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90590 Career Guide

Air Force

90590: Pharmacy Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Pharmacy Technician (90590)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 90590 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Pharmacist

$135K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

PharmD DegreeState Pharmacy License

Pharmacy Technician

$38K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Pharmacy Technician Certification (PTCB or ExCPT)State Registration (if required)

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

$95K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Strong Sales SkillsNetworkingPharmaceutical Industry Knowledge

Medical Science Liaison

$145K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced Scientific Degree (PharmD, PhD)Clinical Trial KnowledgeExcellent Communication Skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 90590 training built — and where they transfer.

Procedural Compliance

This role demands strict adherence to established protocols for drug storage, dispensing, and documentation, ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance.

The ability to meticulously follow complex procedures and regulations is crucial in many civilian sectors, particularly those involving safety and compliance.

Resource Optimization

Managing pharmacy resources efficiently, including requisitions, inventory control, and minimizing waste, is essential for effective pharmacy operations.

Skills in optimizing resources translate to effective management of budgets, inventory, and personnel in civilian business environments.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining awareness of drug shortages, adverse reactions, and changes in patient needs to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes.

This translates into the ability to quickly grasp and adapt to evolving circumstances in fast-paced civilian settings.

System Modeling

Understanding and operating pharmacy information systems, along with identifying areas for improvement, reflects system modeling capabilities.

Your experience with pharmacy systems translates well to other system-oriented roles where you'll be able to understand and manipulate complex systems.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been immersed in procedural compliance and quality assurance within a highly regulated environment. As a Compliance Officer, you can use your expertise to ensure organizations adhere to laws, regulations, and internal policies, preventing costly errors and maintaining ethical standards.

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-2081.00

You're adept at managing inventory, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring timely delivery of pharmaceuticals. As a Logistics Analyst, you can leverage these skills to streamline supply chains, improve efficiency, and reduce costs for businesses across various industries.

Quality Assurance Specialist

SOC 19-4041.00

You're experienced in developing and directing quality assurance programs, inspecting activities, and correcting discrepancies. This background makes you an ideal fit for ensuring products or services meet quality standards, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective actions.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Pharmacy Technician Training Program, Sheppard Air Force Base, TX

640 training hours16 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in Allied Health Sciences

Topics Covered

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

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)70% covered

While military training provides extensive experience with pharmaceutical procedures, a CPhT requires a strong understanding of retail pharmacy practices, insurance billing, and specific state regulations. Study these areas to bridge the gaps.

CompTIA Security+40% covered

Given experience maintaining pharmacy information systems, Security+ can be a good fit. Focus studying on topics not typically covered in military pharmacy IT like network security, cryptography, and vulnerability management.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Health Informatics Systems Professional (CHISP)Accreditation in Pharmaceutical Compounding (APC)Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS)

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 like Epic or Cerner
Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA)Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems
Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS)Inventory management software for pharmaceuticals, such as those offered by McKesson or Cardinal Health
Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs)Automated medication dispensing systems like Pyxis or Omnicell
Controlled Substance Management SystemNarcotics tracking software and secure storage solutions used in pharmacies
Medical Facility Drug FormularyHospital or pharmacy drug formulary databases and management software

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