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1935 Career Guide

Navy

1935: Optometry Officer Candidate

Career transition guide for Navy Optometry Officer Candidate (1935)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1935 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Optometrist

$125K
High matchStable demand

Healthcare Administrator

$95K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Healthcare Management CertificationMBA or MHA

Medical and Health Services Manager

$110K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Healthcare Administration CertificationProject Management

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

$85K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Sales ExperiencePharmaceutical Knowledge

Research Scientist (Vision Science)

$90K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

PhD in relevant fieldResearch experienceGrant writing

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1935 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a prospective Medical Service Officer specializing in Optometry, you're constantly assessing the overall health and readiness of naval personnel's vision, factoring in environmental conditions, individual medical histories, and operational demands to ensure optimal visual performance.

This translates directly to keenly observing and interpreting complex environments in various civilian fields, anticipating potential issues, and making informed decisions based on real-time information.

Rapid Prioritization

In a medical setting, especially within the Navy, you'll quickly assess patients' needs based on urgency and available resources. This includes identifying potential vision-related emergencies, differentiating between routine check-ups and critical cases, and allocating your time and attention accordingly.

The ability to rapidly prioritize tasks and resources under pressure is highly valuable in dynamic civilian roles, ensuring the most critical issues are addressed promptly and efficiently.

Procedural Compliance

As a Naval Officer, you are ingrained in adherence to strict protocols and regulations. As an Optometry specialist, you will be expected to follow established medical procedures, documentation standards, and safety guidelines to maintain patient well-being and legal compliance.

This demonstrates a commitment to accuracy, consistency, and ethical conduct, essential for roles requiring strict adherence to rules and regulations, mitigating risks, and ensuring quality control.

Resource Optimization

Within a Naval medical setting, you must efficiently manage limited resources, including diagnostic equipment, treatment supplies, and personnel time, to provide optimal eye care to a large patient population.

This translates to a knack for maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste in civilian workplaces, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing cost-effective solutions.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Healthcare Administrator

SOC 11-9111.00

You've been trained to manage resources and prioritize patient care in a complex environment. Your understanding of medical procedures and protocols, combined with your ability to optimize resources, makes you an excellent candidate for overseeing the operations of a clinic or hospital.

Quality Assurance Specialist (Healthcare)

SOC 29-2099.00

You've been immersed in procedural compliance and attention to detail. Your experience in adhering to strict medical protocols and documentation standards translates perfectly to ensuring quality and safety in healthcare services.

Medical Equipment Sales Representative

SOC 41-9031.00

You've gained in-depth knowledge of optometry equipment and its applications. Your understanding of the clinical needs of medical professionals, combined with your communication skills, makes you a valuable asset in promoting and selling specialized medical devices.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Medical Service Corps Officer Basic Course (MSCOBC), Naval Medical Leader & Professional Development Command, Bethesda, MD followed by Optometry Residency Program at Naval Medical Center San Diego or similar

2,000 training hours104 weeksVaries depending on residency program - typically substantial graduate-level credit recommendation

Topics Covered

  • Military Medical Ethics
  • Naval Leadership
  • Operational Medicine
  • Optometry Clinical Procedures
  • Ocular Disease Diagnosis and Management
  • Refractive Error Correction
  • Vision Therapy
  • Low Vision Rehabilitation

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Professional Coder (CPC)40% covered

Requires focused study on medical coding systems (ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS), billing regulations, and compliance standards specific to Optometry practices.

Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist (CHTS)60% covered

Requires additional training in specific EHR systems, HIPAA compliance, and healthcare IT security protocols. Focus needed on areas like data interoperability and patient privacy regulations specific to optometry.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA)Certified Optometric Technician (COT)Certified Optometric Assistant (CPOA)Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)Clinical OCT imaging systems (various manufacturers)
Retinal CameraFundus camera (various manufacturers)
Humphrey Visual Field AnalyzerAutomated perimeters (e.g., Humphrey Field Analyzer)
Automated RefractorAutorefractors (various manufacturers)
Slit Lamp BiomicroscopeSlit lamps (various manufacturers)
Tonometers (Goldmann, iCare)Tonometers (various types for measuring intraocular pressure)
Electronic Health Record (EHR) - MHS GENESISElectronic Health Record (EHR) systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner)

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