Military PTs

[Istoriaphile]

I was wondering if any current or past Physical Therapists in the military could tell me how long officers are allowed to perform their PT duties (as in promoting too high) and if most of their time is spent doing paperwork (i.e...NCOERs, etc) instead of therapy work? Thanks.

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[Brandyyyy]

I have seen PTs practice therapy up to LTC, granted he was in a MAJ's billet waiting to PCS. I haven't talked to him since he has PCS'd, but I know you can practice and run up to MAJ for sure. You will still have your military duties of writing OERs, NCOERs, putting together briefs for the hospitals, etc on top of your normal duties. I have also seen the branch manager come into the clinic a few times a month to keep his certification as a MAJ. I think it all depends on the jobs you choose to fight for, but think the highest you can be is a CPT as the BDE PT in a BCT (I could be mistaken, but that's the highest I've seen).

 

[scrawnyguy]

I've known many Majors (O-4) that still practice even though they are generally in clinic chief spots. I think by the time you get into the LTC (O-5) positions you're in a position where you might be in charge of an entire Rehab branch so you're mostly doing admin stuff at that point. A couple of months back I was talking to an Army PT who is now a full bird Colonel, but he's about to retire. He's in a senior level position now in the Army's Medical Specialist Corps now and hasn't practiced full time in many years. With all of his experience he can go into a senior health admin position and make a killing, but he's probably going to take a pay cut so he can get back to practicing for a few years before he retires for good. He said at one point he floated the idea to some GO's about creating two separate tracks for providers. One track would stay as providers for their career and the other would branch off around the rank of Major to do strictly admin stuff. He said while some found the idea intriguing it never really caught any traction and probably would never do so. Unfortunately picking about more and more of those admin duties as you progress up the chain is just the nature of the beast. It's not just on the healthcare side either. It happens a lot to pilots as they get to Major or so as well. I've heard of folks who gave up their commissions to become warrant officers so they can keep flying on a regular basis rather than riding a desk.

 

[WarriorPT]

Generally speaking O-4 (Major or Lt. Commander depending on branch of service) is where you stop. O-5 opportunities are extremely limited to clinicians. O-5 and above jobs are held for health administrators usually. Clinicians do not typically take these roles. As you ascend in rank you will treat less and assume more management and paperwork. I have an OT friend who retired as an O-5 (Navy Commander). His boss at his last duty station was the OIC (officer in charge). The OIC was moving on to a new duty station and recommended my friend as the new OIC. It was found to be cheaper to elevate an OT to the OIC position instead of bringing a new person in to train for the position. You will rarely see a PT/OT as an O-6. Can't say I know of a PT/OT with a star.

For reference: You will make O-3 in four years of service. Another 3-5 years and you will earn O-4. You will most likely work the rest of your career at O-4 if you stay. Expect to get about 7 years of treatment experience until you move into a full-time management position. If you don't move into a management role you will not be retained and discharged from service.

I should have said that DPTs enter at O3 so you will immediately work toward O4.