Branch description. The Army Medical Specialist Corps is a special branch of the Army authorized by Section 3070 of Title 10 U.S. Code and is part of the Army Medical Department. The Corps is organized in four distinct sections: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Dietetics, and Physician Assistant. It is composed exclusively of certified occupational therapists, licensed physical therapists, registered dietitians, and students in the U.S. Army-Baylor University Physical Therapy Program, the Dietetic Internship Program and the Occupational Therapy Internship Program. These officers formulate policies and develop procedures for operation and improvement of their respective activities within fixed and field medical environments. They conduct and supervise the operation of these occupational therapy, physical therapy and dietetic programs and establish and execute quality assurance programs which ensure optimal standards are maintained. All three specialties assist the commander in implementing health promotion, wellness and readiness programs within the military community; participate in readiness and mobilization exercises; initiate and conduct field and clinical research and scientific studies; plan, direct and supervise educational and skill development programs for officers, enlisted personnel, civilian students and perform as staff officers within AMEDD and/or Army organizations.

Branch qualification. AR 135-101 lists qualifications for entry and professional development in this branch.

Occupational Therapy (65A).

Description of duties. Plans, implements and supervises oc­cupational therapy programs upon referral from medical officers and other health care personnel. These are programs of remediation, health maintenance, prevention, vocational adjustments, consultation in hospital/MTF and community settings to enhance task perform­ance of mentally, emotionally and physically handicapped individu­als. Services may include but are not limited to the following: Evaluation of competencies within life roles (for example, soldier, (MOS specific), occupational patterns, parent). Education and train­ing to enhance habits, self care, coping skills and activities of daily living (ADL). Identification and evaluation of mental and physical stressors and teaching prevention and coping skills. Enhancement of psychosocial skills. Design and development of splints, special equipment and their application to disabilities. Use of physical reconditioning techniques to maintain fitness, hasten recovery, im­prove independence of self care and activities of daily living. The primary wartime role is: Upper extremity neuromusculoskeletal skills evaluation and treatment. Prevention and treatment of combat stress, and battle fatigue. Reconditioning and treatment to increase physical fitness, duty related skills and work performance to mini­mize return to duty time.

Special qualifications.

(a) Possess baccalaureate or advanced degree awarded by an academic facility with an accredited curriculum in occupational therapy including field work experience (internship) acceptable to DA. Ex­ceptions may be granted for those individuals whose internship is required for the awarding of the baccalaureate degree.

(b) Must be certified by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board.

Special grading of positions. None.

Unique duty positions. None.

Physical Therapy (65B).

Description of duties. Plans and supervises physical therapy programs upon referral from medical or dental officer, or other health care professional. Serves as an independent practitioner and physician extender, evaluating, managing and providing treatment to patients with neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Primarily evaluates and treats disorders of human motion through the use of physical/ chemical therapeutic means, (such as, skills, heat, cold, electricity, water, sound, light, gravity, as well as applied techniques of therapeutic exercise, joint mobilization biomechanics, pressure and traction). These methods assist the promotion of functional independence, healing and prevent or minimize the disability caused by disease, surgery or trauma. Serves as consultant to commanders and the military community providing guidance within the areas of physical fitness, physical training and injury prevention. Develops and conducts training programs on injury prevention and physical rehabilitation for medical and non-medical personnel. The primary wartime role is to provide burn and wound care, evaluation and treatment of patients with neuromusculoskeletal conditions to minimize return to duty time.

Special qualifications.

(a) Must possess a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution which has included a physical therapy education acceptable to DA. Exceptions may be made when special needs of the Army exist. If a graduate of the Army Physical Therapy Program is awarded a certificate instead of a master’s degree they will not be extended beyond initial obligation unless they have obtained a master’s degree.

(b) Must possess a current state license for physical therapy.

Special grade of positions. None.

Unique duty positions. None.

Dietitian (65C).

Description of duties. During peacetime and mobilization or wartime formulates policies, develops procedures and directs and supervises the operation of nutrition care services and the provision of comprehensive nutrition care programs in fixed medical treatment facilities (MTF) and field medical units. Manages medical food preparation and service systems in MTF and field medical units. Ensures modified diets and foods are available and prepared for patients in MTF and field medical units. Coordinates and ensures the procurement and receipt of safe, wholesome food items/rations for patients and staff during wartime and peacetime. Provides nutrition health promotion programs for the military community and develops and directs nutrition education or dietary intervention pro-grams for the military and military beneficiaries. During peacetime and wartime assists the physician with nutritional assessment and therapeutic dietary intervention of patients, and participates and con-ducts applied research. Serves as a consultant at all levels of nutri­tion related health and performance issues, and medical food service operation in MTF and field medical units. Develops, implements and directs nutrition and medical food service education programs for hospital food service specialists, dietetic interns and other medical personnel during peacetime and wartime. Assists the Army Surgeon General in executing his duties as the DOD Executive Agent for nutrition.

Special qualifications.

(a) Possess Baccalaureate degree with major in either foods and nutrition/dietetics or institution management from college or university acceptable to DA.

(b) Have completed dietetic internship acceptable to DA.

(c) Possess baccalaureate degree in coordinated undergraduate program or master’s degree in dietetics/nutrition from a college or university acceptable to DA.

(d) Must be a Registered Dietitian.

Special grading of positions. None.

Unique duty positions. None.

Physician Assistant (65D).

Description of Duties. Plans, organizes, performs, and supervises troop medical care at Levels I and II. Directs services, teaches and trains enlisted medics, and performs as medical platoon leader or officer in charge in designated units. Manages subordinate personnel, facilities, and equipment required to operate troop clinics or other medical activities and organizations. Functions as special staff officer to the commander, advising on medically related matters pertinent to unit readiness and unit mission. Participates in the delivery of health care to all categories of patients and to all eligible beneficiaries. Prescribes courses of treatment and medication when required, and consistent with his capabilities and credentials. Interprets information in health records for application to current conditions and makes entries into the health record as a primary care provider. Orders diagnostic X-ray and laboratory procedures and writes consultations to specialty clinics and for ancillary services as appropriate. In the absence of a physician, the physician assistant will be the primary source of advice to determine the medical necessity, priority, and requirements for patient evacuation, and initial emergency care and stabilization. Supervises preparation of reports pertaining to medical activities. Functions as medical staff officer at battalion, brigade, division, Corps, major command (MACOM), and at DA level activities, advising the surgeon of the respective command and the Commander on medical matters. Func­tions as primary instructor and staff officer at the Academy of Health Sciences. After formal military and/or civilian schooling performs duties under the supervision of a physician in selected specialties. Functions as the primary medical officer reviewing and supervising the medical examinations of individuals in the personnel reliability program.

Special qualifications. Must possess a baccalaureate degree from a college or university acceptable to the DA. A graduate of a physician assistant producing program acceptable to The Army Surgeon General and be certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Special grading of positions. None.

Unique duty positions. None.