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90550 Career Guide

Air Force

90550: Pharmacy Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Pharmacy Technician (90550)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 90550 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Pharmacist

$132K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

PharmD DegreePassing the NAPLEX and MPJE examsState licensure

Pharmacy Technician

$38K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

PTCB or ExCPT certificationUnderstanding of state-specific pharmacy regulations

Medical and Health Services Manager

$110K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Master's degree in Health Administration or related fieldKnowledge of healthcare regulations and complianceLeadership and management training

Healthcare Consultant

$95K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Business acumenConsulting experienceIn-depth knowledge of healthcare industry trends

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

$85K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Sales skills and experienceKnowledge of pharmacology and therapeuticsStrong communication and interpersonal skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 90550 training built — and where they transfer.

Procedural Compliance

As a pharmacy specialist, you rigorously adhere to strict protocols for drug handling, storage, and dispensing, ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance every time.

This meticulous approach to following procedures translates directly into any role requiring strict adherence to regulations and quality control standards, such as compliance officer or quality assurance specialist.

Resource Optimization

You are responsible for managing pharmacy inventory, anticipating demand, and efficiently allocating resources to minimize waste and ensure medication availability. You are used to getting the most out of limited resources.

This skill in optimizing resource allocation is highly valuable in roles requiring budget management, supply chain optimization, or operations management, where efficiency and cost-effectiveness are paramount.

Situational Awareness

You must maintain constant awareness of drug interactions, potential adverse reactions, and changing patient needs to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes and safety. You are also aware of the broader context of medical facility operations and how pharmacy activities fit in.

Your keen awareness and ability to anticipate potential issues make you well-suited for roles requiring risk management, crisis response, or strategic planning, where a comprehensive understanding of the environment is crucial.

System Modeling

You develop and maintain pharmacy information systems, requiring you to understand complex workflows, data relationships, and technical dependencies to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

This expertise in system design and maintenance is directly transferable to roles involving data analysis, IT support, or process improvement, where you can leverage your technical skills to optimize system performance.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Healthcare Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You've been immersed in a world of strict regulations and quality assurance in the pharmacy. As a Healthcare Compliance Officer (13-1041), you can leverage this experience to ensure healthcare organizations adhere to legal and ethical standards, conducting audits, developing policies, and mitigating risks. Your expertise in drug handling and storage will be invaluable.

Inventory Management Specialist

SOC 13-1199

Your experience in managing pharmacy inventory, anticipating demand, and optimizing resource allocation has prepared you to excel as an Inventory Management Specialist (13-1199). You've been responsible for ensuring the right medications are available at the right time, minimizing waste, and controlling costs. This translates directly to managing inventory across various industries.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

SOC 13-1041

You've been working with drug regulations and ensuring compliance in the pharmacy. As a Regulatory Affairs Specialist (13-1041), you can utilize this knowledge to assist companies in navigating the complex regulatory landscape of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or other regulated industries. Your attention to detail and understanding of compliance will be essential.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Pharmacy Technician Training Program, Medical Education and Training Campus (METC), Fort Sam Houston, TX

960 training hours24 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Pharmaceutical Calculations
  • Pharmacy Law and Ethics
  • Medical Terminology
  • Drug Identification and Nomenclature
  • Aseptic Technique and Sterile Compounding
  • Inventory Management and Supply Procedures
  • Pharmacy Information Systems

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)70% covered

Requires passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or ExCPT exam. Focus study on retail pharmacy practices, insurance billing, and specific state laws regarding pharmacy operations.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Compounding Practitioner (CCP)Board Certified Sterile Compounding Pharmacist (BCSCP)Pharmacy Management CertificationCertified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM)

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 (e.g., Epic, Cerner)
Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS)Inventory management software (e.g., Oracle NetSuite, Fishbowl Inventory)
Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs) (e.g., Pyxis, Omnicell)Automated medication dispensing systems
Controlled Substance Management SystemNarcotics tracking software
Medical Materiel Management System (MMMS)Hospital supply chain management software
Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) specific drug formulariesCommercial drug databases and formularies (e.g., Lexicomp, Micromedex)

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