment
Common Certifications
- American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Certification
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- American Board of Pain Medicine Certification
- Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)
- Certified in Healthcare Quality (CHC)
Civilian Career Paths
- REHABILITATION
- CLINICAL TECHNICIAN
- BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Career Growth
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency
- American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Certification
- Pain Medicine Fellowship
- American Board of Pain Medicine Certification
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.