I'm Captain Kelly Debouter from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
I'm a Physiotherapy Officer currently serving at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.
As a member of the Health Services team,
Physiotherapy Officers assess and establish treatment plans for a variety
of orthopedic, neuro-musculoskeletal, cardio-respiratory, and sports issues.
We do have a unique clientele in the military - they need to be able to perform their job,
and their job can vary from jumping out of helicopters, climbing over walls,
lifting heavy engines into vehicles.
So we need to be able to train them to return to that level of function.
We're very fortunate in the military to be able to take the time that we need with a patient.
Our typical schedule is an hour for an initial assessment and 20 minutes for a follow-up.
But if I feel like I need additional time with a member
in order to give them the best treatment, then I get to take that.
In Canada, this work traditionally occurs on bases and wings,
in well-equipped physiotherapy clinics similar to civilian private practice clinics
found in the community.
However, when deployed on operations, Physiotherapy Officers may be required to work
in temporary facilities where they work closely with other members of the Health Services team
to maintain and enhance the operational readiness of Forces members.
Not only do we get to practise in different cities and clinics across Canada,
we get to deploy to places like Afghanistan and Latvia.
I've also been able to travel internationally with some sports teams
and attend the World Military Games, World Championship-level sporting events
that I probably wouldn't get to do as a civilian.
The coolest part of the job is that it's always changing.
It's always going to be interesting - there's always something coming up
that's going to pique my interest and keep me engaged in my job.
It's a constant learning experience;
I'm learning new techniques and different ways to treat people and that's ever-evolving.
Once they complete their basic military training,
Physiotherapy Officers are posted to a physiotherapy clinic
located on a Canadian Armed Forces base or wing
where they'll continue their professional development and training on the job.
Every year, I have money that's allotted to me to take continuing education courses,
so I can do things like dry-needling courses, concussion training.
I've actually been able to do a second Master's degree at the University of Western Ontario
and obtained my Advanced Certificate in Manipulative Physical Therapy.
There's options for taking any course that you want.
I've even been able to take my yoga teacher training within the military.
Early in their career, they will also be sent on the Canadian Armed Forces
Physiotherapy Preceptorship course where they learn the core administrative knowledge
and unique professional information required to practise physiotherapy in a military environment.
You're really focusing on becoming the best clinician that you can.
So you treat patients in the clinic and then, as you develop those skills,
other opportunities come to do things like administrative tasks within the clinic
or even within the hospital as a whole.
When I was in physiotherapy school, I'd done some placements in private practice,
and I knew that I needed more.
I knew that I needed some sort of adventure and that going to the same clinic every day
was not going to give me what I was looking for.
I've been able to travel the world,
get training and see places that I never thought I would see.