How to Find Civilian Occupational Therapy Jobs in the Military

I have a growing interest in occupational therapy and heard there might be civilian opportunities within the military. What steps should I take to pursue such positions, and what could working in this environment be like?

Pursuing civilian occupational therapy jobs within the military can indeed be a rewarding career choice. This line of work often involves rehabilitation, development, and maintenance of necessary skills for service members and even their families who may be coping with disabilities or injuries.

Now, to get into this field, first, you need to meet the educational requirements. That usually involves earning a master’s or doctorate degree in occupational therapy from an accredited institution and passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. This enables you to become a licensed practitioner.

Once certified, you can consider working with military personnel in different settings like military treatment facilities (MTFs), rehabilitation centers, hospitals, outpatient clinics or even in educational settings within Department of Defense schools. Vacancies for these roles are typically advertised on the federal government’s official jobs website, USAJOBS. You can regularly check these opportunities and submit your application.

Working as an occupational therapist in the military environment can be intense but equally fulfilling. You could be involved in treating service members who have suffered physical or mental health injuries during active duty. You could be creating rehabilitation programs for service members returning from deployment or helping military children with developmental delays. As with any job, the more specific your skills and experience, the more in-demand you will be, so consider seeking out specializations that match the unique needs of military personnel.

Remember that working with the military could also mean adaptability to specific demands such as a fast-paced work environment, working with a diverse patient population and possibly frequent relocation. However, the benefits can go beyond the satisfaction of helping service members recover and adjust. You could have access to advanced training opportunities and potentially faster career advancement than you might in civilian healthcare positions.

In conclusion, having a robust education, gaining licensure, and proactively seeking and applying for job opportunities that interest you, in conjunction with a readiness to adapt to the unique demands and rewards of a military environment, will be crucial steps towards a successful career as an occupational therapist working with the military.