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48GX Career Guide

Air Force

48GX: Flight and Operational Medical Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Flight and Operational Medical Technician (48GX)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 48GX veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

$85K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certificationKnowledge of OSHA regulationsExperience in industrial hygiene

Registered Nurse (RN) - Occupational Health

$78K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

RN licenseCertification in Occupational Health Nursing (COHN)Experience with workers' compensation cases

Public Health Program Manager

$82K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certification (PMP)Grant writingCommunity outreach experienceData analysis

Environmental Health Specialist

$74K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) certificationKnowledge of environmental regulationsExperience in environmental sampling and analysis

Healthcare Administrator

$90K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Master's degree in Healthcare Administration (MHA)Strong understanding of healthcare financeKnowledge of healthcare regulationsExperience with electronic health records (EHR)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 48GX training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

As an Aerospace Medical Technician, you routinely make quick decisions regarding patient care and resource allocation, especially during emergencies or mass casualty situations. You must rapidly assess the severity of injuries and illnesses to determine who needs immediate attention.

Your ability to quickly assess situations and prioritize tasks under pressure translates directly to fast-paced civilian environments where critical decisions must be made efficiently.

Situational Awareness

You maintain a high level of awareness regarding the health and safety of aircrew and other special operations personnel. This includes understanding the impact of environmental factors, operational demands, and individual medical conditions on performance and well-being.

Your strong situational awareness allows you to anticipate potential problems, adapt to changing conditions, and make informed decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of your surroundings.

Procedural Compliance

You adhere to strict medical standards, policies, and procedures governing flight medicine, preventive medicine, and occupational medicine. This includes accurately documenting patient information, following established treatment protocols, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Your meticulous attention to detail and commitment to following established procedures make you a valuable asset in any organization where accuracy, consistency, and regulatory compliance are essential.

Team Synchronization

You collaborate closely with various medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, bioenvironmental engineers, and public health officers, to provide comprehensive medical support to aircrew and other personnel. This requires effective communication, coordination, and a shared understanding of team goals.

Your experience working in multidisciplinary teams and your ability to effectively communicate and coordinate with diverse individuals make you well-suited for collaborative civilian environments.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Emergency Management Director

SOC 11-9161.00

You've been responsible for establishing procedures for aircraft mishap and disaster response, so you already have a head start in planning and directing disaster response or crisis management activities, providing disaster preparedness training, and developing emergency management plans and programs.

Healthcare Administrator

SOC 11-9111.00

You've been managing medical programs and providing medical advice to staff. This experience translates well to planning, directing, and coordinating medical and health services in various healthcare settings.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

SOC 29-9011.00

You've been identifying occupational hazards and investigating job-related injuries or illnesses. Your experience directly applies to analyzing work environments and designing programs to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice Course, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX

960 training hours24 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Aerospace Physiology
  • Flight Medicine
  • Occupational Health
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Medical Threat Assessment
  • Aeromedical Evacuation
  • Contingency Medical Operations

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Safety Professional (CSP)60% covered

CSP requires a bachelor's degree in safety or a related field, plus professional safety experience. Focus study on advanced safety management techniques, risk assessment methodologies beyond the military scope, and legal/regulatory frameworks specific to civilian industries.

Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)50% covered

CIH requires a science degree and significant experience. Study advanced toxicology, environmental monitoring techniques, and industrial hygiene regulations (OSHA, NIOSH) in the civilian sector.

OSHA 30-Hour General Industry70% covered

While familiar with safety concepts, focus on specific OSHA regulations, record-keeping requirements, and industry-specific standards not covered in military training.

Recommended Next Certifications

Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association (FAsMA)Certified Physician Executive (CPE)Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Aeromedical Electronic Resource Tracking System (AERTS)Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems like Epic or Cerner
Air Force Medical Readiness Tracking System (AFMRTS)Occupational health and safety management software
Deployed Aeromedical Information System (DAIS)Telemedicine platforms for remote medical consultation
Joint Patient Assessment Tool (JPAT)SOAP note software for patient evaluation and tracking
Composite Health Care System (CHCS)Hospital information systems (HIS)
Theater Medical Information Program (TMIP)Global health information exchange (GHIE) platforms
Airborne StethoscopeWireless stethoscope

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