Clinical Care Providers
U.S. Navy LT Marcella Oden, a physical therapist aboard the U.S. Navy Hospital ship USNS Mercy, makes a leg brace for a local Indonesian resident. Mercy was anchored off the coast of Nias, Indonesia, providing humanitarian and civic assistance as part of a five-month humanitarian deployment.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Key Details:
Pay:
When a servicemember's performance is hindered by injury or impairment, the success of the mission is at stake. The physical therapist's role in the Navy is crucial. With the appropriate expertise, young Sailors and Marines can overcome injury and continue to pursue fulfilling careers.
Job Description
Practice comprehensive orthopedics for Sailors and Marines in a wide variety of settings. Naval hospitals and clinics in the U.S. and overseas. On aircraft carriers. And with Navy and Marine Corps Special Operations Units.
Focus on preventing injuries as well as helping the nation's uniformed men and women and their families recover and recuperate. Partner with first-rate health-care providers like physicians and occupational therapists. Use your direct access skills and practice as a critical part of a multidisciplinary team.
Navy physical therapists have unique opportunities to:
- Specialize in orthopedics, sports, electromyography and manual therapy
- Earn specialty certification and additional pay
- Take on clinical and management positions throughout the world
- On a limited basis, pursue advanced degrees in physical therapy or related fields
EDUCATIONAL/FINANCIAL BENEFITS
Wherever you are in your professional career, the Navy can help ease your financial burdens and advance your career with generous scholarships, financial assistance and continuing education programs.
PRACTICING PROFESSIONALS
GET HELP REPAYING EDUCATIONAL LOANS
There's an alternative to spending years paying down the cost of your graduate education. If you’re currently a practicing professional:
Navy Health Professions Loan Repayment Program — Receive up to $76,600 to help repay your graduate school loans by applying to receive $38,300 each year for up to two years.
To be eligible, you must serve as an Active Duty Medical Service Corps Officer for each year you receive the loan payment. A minimum three-year service obligation is required.
Offers have many variables. To learn details, request that a Navy Officer Recruiter contact you.
Other Benefits
A career here offers comprehensive benefits, including a competitive salary, full medical and dental coverage, a generous retirement income and much more. Explore comprehensive benefits for the Navy Medical Service Corps.
Qualifications
Besides requirements for Active Duty employment consideration in the Navy Medical Service Corps, there are additional requirements for Navy Physical Therapy that apply.
Specific Requirements
- A degree in physical therapy (entry-level) from an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)-accredited institution
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
Preferred Requirements
- Master's of science or doctoral degree in physical therapy (entry-level or advanced)
- Previous experience as a physical therapist (constructive credit for work experience now offered to physical therapists)
- Letter of recommendation from a physical therapist currently serving in the military
- Professional and personal recommendations (letter of reference from professor[s] for new graduates and letter of reference from supervisors in physical therapy for workforce applicants)
- Current licensure required for workforce applicants (newly graduated therapists have one year to become licensed)
- Personal interview with an Active Duty Physical Therapist
Career Outlook
Want to explore further? Check out the Health Care Opportunities area to learn more about the overall mission of Navy Health Care. Or get a specific picture of the unrivaled experiences and real people representing today's Navy Medical Service Corps.
Questions? Get more information now. Provide brief information so that a Navy Medical Recruiter can contact you. Answer your questions. And help make the application process as seamless as possible if you choose to move forward.