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42NX Career Guide

Air Force

42NX: Physical Therapist

Career transition guide for Air Force Physical Therapist (42NX)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 42NX veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Physical Therapist

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

State licensure as a Physical Therapist

Occupational Therapist

$90K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

State licensure as an Occupational Therapist

Physician Assistant

$125K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE)Accredited Physician Assistant program completionClinical experience in chosen specialty

Healthcare Administrator

$85K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Master's degree in Healthcare Administration (MHA)Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationHealthcare-specific data analysis

Ergonomist

$80K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) certificationSpecialized knowledge in workplace safety and designHuman factors training

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 42NX training built — and where they transfer.

Pattern Recognition

As a healthcare provider, you constantly analyze patient symptoms, medical histories, and test results to identify underlying health conditions and potential risks.

This ability to discern subtle patterns in complex information translates directly to identifying trends, anomalies, and opportunities in various civilian fields.

Rapid Prioritization

In a clinical setting, you quickly assess the urgency of patient needs, manage multiple cases simultaneously, and allocate resources effectively to ensure timely and appropriate care.

Your experience in prioritizing tasks under pressure is invaluable in dynamic environments requiring quick decision-making and resource management.

System Modeling

You develop a mental model of the human body and how different treatments will affect a patient. You must understand the interaction between various systems to predict outcomes and make decisions.

This expertise allows you to understand complex systems and how to interact with them. It makes you adept at anticipating cascading effects and optimizing overall system performance.

After-Action Analysis

You regularly review patient outcomes, treatment plans, and research findings to identify areas for improvement and refine your clinical practices.

Your commitment to continuous learning and improvement is a valuable asset in any field that requires adaptability and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Healthcare Consultant

SOC 13-1111

You've been deeply involved in patient care and research, giving you a unique perspective on healthcare operations. You can leverage this experience to advise healthcare organizations on improving efficiency, patient outcomes, and regulatory compliance.

Clinical Research Coordinator

SOC 13-1041

Your background in conducting clinical research and analyzing data makes you well-suited for coordinating clinical trials, managing research protocols, and ensuring data integrity.

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

SOC 41-3031

You have a deep understanding of medical terminology, treatment protocols, and patient needs, which makes you effective in communicating the benefits of pharmaceutical products to healthcare professionals.

Health and Wellness Coach

SOC 21-1099

You've spent your career improving the health of your patients. You can use that empathy and experience to help individuals make positive lifestyle changes and achieve their health goals, providing guidance, support, and motivation.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Physical Therapy Education Program, various locations

2,400 training hours104 weeksUp to 30 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Musculoskeletal Examination and Evaluation
  • Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation
  • Neuromuscular Rehabilitation
  • Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
  • Pain Management Techniques
  • Electrotherapy and Modalities
  • Prosthetics and Orthotics
  • Clinical Research Methodology

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Physical Therapist (State Licensure)70% covered

State-specific laws and regulations, advanced orthopedic manual therapy techniques, and potentially specialized areas like pediatric or geriatric physical therapy, depending on the specific scope of practice desired.

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)60% covered

Specific exercise science principles, advanced strength and conditioning program design, and detailed knowledge of various athletic populations.

Recommended Next Certifications

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (OCS)Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
EssentrisElectronic Health Record (EHR) systems like Epic or Cerner
Aerospace Medical Information System (AMIS)Occupational Health Management Software
Composite Health Care System (CHCS)Practice Management Software
Theater Medical Information Program (TMIP)Telemedicine platforms
Air Force Hearing Conservation Program (AFHCP) Audiometric DatabaseHearing Conservation Data Management Systems
Physical Therapy Management System (PTMS)Rehabilitation Management Software

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