**[2008 IHS Dental Externship Application Check List]{.underline}**

***PLEASE READ PART I AND II COMPLETELY BEFORE BEGINNING THE TASKS IN
THIS DOCUMENT. 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 4, 2007. Externships with
travel assistance through this program can begin as early as April 1,
2008 and travel must be completed by September 30, 2008.***

**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, 2008. 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, 2007. Applications will be accepted
starting October 4, 2007.]{.underline}**

**[PART I: Please follow the instructions below to apply for a 2008 IHS
Externship (Please complete the check list items in the order you see
them below)]{.underline}**

**\_\_\_ Download the "2008 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 Resume in Microsoft Word, label, and save the
document using your first and last name as follows:
FirstLastExternResume (example: TimLozonExternResume). Along with the
usual attributes of a resume, it must also include your Country of
citizenship and your current cumulative Dental School GPA prominently
displayed on the first page in the heading.**

**\_\_\_ Complete the Intent Questionaire , label, and save the document
using your first and last name as follows : FirstLastExternIntent
(example: TimLozonExternIntent)Labeling it this way allows for rapid
upload into your electronic profile and easier for the preceptor to
locate the document. The Questionnaire should identify why you are
interested in an IHS Externship Opportunity, the window of dates you are
available (2 week minimum) in a range from April 1, 2008 to September
30, 2008, 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.**

**\_\_\_ To upload the intent questionnaire and resume and create an
electronic profile that we can share with all preceptors, visit
[www.dentist.ihs.gov](http://www.dentist.ihs.gov/) and click on "Request
Info for Full Time Jobs". Fill 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" in the specialty section (\*\*Checking this is very
important---when preceptor searches the database for Externs with a
graduation year in 2009---if you did not toggle this on---then your
application will not be listed for them to consider\*\*). This creates
an electronic profile for Indian Health Service to store all electronic
documents for your externship application. (Our Preceptors that are
seeking externs use the electronic data base to find a list of current
extern applicants when they are ready to select (Selections can begin as
early as October and can run as late as March). When you submit the
request for information it will prompt you to "Browse" for your Resume
and any other documents. Please be prepared at this step to send the
electronic "MICROSOFT WORD" file of your Intent Questionnaire and Resume
you prepared already in the steps above. If you do not upload your Cover
Letter and Resume at this step, then you may e-mail it to
<DentalJobs@ihs.gov> (DO NOT CREATE ANOTHER PROFILE IN THE SYSTEM IF YOU
MISS THE BROWSE AND UPLOAD STEP\--JUST E-MAIL AS ATTACHMENTS BEFORE THE
DEADLINE TO <DentalJobs@ihs.gov> ). Either way, you will receive an
e-mail reply from Drs. Lozon, Van Pelt, or Schaeffer\-\--and it may
simply say "Thanks"---that is just to let you know it was received---if
there is a problem with it---they will write more than just "THANKS" and
instruct you what needs attention.**

**\_\_\_ As part of this application you must read the 2008 Indian
Health Service Externship Travel Information Sheet NOW and revisit them
when a site selects you. You will acknowledge completion of this
requirement by answering yes to this question in the Intent
Questionnaire.**

**\_\_\_ When a site selects you, immediately send an e-mail to
<Timothy.Lozon@ihs.gov> with your name, name of preceptor, site that
selected you, and tentative dates of the externship.**

**If there is something in these instructions that is not
understood---then please send your question to <Timothy.Lozon@ihs.gov>
.**

**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 externship application
materials from Part I will put you in the running for externships with
travel support from Indian Health Service. Make sure Question #6 in the
Intent Questionnaire 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/applynow/> 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}*.**

-   **Print an additional copy for IHS. For security measures IHS asks
    that you delete or obscure the first 5 digits of your SS# on that
    copy. Then SCAN that copy and e-mail it as an attachment to
    <DentalJobs@ihs.gov> and place the following in the subject line
    (First Name, Last Name, JR.COSTEP Form 50)**

-   **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 the address to Dr. Tim Lozon; IHS HQ
    DOH; 801 Thompson Avenue #335; Rockville, MD 20852. Instruct the
    refernces to make a copy of the 1813 and place the original in an
    envelope to OCCO and the photocopy in the envelope addressed to Dr.
    Tim Lozon. I will also accept the IHS copy for Dr. Lozon from your
    reference if they wish to scan it and e-mail it to me at
    <DentalJobs@ihs.gov> . OCCO will only accept the mailed copy---sorry
    they don't offer a scanning option.**

-   **Please keep in mind that the official application for Jr. COSTEP
    goes to OCCO\-\-\--the steps you are following on this Part II is
    only for IHS to let preceptors know you applied for the Jr.
    COSTEP.**

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