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4J031 Career Guide

Air Force

4J031: Physical Medicine Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Physical Medicine Technician (4J031)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 4J031 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Orthotist/Prosthetist

$78K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certification by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC)Master's Degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics

Physical Therapist Assistant

$63K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Associate's degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant programState licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant

Medical and Health Services Manager

$104K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Healthcare Administration or related fieldStronger understanding of healthcare finance and regulations

Exercise Physiologist

$54K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science or related fieldCertification from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or similar organizationKnowledge of specific exercise protocols for various medical conditions

Medical Equipment Repairer

$53K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Associate's degree in biomedical technology or related fieldCertification as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET)Specific training on the repair and maintenance of physical therapy equipment

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 4J031 training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

As a 4J031, you managed physical medicine and orthotic resources, including equipment and supplies, ensuring efficient allocation and minimizing waste to provide optimal patient care within budgetary constraints.

This experience translates directly into the ability to effectively manage budgets, allocate resources strategically, and identify cost-saving opportunities in a civilian setting, maximizing efficiency and productivity.

Procedural Compliance

You maintained strict adherence to medical standards, safety protocols, and regulatory guidelines in patient care, ensuring the delivery of quality and compliant physical medicine and orthotic services.

Your commitment to following procedures translates into civilian roles requiring strict adherence to regulations, such as quality assurance, compliance, or risk management, where precision and consistency are crucial.

Team Synchronization

Coordinating with physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to implement treatment plans and ensure seamless patient care honed your ability to synchronize activities within a team.

This skill translates into civilian project management or team leadership roles where coordinating diverse teams and ensuring everyone works together efficiently toward a common goal is key.

Situational Awareness

You constantly monitored patient responses to treatment, environmental factors, and equipment status to proactively identify potential issues and adapt care plans accordingly.

Your ability to maintain awareness of your surroundings and respond effectively to changing situations translates well to roles requiring keen observation and quick decision-making, such as safety management or emergency response coordination.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Ergonomics Consultant

SOC 13-1199

You've been trained to assess physical needs and create solutions for patients with mobility limitations. As an Ergonomics Consultant, you can apply this knowledge to optimize workspaces, prevent injuries, and improve employee well-being by assessing and modifying work environments to fit the needs of employees.

Medical Equipment Sales Representative

SOC 41-4011

You've developed a deep understanding of medical devices and their application in patient care. As a Medical Equipment Sales Representative, you can leverage this expertise to build trust with healthcare providers, recommend appropriate equipment solutions, and drive sales within the medical device industry.

Healthcare Administrator

SOC 11-9111

You have experience managing physical medicine and orthotic services, including resources, personnel, and administrative tasks. This background makes you well-suited for a Healthcare Administrator role, where you can oversee the operations of medical facilities, manage budgets, and ensure quality patient care.

Orthopedic Shoe Designer

SOC 27-1021

You've casted and corrected shoes, designed orthoses, and understand how to help people with disabilities improve their comfort and mobility. Your understanding of the anatomy and how the human body works will allow you to design shoes for people with special medical needs.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Physical Medicine Apprentice Course, Fort Sam Houston

680 training hours17 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Therapeutic Exercise
  • Electrotherapy Modalities
  • Orthotic Fabrication and Fitting
  • Patient Assessment and Documentation
  • Rehabilitation Techniques
  • Wound Care Principles
  • Medical Terminology

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Orthotic Assistant70% covered

Requires additional training and experience in specific orthotic techniques, materials science, and detailed understanding of anatomy and biomechanics relevant to orthotics. Knowledge of specific coding and billing practices may also be needed.

Medical Manager Certification (various organizations offer this)60% covered

Requires more in-depth knowledge of healthcare management principles, finance, human resources, and regulatory compliance specific to civilian healthcare settings. Also, practical experience in civilian healthcare administration is generally needed.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Orthotist (CO)Master of Health Administration (MHA)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Composite Health Care System (CHCS)Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems like Epic or Cerner
Aeromedical Services Information Management System (ASIMS)Occupational health management software
Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS)Hospital inventory management systems
TRICARE Online (TOL)Patient portals for appointment scheduling and communication
Physical Therapy Modalities (Ultrasound, Electrical Stimulation)Physical therapy equipment (e.g., Mettler, BTL)
Orthotic Fabrication Equipment (Mills, Lathes)Medical-grade 3D printers and CAD/CAM software for orthotics

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