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91450 Career Guide

Air Force

91450: Mental Health Service Apprentice

Career transition guide for Air Force Mental Health Service Apprentice (91450)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 91450 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

$60K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, or related fieldState licensure as an LMHC

Social Worker

$55K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Master's degree in Social Work (MSW)State license (LCSW, LMSW, etc.)Familiarity with specific populations (e.g., children, families, veterans)

Substance Abuse Counselor

$48K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) or similar certificationKnowledge of addiction treatment modalitiesUnderstanding of local and state regulations regarding substance abuse treatment

Human Resources (HR) Specialist

$62K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certificationKnowledge of employment lawExperience in employee relations and conflict resolution

Healthcare Administrator

$75K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Healthcare Administration or related fieldKnowledge of healthcare regulations and complianceProject management skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 91450 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

Constantly monitoring patient behavior and emotional states to prevent crises, such as suicide attempts or escalating conflicts, requires keen observation and quick assessment of the environment.

This translates to an ability to quickly grasp complex social dynamics and anticipate potential problems in a civilian environment, crucial for managing teams or customer interactions.

Rapid Prioritization

Managing multiple patients with varying needs, from administering medication to conducting therapy sessions, demands the ability to quickly assess urgency and allocate resources effectively.

This skill becomes invaluable in fast-paced civilian roles where multitasking and quick decision-making are essential for meeting deadlines and handling competing demands.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict medical protocols and documentation requirements when administering psychological tests, dispensing medication, and reporting patient progress ensures patient safety and legal compliance.

Your meticulous adherence to procedures translates directly into roles requiring regulatory compliance, quality control, and data integrity, ensuring accuracy and minimizing errors.

Team Synchronization

Collaborating with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans for patients necessitates clear communication and coordinated action.

This collaborative experience equips you to thrive in team-based civilian roles, where you can effectively coordinate with colleagues, share information, and contribute to shared goals.

Resource Optimization

Managing mental health service resources, including scheduling appointments, allocating staff, and maintaining records, ensures efficient service delivery within budgetary constraints.

Your experience optimizing resource allocation translates well to civilian roles requiring project management, budget oversight, and process improvement, ensuring resources are used effectively and efficiently.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been immersed in procedural compliance within a highly regulated environment, so you understand the importance of following guidelines and maintaining meticulous records. This translates directly to a Compliance Officer role, where you'll ensure organizations adhere to laws, regulations, and internal policies, protecting them from legal and ethical risks.

Victim Advocate

SOC 21-1099.01

You've developed incredible situational awareness and sensitivity to emotional distress while supporting patients. This makes you ideal as a Victim Advocate, where you'll provide support, resources, and advocacy for individuals who have experienced trauma or abuse. Your skills in crisis intervention and de-escalation will be invaluable.

Human Resources Specialist

SOC 13-1071.00

You're adept at managing interpersonal dynamics, maintaining confidentiality, and resolving conflicts. These skills are essential for a Human Resources Specialist, where you'll be responsible for employee relations, conflict resolution, and ensuring a positive and supportive work environment. Plus, your experience with administrative tasks makes you ready to handle HR paperwork.

Healthcare Administrator

SOC 11-9111.00

You've gained experience managing mental health service activities, including resource allocation, scheduling, and coordination with other agencies. This gives you a solid foundation for a Healthcare Administrator role, where you'll oversee the administrative and operational aspects of healthcare facilities or programs. Your ability to prioritize and optimize resources will be highly valued.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Mental Health Service Apprentice Course, Sheppard Air Force Base, TX

560 training hours14 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in psychology and counseling

Topics Covered

  • Basic Mental Health Principles
  • Psychological Testing Administration and Scoring
  • Clinical Interviewing Techniques
  • Substance Abuse Awareness and Intervention
  • Mental Health Treatment Modalities (Individual and Group)
  • Patient Documentation and Reporting
  • Aeromedical Evacuation Procedures
  • Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)70% covered

Requires specific coursework in addiction counseling, supervised clinical experience hours, and passing a certification exam specific to addiction counseling.

Certified Mental Health Technician (CMHT)60% covered

May need additional training on specific therapeutic techniques and documentation procedures used in civilian mental health settings. Review specific state or organizational requirements.

Recommended Next Certifications

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)Associate of Applied Science in Mental Health TechnologyBachelor of Social Work (BSW)Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)

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)
Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA)Practice Management Software (PMS)
Defense Medical Human Resources System - internet (DMHRSi)Human Resources Management Systems (HRMS) (e.g., Workday, BambooHR)
Mental Health Assessment Tool (MHAT)Psychological Assessment Platforms (e.g., Pearson Assessments, ProQuest)
Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) protocolsEmergency Medical Transport (EMT) protocols
Air Force Drug Testing ProgramSubstance Abuse Testing Programs (e.g., LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics)

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