**[2007 IHS Dental Externship Application Check List]{.underline}**

***Everyone must complete Part I. Those that also want to be considered
for a JRCOSTEP opportunity must complete Part I and II. Applications
will be accepted starting October 1, 2006. Externships with travel
assistance through this program can begin as early as April 2007 and
travel must be completed by September 30, 2007.***

**If you wish to be considered for any Indian Health Service Division of
Oral Health Externship opportunity, then you must at the very minimum
complete the check list items in Part I before February 28, 2007. You
are strongly encouraged to not wait until the last minute to apply,
because some sites will start selections immediately upon receiving
viable applicants in the electronic system that we use to share your
documents nationwide. [For applicants that want to be considered for a
JRCOSTEP opportunity, you must complete the additional steps below in
Part II prior to December 31, 2006. Applications will be accepted
starting October 1, 2006.]{.underline}**

**[PART I: Please follow the instructions below to apply for a 2007 IHS
Externship (Please complete the check list items in the order you see
them below)]{.underline}**

**\_\_\_ Download the "2007 IHS Dental Externship Application Check
List" found under the "Externships" link at
[www.dentist.ihs.gov](http://www.dentist.ihs.gov/) on the left side
navigation list. The check list is the main set of instructions for
applying for an IHS Externship (If you are reading this, then it looks
like you found the instructions just fine).**

**\_\_\_ Prepare a Cover Letter of Intent in Microsoft Word , label, and
save the document using your first and last name as follows :
FirstLastExternCL. Labeling it this way allows for rapid upload into
your electronic profile and easier for the preceptor to locate the
document. The Cover Letter of Intent should state why you are interested
in an IHS Externship Opportunity, the window of dates you are available
(2 week minimum) in fiscal year 2007 (US Government fiscal year 2007
ends 9-30-2007), and any geographic preference you may have. Keep in
mind that flexibility in geographic placement is a desirable quality
that will maximize the number of sites that will show interest in your
application. Be sure to download the Example Cover Letter of Intent to
see what preceptors want to know about you.**

**\_\_\_ Prepare a Resume in Microsoft Word, label, and save the
document using your first and last name as follows:
FirstLastExternResume. Along with the usual attributes of a resume, it
must also include your Country of citizenship and your current
cumulative Dental School GPA.**

**\_\_\_ Create an electronic profile at
[www.dentist.ihs.gov](http://www.dentist.ihs.gov/) by clicking on
"Request Info for Full Time Jobs" and filling out the online form that
is labeled "Request Information". You will find toggle boxes under the
"Specialties" section of the request form\-\--Please check
"Extern/Volunteer" and "General Dentist" in the specialty section). This
creates an electronic profile for Indian Health Service to store all
electronic documents for your externship application. (Our sites that
are seeking externs use the electronic data base to find a list of
current extern applicants---VERY IMPORTANT-if you do not check the
"Extern/Volunteer" toggle in the specialty section, then your name and
application materials will not show up on their list when they search
the data base). Please be prepared at this step to send the electronic
"MICROSOFT WORD" file of your Cover Letter of Intent and Resume you
prepared already in the steps above (the system allows you to browse and
upload those documents at this step). If you do not upload your Cover
Letter and Resume at this step, then you may e-mail it to
<DentalJobs@ihs.gov>**

**[PART I: CONTINUED]{.underline}**

**later (see next check list item). No matter which method you send the
CL and Resume to IHS, you will receive an acknowledgement e-mail that it
was received in a timely fashion. (It could be a simple reply saying
"Thanks" to let you know it was received).**

**\_\_\_ If you submitted your Cover Letter of Intent and Resume as
instructed in the check list item directly above this one and received
confirmation within a few days that it was received, then disregard this
check list item. This check list item is only for those that did not
submit the Cover Letter of Intent and Resume as requested in the check
list item right above. If you did not upload your Cover Letter of Intent
and Resume when you set up your electronic profile at the "Request
Information for Full Time Opportunities" link, then please send it as an
attachment to <DentalJobs@ihs.gov> . You will receive a timely reply
that it was received. Do not go back to "Request Information on Full
Time Opportunities" as that will inadvertently create a duplicate
profile.**

**\_\_\_ Read the 2007 Indian Health Service Externship Travel
Information Sheet and revisit them when a site selects you (which can be
several weeks after you initially read the Info Sheet) and prior to
making your Invitational Travel Request (ITR)\-\--it will save you time
of editing a rejected ITR if the initial ITR fails to follow these
rules. Upon completing this step you must Send an e-mail to
<DentalJobs@ihs.gov> from your school or personal e-mail account with
the following pasted and edited in the e-mail:**

***Subject: 2007 IHS Travel Rules Read and Understood***

***Text: I (state your name) from (state your school) have read and
understand the 2007 IHS Externship Travel Information Sheet. I agree
that only travel authorized in advance can be considered for a post
travel reimbursement. I also understand that this program does not
provide advance cash for travel.***

**Certainly, if there is something that is not understood---then please
send your question to <DentalJobs@ihs.gov>.**

**\_\_\_ This year you will not be routinely asked to complete these
reference check sheets. So, only do this step if the site that selects
you requires you to do so. They will be available for you online in the
event that one of the few sites that might ask for it, requires you to
complete them. Upon selecting you, the preceptor at that IHS site may
ask you to download 3-4 copies of the [IHS Extern Reference Check
(available as a download at the "Externship" link at]{.underline}
[www.dentist.ihs.gov](http://www.dentist.ihs.gov/) . Give all 3-4 to
clinical instructors along with an envelope labeled with your name and
school and the following statement: "[Dear Dr. (State their name) please
complete and sign this Reference Check document and place it in this
envelope, and place your signature over the seal and return it to me
(the student)."]{.underline} You should then send all 3-4 RCs in one
envelope directly to the preceptor per their instructions.**

**Read on a little bit further to see if you have completed all the
steps you need to accomplish to be considered for an externship
opportunity. If you do not wish to be considered for a JRCOSTEP
Opportunity (need to have a minimum of 31 consecutive days available),
then you may stop here.....otherwise....Go On to complete Part II on the
next pages to apply concurrently for a JRCOSTEP externship opportunity.
If you are not selected for JRCOSTEP, then the application materials
from Part I will put you in the running for externships with travel
support from Indian Health Service. Make sure your cover letter of
intent reflects that your primary desire is JRCOSTEP....... But also
write that you have flexibility to go on an externship with travel
support if a JRCOSTEP is not offered.**

**[PART II: JRCOSTEP Application Instructions]{.underline}**

**\_\_\_ Go to <http://www.usphs.gov/html/costep_app.html> download the
current Office of Commissioned Corps (Form 50-download or fillable
version)) application/Instructions and Reference Forms (Form
1813-download 4 of them-or use the fillable version). The Form 50 is the
application used for COSTEP and General Duty (job application). During
completion of the Form 50 I would suggest you check the JRCOSTEP box and
the SRCOSTEP box. You can read more about the SRCOSTEP as only a few of
you may show interest in that program (it is similar to a scholarship in
your 4^th^ year with a 2 for 1 payback---BOP uses this quite a
bit\-\--so if IHS does not offer it---BOP may call you to offer the
SRCOSTEP). By checking it now, it does not commit you to a SRCOSTEP---it
just puts the application forth for consideration in the event you
choose to pursue a SRCOSTEP.**

**\_\_\_ Now that you downloaded the application instructions for
JRCOSTEP along with the Form 50 and the 1813's, please follow the
instructions the Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (OCCO) provides
at that link.**

***[However, in addition to OCCO's instructions I need you to follow
another step for me]{.underline}*.**

-   **Make an additional copy of the Form 50 application for me.**

-   **When you give the 1813's to your 4 References, provide them with 2
    envelopes. One with the address for the Office of Commissioned Corps
    Operations (OCCO) and one with your name on it and instruct them to
    make a copy of the 1813 and place the original in an envelope to
    OCCO and the photocopy in the envelope addressed to you and ask them
    to seal that envelope and sign over the seal on that envelope and
    return that envelope to you. I am asking you to gather these 4
    references for me and mail it to me as one packet so that I scan
    them for you all at once---and it also let's you know whether the
    references completed the task you asked of them.**

-   **Please mail the 4 envelopes with the photocopies of the 1813s and
    a copy of the 5 page Form 50 OCCO Application for JRCOSTEP in one
    large envelope to:**

**Indian Health Service HQ**

**Attention: Dr. Tim Lozon**

**801 Thompson Avenue Suite 335**

**Rockville, MD 20852**

**If you have any questions regarding the application, then please write
to <DentalJobs@ihs.gov>**