Physical Therapy Assistant​/Athletic Trainer - Clinical Research

Position Details

Position:
Physical Therapy Assistant / Athletic Trainer – Clinical Research

Location:

Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) & Desmond T. Doss Health Clinic, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

Schedule:

Full-Time, 40 hours per week

Work Arrangement: 100% On-Site

Compensation: $25.00–$35.00/hour

Background Requirement: A thorough government background check is required.

This isn't a traditional PTA or Athletic Trainer position. You'll work alongside Physical Therapists, research investigators, and other healthcare and research professionals on studies examining musculoskeletal injuries, rehabilitation, recovery, and return to duty. The research program evaluates common musculoskeletal conditions—including back, knee, and shoulder injuries—and investigates approaches that may help service members recover successfully and maintain operational readiness. One of the studies you'll support is a Phase II randomized controlled clinical trial examining early versus delayed physical therapy following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery.

The goal is to answer an important clinical question:
Can the timing of physical therapy after surgery improve rehabilitation and recovery outcomes? Participants are evaluated before surgery and followed throughout their recovery, giving you the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, longitudinal clinical research.

• Work directly with research participants during clinical and study visits
• Assist with therapeutic exercise, rehabilitation activities, physical modalities, and activities of daily living
• Support Physical Therapists with participant evaluations and study-related assessments
• Collect clinical, functional, and research data
• Assist with motion analysis and specialized research equipment
• Monitor and document participant progress and response to rehabilitation
• Enter and maintain accurate study data and research documentation
• Assist with braces, prostheses, and mobility-related equipment when applicable
• Maintain confidential medical and research records
• Prepare progress reports and study-related information
• Collaborate with Physical Therapists, investigators, research staff, participants, and study partners
• Follow study protocols, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), OSHA, infection control, and applicable regulatory requirements
• Support additional activities needed to keep clinical research studies running successfully

You may be a great fit if you enjoy working with patients, rehabilitation, human movement, and learning new skills and are interested in seeing how clinical research can influence future standards of care.

We welcome candidates with backgrounds in:

• Physical therapy
• Athletic training
• Orthopedics
• Sports medicine
• Rehabilitation
• Human performance
• Clinical research

• Associate degree from an accredited Physical Therapy program for Physical Therapy Assistant candidates
• Current Physical Therapy Assistant certification or credentialing, as applicable
• Athletic training education and current certification/credentialing, as applicable for Athletic Trainer candidates
• 1–3 years of experience in physical therapy, athletic training, rehabilitation, orthopedics, sports medicine, or a related healthcare environment preferred
• Orthopedic or musculoskeletal experience preferred
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organization and attention to detail
• Ability and willingness to learn new clinical and research procedures
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining professionalism
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point
• Additional experience that is helpful, but not required:
  Motion…