The Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service: Great Opportunities in Health Physics! CAPT Daniel D. Sprau, DrPH Environmental Health Sciences Program Department of Health Education and Promotion College of Health and Human Performance East Carolina University NC Chapter Health Physics Society WWW.USPHS.GOV New Bern, North Carolina March 12-13th, 2009
USPHS History 1798 - Marine Hospital Service established. 1889 - PHS Commissioned Corps officially established by Congress, with rank and pay similar to Navy. 1912 - Renamed Public Health Service. 1939 - Transferred from the Treasury Department to the Federal Security Agency (now known as the Department of Health and Human Services)
USPHS Commissioned Corps Mission Protecting, promoting and advancing the health and safety of the Nation
USPHS Commissioned Corps One of the Seven Uniformed Services Executive Branch Department of Health and Human Services Department of Defense Army Navy Marine Corps Air Force Public Health Service Department of Homeland Security Department of Commerce Coast Guard National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
U. S. Public Health Service Part of Department of Health and Human Services Secretary? Surgeon General? Dual Personnel System - includes civil servants and Corps Officers Approx. 60,000 employees combined Close to 6,000 Commissioned Officers
The Surgeon General
HHS Operating Divisions Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
HHS Operating Divisions Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Indian Health Service (IHS) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Non-HHS Agencies who hire officers Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) Division of Immigration Health Services (DIHS) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Park Service (NPS) U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID) U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U. S. Marshals Service (USMS) Department of Defense (DOD)
What about Health Physicists?
Regular and Reserve Corps Regular Corps: Active Duty Retired Reserve Corps: Extended Active Duty Inactive Reserves Retired
Inactive Reserves Short Tour: Up to 120 consecutive days and limited to 240 days/year Intermittent Tour: 100 days/year Extended Not to Exceed: 1-3 years Permissive TDY: Non paid
Professional Categories Physician Nurse Dentist Pharmacist
Professional Categories (contd.) Veterinarian Engineer Scientist Environmental Health Officer Therapist Dietitian Health Services Officer
Eligibility Criteria U. S. citizenship < 44 years of age (can be offset by up to 8 years of prior uniformed service) Qualifying degree from an approved accredited institution < 8 years prior service (active duty) Medically and physically fit
Pay and Benefits Pay scale based on rank and time in service Some categories have additional special pay Non-taxable housing and subsistence allowances 30 days of paid leave per year (2.5 days per month) Sick leave granted as needed (with no preset limit) Non-contributory retirement (based on a 20-30 year career)
Pay and Benefits (contd.) Serviceman s Group Life Insurance for officer and spouse Comprehensive healthcare (medical and dental) to keep an officer fit for duty Medical care for family VA benefits (survivor and disability benefits, burial allowance, home loans, educational program, etc.)
Pay and Benefits (contd.) Military Base/Post privileges (commissary, exchange, officer s club, etc.) Space available (Space-A) travel on U. S. military aircraft to numerous locations throughout the world Europe, HI, AK, Caribbean, Asia
Student Opportunities Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (COSTEP) Junior (receive approximately $2,500 per month; 30-120 day short tours and no post Corps obligation) Senior (receive approximately $2,500 per month during final year of qualifying degree and 2 for 1 payback of days sponsored) See www.usphs.gov for details and deadlines
How to Get Started? It is a dual process to become an officer in the USPHS. This process differs greatly from the other uniformed services. The USPHS grants a Commission, whereas government programs offer opportunities for employment. A Commission cannot be granted to an individual until employment is offered and accepted
How to Get Started? Meet eligibility requirements for the Corps Begin Commissioned Corps application process by going to www.usphs.gov Start pursuing employment with any of the Commissioned Corps affiliated Agencies Once a job offer is made by the Agency, the Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (OCCO) will coordinate a Call to Active Duty date and issue personnel orders.
Job Search http://dcp.psc.gov/vats/rept_select.htm (recommended site) http://www.usphs.gov/html/other_federal_jobs. html (alternate) We recommend that individuals start the Commissioned Corps application process and the job search with government programs simultaneously.
QUESTIONS? WWW.USPHS.GOV 1-800-279-1605