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**Choose your Lifestyle**

Physician Assistants who choose a community oriented practice focused on
the health care problems of American Indians and Alaska Natives provide
a tremendous service. In doing so, over 100 IHS PAs not only serve an
appreciative community with rich traditions to share, they also
participate in an integrated and collegial health care system with other
highly qualified professionals. This multi-disciplinary team environment
at work combined with opportunities for an adventurous outdoor lifestyle
and the opportunity to serve in-need and appreciative patients, is the
hallmark of a Physician Assistants career with IHS Public Health
Professions.

**Choose to Serve**

While IHS medical practice is focused most directly on primary care and
family practice for the communities we serve, our care is comprehensive.
As a result, there is ample opportunity- and pressing need- for
physician assistants in wide range of specializations, including but not
limited to the following areas:

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In addition, some physician assistants serve in leadership positions,
such as Chief Clinical Consultant and advocate for system-wide
improvements and innovations. Others take responsibility for oversight
of practice-based research into delivery of care to American Indians and
Alaska Native people, with major focus on improving the overall status
of community health and health care systems. There are also specialized
programs for women's health, and child health, diabetes, elder care, and
behavioral health programs that combine services for mental/social
services with alcoholism and substance abuse services.

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**Choose Your Career Path and Benefits- 3 options**

Physician Assistants who enter IHS as **Federal Civil Service
employees** can expect a comprehensive package of compensation and
benefits that includes:

• Competitive starting salary and
benefits![](media/image5.wmf){width="2.417361111111111in"
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• 13 days paid vacation to start

• 10 paid Federal holidays

• Annual continuing education (available at all sites

with varied cost reimbursement)

• 13 days sick leave initially

• Comprehensive retirement program

• Comprehensive health care

• No-cost malpractice coverage

• No overhead expenses

• IHS Loan Repayment Program (based on eligibility

requirements and funding)

• Eligibility for transfer after 2 years

• Thrift savings (contributory) retirement plan with government match

Physician Assistants who enter IHS through the **US Public Health
Service** Commissioned Corps may receive:

• 30 days paid vacation

• Sick leave as needed

• IHS Loan Repayment Program (based on eligibility requirements and
funding)

• Tax-free housing allowance

• Space-available flights on military aircraft and military benefits

• Non-contributory retirement and health care

• Up to 5 years of retirement credit transferable to employment with
Commissioned Corps

**Direct hire** by any of some 560 Federally recognized American Indian
or Alaska Native Tribes

is another possible entry point for a career in medicine with IHS.
Openings may be available

in both urban and rural Tribal areas, and employment compensation and
benefits are

negotiated directly with the Tribal employer.

**Choose IHS**

Whichever career path you select, exciting and rewarding careers are
available in many locations throughout the areas we serve. Whether you
are a graduating student seeking a meaningful start to your career, or
an experienced mid-career PA looking for a change of pace, you can find
it as an IHS Public Health Professional. You will be entering an outward
directed practice, focused on an appreciative community that recognizes
the vital needs you are filling in their lives. Most of all, you will be
working with dedicated, like-minded colleagues who have also chosen a
path of direct community service that brings with it opportunity,
adventure, and purpose.

**For more information about career opportunities with:**

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**visit: [www.careers.ihs.gov](http://www.careers.ihs.gov/) (search
under "other" for Indian Health Service)**

**or <http://commcorps.shs.net/default.aspx> (for Public Health
Service)**