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Live · Guide v1.04J091 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 4J091Career Guide · Medical · VWC.CG.4J091.R.04
4J091 · USAF · Enlisted

Physical Medicine
Technician.

Air Force 4J091 (Physical Medicine Technician). 672 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $55K–$110K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.

Training hours672DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Allied Health Sciences
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles

Roles your code maps to.

SOURCE · BLS + LIGHTCAST ROLES · 4

Industry tech roles your 4J091 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.

Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge

The gap, named.

What 4J091 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.

Already have07
  • 01
    Aerospace Medical Service Information Management System (ASIMS)Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems like Epic or Cerner
  • 02
    Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS)Medical supply chain management software (e.g., GHX, McKesson)
  • 03
    Air Force Equipment Management System (AFEMS)Asset tracking and maintenance management software
  • 04
    Resource OptimizationBudget management and resource allocation
  • 05
    Procedural ComplianceQuality control and regulatory adherence
  • 06
    Team SynchronizationOrchestrating workflows and delegating tasks
  • 07
    Situational AwarenessRisk and opportunity recognition
To learn08

The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.

+SQL for data querying+Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)+Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS)+Operating system basics (Windows, Linux)+HL7 and FHIR standards+HIPAA and data privacy regulations+Test automation frameworks (e.g., Selenium, JUnit)+Programming languages for test automation (e.g., Python, Java)
How VWC fits

Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.

See VWC Programs →
/ 03 · Civilian Pathways

Where your code lands.

SOURCE · LIGHTCAST + CURATED PATHWAYS · 5
P.01

Orthotist/Prosthetist

$78K
High match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
  • Certification by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABCOP)
  • Residency in Orthotics and/or Prosthetics
P.02

Physical Therapist Assistant

$62K
Good match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • Associate's degree from an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program
  • State licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Knowledge of current physical therapy practices
P.03

Medical and Health Services Manager

$110K
Good match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Healthcare Administration or related field
  • Project management skills
  • Knowledge of healthcare regulations and compliance
P.04

Exercise Physiologist

$55K
Moderate match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
  • Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science or related field
  • Certification as an Exercise Physiologist (e.g., through ACSM)
  • Knowledge of exercise prescription and rehabilitation techniques
P.05

Occupational Therapy Assistant

$64K
Moderate match
High demand
Skills to develop
  • Associate's degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program
  • State licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Understanding of occupational therapy principles
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths

What the code built.

Cognitive skills your 4J091 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.

S.01

Resource Optimization

As a 4J091, you managed physical medicine and orthotic resources, including personnel, equipment, and budgets, to ensure efficient delivery of patient care. You made recommendations for resource requirements and ensured compliance with maintenance procedures.

Transfers to

This translates directly to skills in budget management, inventory control, and resource allocation, crucial for maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste in any organization.

S.02

Procedural Compliance

Your role demanded strict adherence to medical protocols, safety regulations, and ethical standards. You ensured the physical medicine element followed all guidelines in delivering patient care.

Transfers to

This signifies a commitment to quality control, regulatory adherence, and process management, vital for maintaining operational integrity and minimizing risk across industries.

S.03

Team Synchronization

You coordinated the activities of physical medicine and orthotic personnel to implement treatment plans, ensuring seamless patient care. This required coordinating activities across multiple medical specialties.

Transfers to

This showcases your ability to orchestrate complex workflows, delegate tasks effectively, and foster collaboration among team members, essential for achieving shared objectives in any collaborative work environment.

S.04

Situational Awareness

Your role in administering patient care and observing, recording, and reporting patient responses to treatment shows great attention to detail. This includes noticing subtle changes in a patient's condition and adapting treatment accordingly.

Transfers to

Your keen eye for detail and ability to quickly assess and adapt in a variety of environments translates into an ability to recognize risks and opportunities in complex operational landscapes.

/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches

Roles the recruiter won't suggest.

Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.

Healthcare Administrator

SOC 11-9111.00

You've been managing physical medicine elements and patient care programs. Your skills in resource optimization, procedural compliance, and team synchronization make you well-equipped to oversee the administrative functions of a healthcare facility.

Adjacent · Match

Quality Assurance Manager

SOC 11-3051.00

Your experience in maintaining standards of care and ethical conduct, ensuring compliance with regulations, and participating in patient care evaluation make you a great fit to ensure product or service quality.

Adjacent · Match

Medical Equipment Sales Representative

SOC 41-9031.00

You've got hands-on experience with medical equipment and a deep understanding of patient needs, making you uniquely qualified to sell and educate others on medical devices and orthotics. You can leverage your understanding of clinical settings to tailor sales pitches and build trust with potential clients.

Adjacent · Match
/ 06 · Training & Certs

What you trained on.

SOURCE · DOD + ACE\nVALIDATED
Academy

Physical Medicine Apprentice Course

Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, TX
672hHours
16wkWeeks
ACECredit

Up to 9 semester hours recommended in Allied Health Sciences

Topics · 8
  • Medical Terminology
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Therapeutic Exercise
  • Electrotherapy and Modalities
  • Orthotics Fabrication and Fitting
  • Patient Care and Safety
  • Rehabilitation Techniques
  • Documentation and Record Keeping
Partial coverage · 2
  • Certified Medical Manager (CMM)70%

    Requires additional study in healthcare financial management, legal and regulatory compliance, and human resources specific to civilian healthcare settings.

  • Registered Orthotic Fitter60%

    Requires further training and certification in the fabrication and fitting of orthoses per civilian standards.

Recommended next · 03
  • Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)Adjacent
  • Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (FAAOP)Adjacent
  • Master of Health Administration (MHA)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation

What you ran, in their words.

Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian EquivalentDomain
Aerospace Medical Service Information Management System (ASIMS)Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems like Epic or CernerMedical
Composite Health Care System (CHCS)Hospital information systems (HIS)Operations
Physical Medicine Treatment Modalities (Ultrasound, Electrical Stimulation)Rehabilitation equipment (e.g., Mettler, BTL)Medical
Orthotic Fabrication Equipment (Mills, Lathes, Vacuum Formers)Prosthetic and Orthotic milling machines, vacuum forming equipment, and 3D printersOperations
Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS)Medical supply chain management software (e.g., GHX, McKesson)Medical
Air Force Equipment Management System (AFEMS)Asset tracking and maintenance management softwareOperations
/ Translator · Live

Translate 4J091 into a resume that ships.

Pair this guide with the VWC AI-powered translator: drop in your service record, get back ATS-optimized civilian resume language tuned to the tech roles above.