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4P051 Career Guide

Air Force

4P051: Pharmacy Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Pharmacy Technician (4P051)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 4P051 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Pharmacist

$135K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

PharmD DegreePharmacist Licensure

Pharmacy Technician

$38K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Pharmacy Technician Certification (PTCB or ExCPT)State-specific registration (if required)

Medical and Health Services Manager

$110K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Healthcare AdministrationUnderstanding of healthcare regulations and complianceLeadership and management training

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

$85K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's degree in a scientific fieldKnowledge of FDA regulations (or relevant regulatory body)Certification in Regulatory Affairs (RAC) is beneficial

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

$75K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Strong sales and communication skillsProduct knowledge (specific to the pharmaceutical company)Bachelor's degree in business or science-related field is helpful

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 4P051 training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

As a pharmacy technician, you manage drug inventories, anticipate demand, and minimize waste to ensure the pharmacy operates efficiently within budget constraints.

Your experience in optimizing resource allocation in a pharmacy setting directly translates to skills in supply chain management, inventory control, and budget management applicable in various industries.

Procedural Compliance

You meticulously follow established protocols and regulations for dispensing medications, handling controlled substances, and maintaining accurate records to ensure patient safety and legal compliance.

Your dedication to following procedures and maintaining compliance in a highly regulated environment proves your attention to detail, adherence to standards, and ability to work within established frameworks.

Situational Awareness

You continuously monitor the pharmacy environment, anticipate potential drug interactions or adverse reactions, and respond effectively to emergencies or urgent requests to maintain a safe and efficient operation.

Your heightened awareness and ability to quickly assess situations in a pharmacy setting translate to excellent decision-making skills, adaptability, and the capacity to handle complex and dynamic environments.

System Modeling

You understand and operate pharmacy information systems, ensuring proper data entry, retrieval, and analysis to support inventory management, medication tracking, and patient care.

Your experience with pharmacy information systems demonstrates your proficiency in understanding and managing complex systems, using data to improve efficiency, and contributing to informed decision-making.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

SOC 13-1041

You've been immersed in a highly regulated environment and have extensive experience adhering to strict protocols and guidelines in the pharmacy. This experience translates directly to regulatory affairs, where you'll ensure companies comply with relevant laws and regulations.

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-1081

You've honed your skills in inventory management, supply chain operations, and resource optimization within the pharmacy. These skills are highly transferable to logistics analysis, where you'll analyze and improve supply chain efficiency and distribution strategies.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You've consistently maintained high standards of procedural compliance and quality assurance in your role. These skills are essential for a compliance officer, who monitors and ensures an organization adheres to regulatory requirements and internal policies.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Pharmacy Technician Training Program, Sheppard Air Force Base, TX

560 training hours14 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Pharmaceutical Calculations
  • Pharmacy Law and Ethics
  • Drug Nomenclature and Terminology
  • Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding
  • Medication Safety and Error Prevention
  • Inventory Management and Supply Procedures
  • Pharmacy Information Systems
  • Prescription Processing and Dispensing

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)70% covered

While military training provides a strong foundation in pharmacy operations, further study may be needed in areas such as retail pharmacy practices, specific state regulations, and current updates in pharmaceutical law. Passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is required.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Compounding Sterile Preparations Technician (CST)Pharmacy Management CertificationCertified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)

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 Record (EHR) systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner)
Aerospace Medical Logistics (Logistics)Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management software (e.g., SAP Ariba, Blue Yonder)
Controlled Substance Management System (CSMS)Inventory management systems with controlled substance tracking (e.g., RxSafe, Omnicell)
Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS)Hospital supply chain management systems (e.g., GHX, Premier)
Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) FormularyHospital Formulary Management Software (e.g., FDB MedKnowledge, Lexicomp)
Joint Pathology Center (JPC) Drug Testing ProgramLaboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)

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