42B2 Career Guide
42B2: Physical Therapist
Career transition guide for Air Force Physical Therapist (42B2)
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Top civilian roles for 42B2 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Physical Therapist
Rehabilitation Director
Skills to develop:
Ergonomist
Skills to develop:
Medical and Health Services Manager
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 42B2 training built — and where they transfer.
Resource Optimization
As a 42B2, you managed physical therapy resources, including personnel, equipment, and supplies, to maximize patient care within budgetary constraints.
This experience translates to an ability to efficiently allocate resources and manage budgets, ensuring optimal outcomes in various professional settings.
System Modeling
You developed and implemented physical therapy programs, considering the interconnectedness of patient needs, treatment plans, and available resources within the larger medical system.
Your ability to understand and manipulate complex systems makes you capable of designing effective strategies and workflows in diverse organizational contexts.
Team Synchronization
You coordinated and collaborated with medical personnel, patients, and supervisors to ensure cohesive and effective physical therapy treatment, fostering a synchronized approach to patient care.
Your collaborative nature and ability to synchronize efforts across different teams enables you to ensure smooth project execution and foster a cooperative work environment.
After-Action Analysis
You evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of physical therapy programs, analyzing outcomes and making adjustments to improve patient care and program delivery.
Your analytical abilities make you well-suited to analyzing data, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing changes to enhance performance in various professional settings.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Ergonomics Consultant
SOC 25-1042.00You've been evaluating patients' physical needs and recommending adjustments to improve their mobility and comfort. As an Ergonomics Consultant, you'll apply that expertise to workplace environments, recommending changes to reduce strain and improve productivity. Your ability to assess physical needs and recommend tailored solutions will be invaluable.
Healthcare Administrator
SOC 11-9111.00You've been managing physical therapy programs and ensuring quality patient care. In Healthcare Administration, you can use your expertise to oversee operations, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with regulations. You have a deep understanding of the healthcare system and are prepared to lead healthcare facilities.
Rehabilitation Equipment Sales Representative
SOC 41-9031.00You've been working with braces, prostheses, and other assistive devices, making recommendations for their use and adjustment. As a sales rep, you can use your expertise to connect patients with the right equipment to improve their lives. You understand the value and necessity of the product, and are therefore an ideal sales representative.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program and Air Force Officer Training School (OTS), Maxwell AFB
Topics Covered
- •Musculoskeletal Evaluation and Treatment
- •Neuromuscular Rehabilitation
- •Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy
- •Therapeutic Exercise Prescription
- •Pain Management Techniques
- •Wound Care Management
- •Physical Therapy Modalities
- •Air Force Officer Leadership and Management
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
Advanced techniques in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation, specific anatomical knowledge, and passing the CHT exam.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems (e.g., MHS GENESIS) | Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner) |
| Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) equipment (e.g., portable ventilators, cardiac monitors) | Emergency Medical Services (EMS) equipment (e.g., transport ventilators, patient monitoring devices) |
| Physical therapy modalities (e.g., ultrasound, electrical stimulation units) | Physical therapy modalities (e.g., therapeutic ultrasound machines, TENS units) |
| Gait analysis systems | Gait analysis systems (e.g., Vicon, OptiTrack) |
| Range of Motion (ROM) measurement tools (e.g., goniometers, inclinometers) | Rehabilitation measurement tools (e.g., digital goniometers, bubble inclinometers) |
| Strength testing equipment (e.g., dynamometers) | Strength testing equipment (e.g., handheld dynamometers, isokinetic testing systems) |
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