Air Force Health Services Management (4A0X1) personnel are the ones who ensure a smooth transport, check in process, treatment process and discharge.
They are the ones who keep Air Force hospitals and clinics running.
This position is responsible for everything from running computer software to completing your discharge paperwork.
Education, Qualifications and Training
Air Force Health Services Management positions have less general entry requirements than other positions.
Education
To be considered for this position you must have at minimum a High School Diploma or GED.
You must also meet the Air Force general ASVAB requirements.
Qualifications
This is one of a very few positions in the Air Force that does not include color blindness as a disqualifying qualification.
For this position, you must be between the ages of 17 and 39.
You must have knowledge of general clerical procedures.
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Training
As with all Military personnel, you will be required to complete 8.5 weeks of Basic Military Training.
After you complete Basic Training, you will head to Tech School at Ft. Sam Houston in Texas.
During Tech School you will learn basic health care procedures and software.
This technical training is generally 36 days.
What is an Average Day Like for Air Force Health Services Management?
Each day Air Force Health Services Management specialist will see different patients and situations.
They can work in Air Force clinics, hospitals and trauma care centers.
The job for Health Services Management starts before patients arrive.
It is their responsibility to ensure that software and computer systems are working efficiently.
When an accident or incident occurs, Health Services Management will help coordinate the transport of the patient to the facility.
Once at the facility, they will conduct admission interviews and complete initial intake record filing.
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During the patient stay, they will help keep a seamless stream of communication and record information to help get the patient the care they need, as quickly as possible.
When the patient is ready to be discharged, Health Services Management will complete discharge paperwork and interviews.
These specialist will file and maintain the patient record.
They will also check the records for accuracy and completeness.
Health Services Management will create billing statements, budget information, and financial plans.
Assisting with payment processing and patient record processing are important tasks.
They are responsible for scheduling appointments and staffing.
On top of the filling and paperwork, Health Services Management monitor information security services.
Air Force Health Services Management are there to help all medical staff.
If there is a special request for diagnostic testing or last minute referral, they are there to make sure everything runs smoothly for the best experience possible.
Individuals in this position play a few different roles from receptionist to IT to accountant.
What does an Airman in Air Force Health Services Management get paid?
An Airman in the Air Force Health Services Management position will receive the same base pay as any other individual with the same rank and time in service.
The base table for 2019 for the Air Force is below.
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | 2023 Minimum Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 +4 months | Airman Basic | AB | $1,917.60 | |
 | E-2 | Airman | Amn | $2,149.20 |
 | E-3 | Airman First Class | A1C | $2,259.90 |
 | E-4 | Senior Airman | SrA | $2,503.50 |
 | E-5 | Staff Sergeant | SSgt | $2,730.30 |
 | E-6 | Technical Sergeant | TSgt | $2,980.50 |
 | E-7 | Master Sergeant | MSgt | $3,445.80 |
 | E-8 | Senior Master Sergeant | SMSgt | $4,957.20 |
 | E-9 | Chief Master Sergeant | CMSgt | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Command Chief Master Sergeant | CCM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Chief Master Sergeant Of The Air Force | CMSAF | $6,055.50 |
Benefits
Something that people tend to consider a large perk is the benefits that are offered as an airman.
Benefits include everything from healthcare to education tuition assistance.
A lot of the benefits are offered free or significantly cheaper than civilian jobs.
Insurance
Healthcare is generally free or very low cost for the Air Force.
You also receive dental benefits and paid sick time.
The healthcare plan is very competitive and life insurance is offered at low-cost.
Housing and Food
For individuals who choose to live in on-base housing, living expenses utilities and maintenance are covered.
Individuals who live off the base will receive a housing allowance that is based off of their rank, family status and location.
Airman receive food allowances.
Single Airman can receive a meal account for the on-base dining facility that could allow them to eat up to 4 free meals a day.
There are tax-free department and grocery stores to assist with food expenses.
Retirement
The Air Force offers a very generous retirement plan.
Airman are eligible to retire after 20 years of service.
They can begin receiving benefits the same day the retire.
What makes this program so generous is that you are not required to make a payroll deduction towards the retirement plan.
You can however, take the option to put a little extra away with a Thrift Savings Plan.
Education
The Air Force is supportive of continuing your education.
Airman begin receiving credits the day they enter Basic Training and upon completion of technical training, Health Services Management specialist will have credits towards Health Care Management.
To complete your degree, the Air Force offers tuition assistance with the Air Force Tuition Assistance program, the Post 9/11 GI Bill or the Montgomery GI Bill.
With these assistance programs, you could end up having full coverage for college.
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Vacation
The Air Force offers 30 days of vacation with pay.
During vacation, airman can travel internationally or locally and are welcome to use open space on an Air Force aircraft to do so.
Recreation
Air Force bases have a lot of options for recreation.
Most locations will have golf courses, bowling alleys, tennis courts, and swimming pools.
Air Force bases also have social activities and youth programs.
Job Reviews
Air Force Health Services Management has one of the higher rated job satisfaction rates.
Individuals in this career field tend to be less stressed and happier.
When looking at reviews, the positive aspects people pointed out included the ability to gain valuable experience without any prior knowledge, camaraderie, and the ability to travel.
Negative aspects that people included about this job include changing jobs often and the long hours.
Here are a few reviews from people who currently or have previously held an Air Force Health Services Management position.
Civilian Job Opportunities
Because of the different areas that Health Services Management personnel complete, there is a variety of different areas that someone could go into.
The experience directly relates to hospital administrative positions including intake, discharge and billing.
The software experience would allow for a civilian job in IT or development.
Individuals in Health Services Management complete budgeting and billing.
Having the ability and experience to complete those tasks would allow for a civilian career in administration and accounting.
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Summary
Air Force Health Services Management are responsible for making sure the patients have the most efficient service before, during and after their stay.
It is the Health Services Management specialist responsibility to coordinate transport, intake and releasing of a patient.
They also take care of scheduling staff, scheduling meetings, budgeting, billing, software analysis, software security checks and paperwork accuracy.
Airman receive basic pay and benefits that would not be available in a civilian job.
Overall, individuals in this position are satisfied with their career choice and recommend the position.
After gaining the knowledge learned in an Air Force Health Services Management position, civilian career opportunities include, administration, accounting, development and IT.
References:
Air Force Health Services Management
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