Clinical and rehabilitation therapist officers in the Commissioned Corps have the flexibility and freedom to pursue a diverse and fulfilling career. Day-to-day responsibilities of clinical and rehabilitation officers may include:

• Promoting the public health of the United States
• Providing rehabilitation service to American Indians/Alaska Natives, Federal inmates, and members of the Coast Guard and military branches
• Expanding knowledge through clinical rehabilitation services and research to improve treatment of physical, occupational, speech, respiratory, and hearing-related impairments
• Improving the health care system, including development of innovations in health care
• Assuring safe and effective use of medical devices
• Expanding national health resources

In addition, clinical and rehabilitation therapist officers may have the opportunity to assist in public health responses to man-made and natural disasters and participate in rural health missions helping some of the neediest populations in the Nation.

The focus of clinical and rehabilitation therapist officers is on improving physical health for underserved and disadvantaged patients who need it most. While there is plenty of direct patient care, there are opportunities to become involved in organized community prevention and treatment programs.

As a clinical and rehabilitation therapist officer in the Commissioned Corps, you can work throughout the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and in other Federal agencies and programs. Below is a list of potential Federal agencies and programs where therapists have the greatest likelihood of finding an assignment – the order is based on the number of officers presently assigned. See duty station map for more details.

• Indian Health Service (IHS)
• Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Department of Defense (DoD)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)