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71C Career Guide

Army

71C: Medical Parasitologist

Career transition guide for Army Medical Parasitologist (71C)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 71C veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Medical Laboratory Scientist

$68K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

ASCP or equivalent certification

Clinical Research Coordinator

$62K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

GCP (Good Clinical Practice) certificationClinical trial management experience

Environmental Microbiologist

$75K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Knowledge of environmental regulationsSpecific microbiology techniques related to environmental samples

Veterinary Parasitologist

$85K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

DVM or equivalent veterinary degreeSpecialized knowledge of veterinary parasites

Public Health Microbiologist

$70K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Knowledge of public health regulations and reportingEpidemiology training

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 71C training built — and where they transfer.

Pattern Recognition

Identifying parasitic organisms under a microscope requires keen pattern recognition skills to differentiate between various species and stages of life cycles.

In the civilian world, this translates to a strong ability to analyze visual data and identify anomalies or deviations from expected patterns.

Procedural Compliance

Parasitology procedures demand strict adherence to protocols to ensure accurate and reliable results, minimizing the risk of false positives or negatives.

This skill demonstrates your ability to follow established guidelines and maintain quality control, crucial in many industries.

Resource Optimization

Military labs often operate with limited resources; parasitologists must efficiently manage supplies, reagents, and equipment to conduct tests effectively.

This highlights your resourcefulness and ability to make the most of available resources, a valuable asset in any organization seeking to improve efficiency.

Situational Awareness

Understanding the geographical distribution of parasites and the environmental factors that influence their spread is essential for effective disease surveillance and control.

You possess a heightened awareness of the context in which you operate, allowing you to anticipate potential challenges and proactively address them.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Food Safety Inspector

SOC 13-1041

You've been trained to identify microscopic organisms and follow strict protocols, which makes you exceptionally well-prepared to ensure food safety standards are met and prevent contamination.

Pharmaceutical Quality Control Analyst

SOC 19-4041

Your attention to detail and procedural compliance in parasitology translate directly to the pharmaceutical industry, where ensuring product quality and safety is paramount. You've already proven your ability to follow rigorous testing protocols.

Agricultural Technician

SOC 19-4093

You've developed a deep understanding of biological organisms and their impact on health, providing you with a unique perspective on preventing disease and optimizing agricultural yields. You've honed your observational skills to promote healthy living environments.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Medical Education and Training Campus (METC), Fort Sam Houston

280 training hours7 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in diagnostic medical parasitology

Topics Covered

  • Parasite Identification
  • Microscopy Techniques
  • Diagnostic Parasitology Procedures
  • Quality Control in Parasitology
  • Laboratory Safety
  • Collection and Preservation of Specimens
  • Life Cycles of Medically Important Parasites

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)60% covered

Requires knowledge of clinical chemistry, hematology, and immunohematology, which may not be fully covered in military parasitology training. Additional study in these areas is recommended.

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)70% covered

Requires a broader understanding of general laboratory practices and quality control, as well as knowledge in areas like urinalysis and phlebotomy. Review these topics to fill the gaps.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified in Infection Control (CIC)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Microscopes (various types, including brightfield, phase contrast, fluorescence)Clinical and research grade microscopes (e.g., Zeiss, Olympus, Leica)
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machinesReal-time PCR systems (e.g., Applied Biosystems, Roche)
ELISA readersMicroplate readers (various manufacturers)
Automated cell countersHematology analyzers (e.g., Beckman Coulter, Sysmex)
Biosafety cabinets (BSL-2 and BSL-3)Laminar flow hoods and containment workstations
AutoclavesSteam sterilizers
Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)Electronic lab notebook and data management software (e.g., LabWare, Benchling)

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