Physical Therapist / Human Performance Specialist (DPT)

Threat Management Group; Savannah, Northern (GA, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Threat Management Group is seeking a Physical Therapist / Human Performance Specialist to provide full-time HPO support for the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron in Savannah, GA. You will work with TACP operators, integrating rehabilitation, injury prevention, and performance optimization in a tactical setting.

You will lead conditioning programs, conduct movement analyses, and apply manual therapy and dry needling to enhance readiness while coordinating care with military facilities and

Qualifications

• Master's or Doctorate in Physical Therapy required.
• Current, valid state Physical Therapy license.
• ABPTS board certification as OCS or SCS.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Experience with manual therapy, dry needling, Graston/ISTM, and functional taping.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries and provide individualized rehabilitation and return-to-duty programming.
• Serve as the unit's onsite Injury Manager, coordinating medical care and assisting operators with referrals, TRICARE, and military treatment facilities.
• Provide care utilizing approved clinical privileges, which may include ordering imaging studies, laboratory testing, basic pharmaceuticals, and specialty referrals.
• Design, implement, and monitor individualized strength and conditioning programs for TACP operators.
• Conduct movement, postural, biomechanical, and functional assessments and develop corrective exercise strategies.
• Provide hands‑on treatment utilizing techniques such as manual therapy, trigger‑point dry needling, instrument‑assisted soft‑tissue mobilization, functional/therapeutic taping, and related modalities.
• Work directly with operators during training to identify injury risks and improve physical readiness and performance.
• Educate operators regarding recovery, nutrition, sleep, supplementation, injury prevention, and performance.
• Develop reconditioning programs and support OFT preparation and performance.
• Track injuries, rehabilitation, assessments, performance metrics, and other HPO program data.
• Document patient care in MHS GENESIS or the applicable military electronic health record.
• Advise unit leadership on injury prevention, rehabilitation, human performance, equipment, and program needs.
• Collaborate closely with unit leadership and other members of the HPO team to maintain operator readiness and facilitate rapid return to peak performance following injury.

Skills

PT License

ABPTS Certification

Manual Therapy

Dry Needling

Graston/ISTM

Functional Taping

Tactical Athlete

Military Special Ops Experience

Education

Master's or Doctorate in Physical Therapy

Current state PT license

ABPTS Board Certification (OCS or SCS)

BLS Certification

Job description

Physical Therapist / Human Performance Specialist (DPT)

Savannah, GA | Full-Time | Tactical Athlete / Military Performance

Threat Management Group (TMG) is seeking an experienced Physical Therapist / Human Performance Specialist to provide full-time Human Performance Optimization (HPO) support to the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) in Savannah, Georgia.This is not a traditional outpatient physical therapy position. The selected clinician will work directly with Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) operators, providing integrated injury management, rehabilitation, injury prevention, strength and conditioning, and performance optimization in a tactical environment.

The HPO program is designed around a professional-sports model, treating military operators as tactical athletes and emphasizing both immediate mission readiness and long-term physical performance.

Start date: Between 1-15 October is ideal.

What you'll do:

• Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries and provide individualized rehabilitation and return-to-duty programming.
• Serve as the unit's onsite Injury Manager, coordinating medical care and assisting operators with referrals, TRICARE, and military treatment facilities.
• Provide care utilizing approved clinical privileges, which may include ordering imaging studies, laboratory testing, basic pharmaceuticals, and specialty referrals.
• Design, implement, and monitor individualized strength and conditioning programs for TACP operators.
• Conduct movement, postural, biomechanical, and functional assessments and develop corrective exercise strategies.
• Provide hands‑on treatment utilizing techniques such as manual therapy, trigger‑point dry needling, instrument‑assisted soft‑tissue mobilization, functional/therapeutic taping, and related modalities.
• Work directly with operators during training to identify injury risks and improve physical readiness and performance.
• Educate operators regarding recovery, nutrition, sleep, supplementation, injury prevention, and performance.
• Develop reconditioning programs and support Operator Fitness Test (OFT) preparation and performance.
• Track injuries, rehabilitation, assessments, performance metrics, and other HPO program data.
• Document patient care in MHS GENESIS or the applicable military electronic health record.
• Advise unit leadership on injury prevention, rehabilitation, human performance, equipment, and program needs.
• Collaborate closely with unit leadership and other members of the HPO team to maintain operator readiness and facilitate rapid return to peak performance following injury.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's or Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited/credentialed college or university.
• Current, valid state Physical Therapy license.
• ABPTS board certification as either an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) or Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Demonstrated experience with manual therapy, trigger‑point dry needling, Graston/instrument‑assisted soft‑tissue mobilization, and functional taping.
• Experience working with elite, tactical, or professional‑level athletes.
• Documented experience providing human‑performance, rehabilitation, or athletic‑conditioning services directly within a U.S. Military Special Operations unit.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required clinical practice privileges.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the tactical environment, including hiking over rough terrain, participating in/observing TACP training evolutions, assisting with physical testing and training, and lifting or manipulating loads up to approximately 20 kg/44 lbs.

Highly preferred:

• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA or Sports Performance Coach certification through USA Weightlifting.
• Previous experience working with the TRICARE medical system.
• Additional manual/soft‑tissue therapy credentials or substantial tactical strength‑and‑conditioning experience.

Schedule and Location:

This is a full‑time, onsite position of up to 40 hours per week at the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron in Savannah, GA 31408. Telework is not authorized. Work schedules will align with unit requirements and may include approximately eight Regular Scheduled Drill (RSD) weekends per year. The successful candidate must also be able to meet applicable military‑installation access, background investigation, CAC, security, and training requirements. The contract requirement indicates personnel must have a minimum adjudicated Secret clearance.

Why This Position?

This is an opportunity for a physical therapist who wants to practice well beyond the traditional clinic environment. You'll work directly with tactical athletes and combine sports medicine, rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, injury prevention, and human performance in support of an operational military mission.

Threat Management Group, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.