Pharmacy

What does the Pharmacy career field do?

Manages administrative and technical pharmacy activities. Requisitions, stocks, compounds, and dispenses pharmaceuticals. Safeguards controlled drugs. Maintains and operates pharmacy information systems. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 131200.

Duties and responsibilities

• Compounds and dispenses pharmaceuticals. Interprets prescriptions and formulas for appropriateness and conformity with established guidelines. Confers with prescribers or patients on questions to assure desired therapeutic outcome. Performs and verifies pharmaceutical calculations. Selects and prepares drug orders according to accepted standards. Manufactures, labels, and stores preparations according to accepted compendia and reference literature.
• Performs inventory control functions. Establishes requirements, requisitions, and stores drugs and equipment. Prepares orders needed for emergency, controlled drug, or other special items. Initiates defective drug product complaints. Processes adverse drug reaction reports.
• Plans and organizes pharmacy activities. Develops economical, efficient work methods and operating procedures. Coordinates pharmacy activities with other functional areas. Develops and directs pharmacy quality assurance programs.
• Inspects and evaluates pharmacy activities. Conducts periodic inspections of all drug storage and usage areas. Corrects discrepancies and maintains inspection reports.
• Develops formulations. Assists in the development of new or modified drug formulations. Maintains current drug information literature for pharmacy and medical staff. Participates in Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee functions.
• Performs pharmacy administrative functions. Provides proper maintenance and disposal for all pertinent Air Force and drug records. Prepares and revises Medical Facility Drug Formulary.
• Operates and maintains data automation equipment. Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of computer software and hardware. Revises data automation needs in accordance with current technology and availability.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: pharmaceutical chemistry; pharmaceutical calculations; pharmacology and medical ethics; pharmacy management; medical administrative procedures; quality assurance; medical supply and local procedures; documentation management.

Education. For entry into this specialty, successful completion of one year of high school or one semester of college for both algebra and biology or algebra and chemistry, with a final grade of C or higher is mandatory. Completion of high school or college courses in anatomy, physiology, automated data processing, and typing is desirable.

Training. For award of AFSC 4P031, completion of a basic pharmacy course is mandatory.

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of AFSC indicated:

• 4P051. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 4P031. Also, experience in preparing, storing, or dispensing medications.
• 4P071. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 4P051. Also, experience performing or supervising function such as compounding, storing, or dispensing medicinal preparations.
• 4P091. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 4P071. Also, experience managing functions such as those involved in administrative and technical pharmacy operations.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this specialty:
• Normal color vision as defined in AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• See attachment 4 for additional entry requirements.
• Must score at least a 34 percentile on Pharmacy Predictive Success Model (Pharmacy PSM) that is composed of Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) subtests and Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System (TAPAS) facets selected for the 4P0X1 specialty or the MAGE requirement reflected on attachment 4.
• For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs, ability to speak distinctly without speech impediment.
• For award and retention of AFSCs 4P031/51, ability to keystroke at a rate of 25 words per minute.
• For award and retention of AFSC 4P071:
• Must complete DoD Tech-Check-Tech Program
• Must pass the National Certified Pharmacy Technician Examination (CPhT). After initial certification, continued certification is mandatory unless member retrains outside of the specialty.
• For award and retention of AFSCs 4P091/00, ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs, must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $29,280–$128,710 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Pharmacists: $128,710
• Pharmacy Aides: $29,280
• Pharmacy Technicians: $35,100