Physiotherapy Officer

As a member of the military, Physiotherapy Officers assess, educate and treat Forces members for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.

As a member of the military, Physiotherapy Officers assess, educate and treat Forces members for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. They establish treatment plans for a variety of orthopaedic, cardio-respiratory, neuro-musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy issues.

As a member of the Canadian Forces Health Services team, Physiotherapy Officers are responsible for assessing injury and developing treatment plans with the objective of returning Forces members to active duty. They also provide advice and guidance in:

• Worksite assessments and industrial ergonomics;
• Injury prevention;
• Health promotion;
• Sports injury education;
• Pre-deployment education; and

Physiotherapy Officers work in the physiotherapy clinic of a Health Care Centre with other members of the military health care team. They work in a typical clinical environment using manual therapy and soft-tissue techniques. They also have access to physical agents such as cold, heat, hydrotherapy, acupuncture and electrotherapy modalities. Equipment includes conventional tools such as weights, pulleys, exercise apparatus, traction tables, dynamometers, assistive devices, orthopedic supplies, ortheses and splinting, in addition to more sophisticated devices such as isokinetic-isotonic systems, treadmills and other computerized aerobic-fitness equipment.

When deployed on operations, Physiotherapy Officers may be required to work in temporary facilities. However, they continue to work to maintain and enhance the operational readiness of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and support the work of other members of the Health Services team.

If you chose a career in theRegular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

CAPTAIN KELLY DEBOUTER: I’m Captain Kelly Debouter from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. I’m a Physiotherapy Officer currently serving at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.

As a member of the Health Services team, Physiotherapy Officers assess and establish treatment plans for a variety of orthopedic, neuro-musculoskeletal, cardio-respiratory, and sports issues.

CAPTAIN KELLY DEBOUTER: We do have a unique clientele in the military – they need to be able to perform their job, and their job can vary from jumping out of helicopters, climbing over walls, lifting heavy engines into vehicles. So we need to be able to train them to return to that level of function. We’re very fortunate in the military to be able to take the time that we need with a patient. Our typical schedule is an hour for an initial assessment and 20 minutes for a follow-up. But if I feel like I need additional time with a member in order to give them the best treatment, then I get to take that.

In Canada, this work traditionally occurs on bases and wings, in well-equipped physiotherapy clinics similar to civilian private practice clinics found in the community. However, when deployed on operations, Physiotherapy Officers may be required to work in temporary facilities where they work closely with other members of the Health Services team to maintain and enhance the operational readiness of Forces members.

CAPTAIN KELLY DEBOUTER: Not only do we get to practise in different cities and clinics across Canada, we get to deploy to places like Afghanistan and Latvia. I’ve also been able to travel internationally with some sports teams and attend the World Military Games, World Championship-level sporting events that I probably wouldn’t get to do as a civilian.

CAPTAIN KELLY DEBOUTER: The coolest part of the job is that it’s always changing. It’s always going to be interesting – there’s always something coming up that’s going to pique my interest and keep me engaged in my job. It’s a constant learning experience; I’m learning new techniques and different ways to treat people and that’s ever-evolving.

Once they complete their basic military training, Physiotherapy Officers are posted to a physiotherapy clinic located on a Canadian Armed Forces base or wing where they’ll continue their professional development and training on the job.

CAPTAIN KELLY DEBOUTER: Every year, I have money that’s allotted to me to take continuing education courses, so I can do things like dry-needling courses, concussion training. I’ve actually been able to do a second Master’s degree at the University of Western Ontario and obtained my Advanced Certificate in Manipulative Physical Therapy. There’s options for taking any course that you want. I’ve even been able to take my yoga teacher training within the military.

Early in their career, they will also be sent on the Basic Physiotherapy Officer Course where they learn the core administrative knowledge and unique professional information required to practise physiotherapy in a military environment.

CAPTAIN KELLY DEBOUTER: You’re really focusing on becoming the best clinician that you can. So you treat patients in the clinic and then, as you develop those skills, other opportunities come to do things like administrative tasks within the clinic or even within the hospital as a whole.

CAPTAIN KELLY DEBOUTER: When I was in physiotherapy school, I’d done some placements in private practice, and I knew that I needed more. I knew that I needed some sort of adventure and that going to the same clinic every day was not going to give me what I was looking for. I’ve been able to travel the world, get training and see places that I never thought I would see.

Those wishing to enter this occupation must be a licensed Physiotherapist in Canada.