Carrie storer, pt, dpt and kerry macdonald, pt, dsc
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is a joint, integrated Combat Support Agency that enables the Army, Navy, and Air Force medical services to provide a medically ready force and ready medical force to Combatant Commands in both peacetime and wartime. The DHA uses the principles of Ready Reliable Care to advance high reliability practices across the Military Health System by improving our system operations, driving innovative solutions, and cultivating a culture of safety. DHA was established in 2013 in an effort to integrate the Military Health Services under one agency. DHA has evolved and now consists of 9 Defense Health Networks advancing the organization to streamline processes and stabilize the MHS; thereby enhancing employee satisfaction, building readiness, and improving the ability to provide health care anytime, anywhere.
Within Military Treatment Facilities, civilian physical therapists work alongside uniformed military officers and non-commissioned officers to deliver high quality, evidence based services for Active Duty Service members and Tricare beneficiaries both in the United States and abroad. PTs work in a variety of settings to include outpatient and inpatient providing all types of care neuromusculoskeletal care (orthopedic, sports medicine, neurologic, wound care, vestibular, and women’s health). DHA has launched an initiative to assess the feasibility of physical therapists to serve in primary care role as the neuromusculoskeletal expert with initial results yielding positive results (reduced costs and improved patient outcomes).
Important links:
VA/DOD CPGs https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Access-Cost-Quality-and-Safety/VADOD-CPGs
APTA CPGs: https://www.apta.org/patient-care/evidence-based-practice-resources/clinical-practice-guidelines
Employment opportunities: www.usajobs.gov