# Presentation: 685257

## “Protecting, promoting, and advancing the health and safety

***“******Protecting, promoting, and advancing the health and safety***
***of the Nation”***

## Who are We?

- U.S. Public Health Service:
- Highly-trained and mobile health professionals
- The nation’s foremost health service
- A principle component of the Department of Health and Human Services

## Seven Uniformed Services of the U.S.

## Slide 4

## USPHS

- Part of Department of Health and Human Services
- Led by the Surgeon General
- Dual Personnel System
- 60,000 employees total
- 6,000 Commissioned Corps Officers

**Notes:**
Secretary Tommy Thompson

Surgeon General - Richard Carmona

## Steven K. Galson, MD, MPH

- Acting Surgeon General of
- the United States

## Mission

- To protect, promote, and advance the
- health and safety of the Nation through:
- rapid and effective response to public health needs
- leadership and excellence in public health practices
- advancement of public health science

##  Our Origins

-   1798 Creation of PHS to provide for care and relief of 		  sick and injured merchant seaman
-   1870 Reorganization to create a Marine Hospital Service
-   1889 Formalized by Congress as the Commissioned Corps
-   1912 Renamed Public Health Service because of broadening 	  responsibilities
-   1939 Became part of the Federal Security Agency
-   1980 Became part of the Department of Health and Human 	  Services

**Notes:**
Created in 1798, as Marine Hospital Service
Reorganized in 1870 along military lines
Established officially along military lines by Congress in 1889, with rank and pay similar to Navy
Renamed PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE in 1912
After 141 years in the Treasury Department, PHS became part of the Federal Security Agency in 1939.
This agency later became the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and in 1980 the Department of Health and Human Services

## PHS Seal

- Associated with the Greek god Mercury, used to symbolize trade or commerce (hence, PHS’ relationship with merchant seaman and maritime industry)

- Fouled Anchor = seaman in distress
- Caduceus (winged wand with 2 serpents intertwined)

## PHS Flag

- Evolved out of the quarantine flag used by the Service on quarantine vessels and stations
-  Blue and yellow colors of the PHS represent its roots in maritime and quarantine activities

## Where are we located?

- Almost anywhere and everywhere in the United States
- Whether you prefer
- 	urban or rural - or east west north or south - we have a location for you

## Duty Locations Coast to Coast

- Washington DC

- Arizona

- New Mexico

- South Dakota

- Washington

## Where do PHS Officers Work?

- CDR Mark McClain, Consumer Safety Officer
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Hartford, Connecticut

- CDR Mark McClain, CSO, Pharmacy Officer, FDA

**Notes:**
CDR Mark McClain, Consumer Safety Officer, Pharmacy Officer
U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Hartford, Connecticut

## Where do PHS Pharmacists Work?

- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
- Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
- Indian Health Service (IHS)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Program Support Center (PSC)
- Office of the Secretary (OS)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- United State Coast Guard (USCG)

## Indian Health Service

-  Principal Federal healthcare advocate    and provider for American Indians and Alaska Natives
-  Serves over 550 Federally recognized tribes in 35 States
-  Comprehensive healthcare services, including preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and environmental.
-  Most IHS facilities are west of the Mississippi
-  Northern Plains States
-  Southwest
-  Pacific Northwest
-  Alaska

**http://www.ihs.gov**

**Notes:**
The goal of the IHS is to ensure that comprehensive, culturally acceptable personal and public health services are available and accessible to all American Indian and Alaska Native people.

## 
Directs national health programs that improve the Nation's health
Assures equitable access to comprehensive, quality healthcare for all
Goals:
to improve and extend life for people living with HIV/AIDS
to provide primary healthcare to medically underserved people
to serve women and children through State programs
to train a health workforce that is both diverse and motivated to work in underserved communities

- Directs national health programs that improve the Nation's health
- Assures equitable access to comprehensive, quality healthcare for all
- Goals:
- to improve and extend life for people living with HIV/AIDS
- to provide primary healthcare to medically underserved people
- to serve women and children through State programs
- to train a health workforce that is both diverse and motivated to work in underserved communities

**Health Resources and Services Administration**

**http://www.hrsa.gov**

**Notes:**
The mission of the Health Resources and Services Administration is to improve and expand access to quality health care for all.

Their goal is moving toward 100 percent access to healthcare and 0 health disparities for all Americans.

HRSA assures the availability of quality health care to low income, uninsured, isolated, vulnerable and special needs populations and meets their unique health care needs.

##  Component of the Department of Homeland Security 

-  One of the seven Uniformed Services, and is the         smallest of the five armed services
-  Headquarters in Washington, DC
-  Opportunities throughout the US
-  New Jersey
-  New York
-  Florida
-  New Orleans
-  California
-  Alaska
-  Puerto Rico

- http://www.uscg.mil

**Notes:**
The United States Coast Guard is this nation's oldest and its premier maritime agency.  Its headquarters are located in Washington, DC.
The Public Health Service is charged with the responsibility to provide health care to the men and women of the United States Coast Guard.Various Coast Guard units are located throughout the United States.  Some of these include:
New Jersey, New York,  Florida,  New Orleans, California, Alaska and Puerto Rico

## FDA's responsibilities involve regulating: 

- FDA's responsibilities involve regulating:
- Food
- Cosmetics
- Medicines and medical devices
- Radiation-emitting products
- Feed and drugs for pets
- Biological products
- Blood Products
- Vaccines
- FDA monitors the manufacture, import,
-   transport, storage, and sale of about $1
-   trillion worth of products each year

- http://www.fda.gov

**Notes:**
FDA regulates $1 trillion worth of products a year.  
It assures the safety of all food except for meat, poultry and some egg products; ensures the safety and effectiveness of all drugs, biological products (including blood, vaccines, and tissues for transplantation), medical devices, and animal drugs and feed; and makes sure that cosmetics and medical and consumer products that emit radiation do no harm.

## To protect society by confining offenders in the controlled environments of prisons and community-based facilities that are safe, humane, appropriately secure, and which provide work and other self-improvement opportunities to assist offenders in becoming law-abiding citizens.  
Operates a system of Federal penitentiaries across the country
Settings range from small infirmaries to 500 bed tertiary care hospitals

- To protect society by confining offenders in the controlled environments of prisons and community-based facilities that are safe, humane, appropriately secure, and which provide work and other self-improvement opportunities to assist offenders in becoming law-abiding citizens.
- Operates a system of Federal penitentiaries across the country
- Settings range from small infirmaries to 500 bed tertiary care hospitals

- http://www.bop.gov

**Notes:**
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is the agency of the Department of Justice responsible for incarcerating federal felons. The BOP currently has 100 facilities in 40 states, with several more institutions under construction. 
Operates a system of Federal penitentiaries across the country
Settings range from small infirmaries to 500 bed tertiary care hospitals
Locations
Near major metropolitan areas such as San Diego and Chicago
Rural areas e.g. Olympic Compound at Lake Placid, NY. One of the most modern facilities is located in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

## Federal focal point for medical research in the U.S.
Comprised of 27 separate Institutes and Centers
75 buildings on more that 300 acres in Bethesda, MD
Mission: to uncover new knowledge that will lead to better health for everyone

- Federal focal point for medical research in the U.S.
- Comprised of 27 separate Institutes and Centers
- 75 buildings on more that 300 acres in Bethesda, MD
- Mission: to uncover new knowledge that will lead to better health for everyone

- http://www.nih.gov

**Notes:**
The NIH mission is to uncover new knowledge that will lead to better health for everyone. NIH works toward that mission by: 
	conducting research in its own laboratories;	
	supporting the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad;	
	helping in the training of research investigators; and	
	fostering communication of medical information.	
NIH is one of the agencies of the Public Health Services which, in turn, is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Comprised of 27 separate components, mainly Institutes and Centers, NIH has in excess of 75 buildings on more than 300 acres in Bethesda, Maryland. From a total of about $300 in 1887, NIH has been appropriated nearly $23.4 billion for 2002.

## Centers for Disease 

-  Conducts epidemiological research and
-    surveillance throughout the world
-  Employs researchers and scientists who conduct
-    research on disease, serve on multi-disciplinary
-    epidemic response teams, and provide assistance
-    in domestic or international crises
-  Sponsors scientists conducting field research and
-    assigns staff to state and local health departments

**Centers for Disease **
**Control and Prevention**

- http://www.cdc.gov

**Notes:**
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people - at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.In FY 2000, the workforce of CDC comprised approximately 8,500 FTE in 170 disciplines with a public health focus. Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, with Occupational Safety and Health research centers in Cincinnati, OH and Morgantown, WV, the CDC conducts epidemiological research and surveillance throughout the world. Areas of study include chronic and infectious diseases, occupational health and safety, health promotion and disease prevention, international health, health statistics, and environmental health. 
CDC’s: Conducts epidemiological research and surveillance throughout the worldEmploys researchers and scientists who conduct research on disease, serve on multi-disciplinary epidemic response teams, and provide assistance in domestic or international crises
Sponsors scientists conducting field research and assigns staff to state and local health departments

## Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

- Mission – to improve the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitative services in order to reduce illness, death, disability, and cost to society resulting from substance abuse and mental illnesses.
- SAMHSA includes three centers
- Center for Mental Health Services
- Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
- Centers work with States, communities, and private organizations

- http://www.samhsa.gov/

**Notes:**
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) was recently established in October, 1992 to strengthen the Nation's health care delivery system for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) was established in October 1992 to strengthen the Nation's health care capacity to provide prevention, diagnosis and treatment services for substance abuse and mental illnesses.
SAMHSA works in partnership with States, communities and private organizations to address the needs of people with substance abuse and mental illnesses as well as the community risk factors that contribute to these illnesses.

SAMHSA serves as the umbrella under which substance abuse and mental health service Centers are housed, including: the Center for Mental Health Services, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.

##        Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services

- Headquarters in Washington, DC
- Opportunities throughout the US
- New York
- Florida
- Texas
- Arizona
- California
- Puerto Rico

- http://www.uscis.gov

**Notes:**
The Division's relationship with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) dates back to 1891 when the Immigration Act authorized the Public Health Service to examine and quarantine aliens at Ellis Island. Since 1985, the INS Detention and Deportation (D&D) Program has had an interagency agreement with the Public Health Service to provide health care personnel to staff the INS Service Processing Center Medical Facilities, and other measures of health care support. 
INS Headquarters are located in Washington, DC.  In addition, there are numerous sites throughout the United States including, New York, Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and Puerto Rico.

## Mission: to assure health care security for beneficiaries 

Vision: to open our programs to full partnership with the entire health community to improve quality and efficiency in an evolving health care system. 

Goals: 
To provide access to quality care
To provide services to beneficiaries
To provide program administration to run CMS programs

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/aboutcms.asp

- Vision: to open our programs to full partnership with the entire health community to improve quality and efficiency in an evolving health care system.
- Goals:
- To provide access to quality care
- To provide services to beneficiaries
- To provide program administration to run CMS programs
- http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/aboutcms.asp

## Sample Pharmacist Billets

**FDA: Safety Evaluator**
- 	-Reviewing and evaluating pre-market proposed
-        proprietary drug and biological names and product
-        characteristics to determine the likelihood of confusion with
-        existing products in the marketplace.
- 	-Reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating the medication error reports
-        for pre-market and post-market drug and biological products which
-        are submitted to the FDA or cited in the scientific literature
- 	-Serving as a scientific advisor on adverse reactions associated
-        with drug and biological products and on the safety of drug and
-        biological products within FDA

## Sample Pharmacist Billets

**IHS: Assistant Chief Pharmacist (Inpatient)**
- 	-Serving as a Clinical Pharmacist for the ICU & Residency
-         Program Director at the Indian Health Service Phoenix
-         Indian Medical Center (PIMC)
- 	-Directing and coordinating clinical and distributive
-         pharmacy services at this 110-bed facility
- 	-Providing pharmacotherapy services and distributive pharmacy
-         services for ICU patients
- 	-Developing and implementing medication use policies
- 	-Developing and coordinating the ASHP accredited Pharmacy
-         Practice Residency Program at PIMC
- 	-Optimizing use of the pharmacy budget
- 	-Being an active member of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics
-         Committee

## Sample Pharmacist Billets

**HRSA: Branch Chief for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)**
- 	-Leading a team responsible for monitoring established
-       ADAPs to improve health care for individuals and families affected by HIV
-  	-Establishing ADAP priorities to respond to issues that impact planning
-       and delivery of HIV care services
- 	-Developing strategies for delivering care for HIV/AIDS
- 	-Guiding grantees to use the most cost-effective methods to
-        purchase medications
- 	-Assisting grantees in making formulary decisions
- 	-Preparing budget forecasting reports
- 	-Developing on-site program reviews of compliance with ADAP
-        mandates and regulations
- 	-Addressing medication distribution strategies in resource-poor countries

## Sample Pharmacist Billets

**NIH: Head of the Protocol and Information Office**
- 	-Coordination of the administrative portion of the
-      development and implementation of oncology
-      clinical trials to assure patient safety
- 	-Optimization of scientific objectives, regulatory
-      compliance, and efficient use of resources
- 	-Acting as a project manager to develop software to improve
-      the efficiency of oncology clinical trials at the NCI by
-      leveraging technology

## Sample Pharmacist Billets

- Learn more about pharmacist roles at:
- Pharmacists Learning
- and Networking Together (PLANT)
- http://www.hhs.gov/pharmacy/planttop2.html

## Why Should YOU Be a Part of   PHS Pharmacy?

## Benefits

- Quality of Practice
- Opportunities for Growth
- Make a Difference
- Quality of Life
- Perks
- Compensation

## Quality of Practice

- 	When asked why they became a pharmacist, over 80% of pharmacists answered
*“**to help people”*

## Quality of Practice

- 	Would you prefer a practice wherein you are included in the *decision process* with other professionals, helping to manage treatment, utilizing the patient's medical record, and counseling every patient about their drug therapy?
- 	How about practice settings where you and other providers sit down as a *team* and talk about your patient's drug therapy?
- 	Would you like to really *use* your education to help people and make a difference?

## Opportunities for Growth

- 	As a member of a _***single***_ organization that has pharmacists in every state, you are involved in patient care, new drug approval and monitoring, medical research, healthcare policy, and epidemiology.

## Opportunities for Growth

- You have opportunities to make an impact on the public health of this entire nation with only _***ONE***_ state license.

## Quality of Life

- 	Is it important for you to have _***time ***_ to spend with your family and friends, doing the things you enjoy?

## Quality of Life

***30*** days of annual leave
- may carry over 60 days per
- year) plus ***10*** federal
- holidays !
- Sick leave as
- medically necessary

## Quality of Life

- Diverse geographical locations

**Notes:**
Our organization allows you to pursue life in literally hundreds of locations - near the ocean, the mountains, the Grand Canyon, the Gulf Coast, or National Parks - from the largest cities to the smallest communities. 

## Quality of Life

- Different agencies/programs
- Benefits accompany officers when transferring agencies/programs

**Notes:**
opportunity to work in diverse geographical locations and for different agencies/programs
Benefits accompany officers when transferring agencies/programs

## Quality of Life

- Be prepared to enjoy a camaraderie and sense of common purpose unlike anything you have yet experienced.

**Notes:**
A team of United States Public Health Officers taking part in a training course.  All response team members must complete training modules on various aspects of disaster response.  Basic courses are offered on-line and some more advanced courses offer on-site training opportunities.   Several different professions make up response teams and training opportunities such as this emphasize the teamwork needed during relief efforts.

## Office of Force Readiness and Deployment (OFRD)–formerly CCRF

- PHS-1 Rapid Deployment Force (RDF)

## OFRD - Make a Difference

- Hurricanes – September 2004

- World Trade Center Attacks – Sept 2001

**Notes:**
Deployments to provide disaster and/or emergency assistance

## 2005 – A Record Year for OFRD Pharmacists

- In 2005, hurricanes ravaged many parts of the United States leaving thousands of people homeless and  in need of medical care.
- Nearly 400 US Public Health Service Pharmacists assisted with relief efforts for Hurricanes Dennis, Emily, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.

**Notes:**
Top picture: This clinic was set up in a civic center in Lake Charles, LA during the Hurricane Katrina/Rita deployments.  A corner table served as the pharmacy, and 2 chalkboards with tables behind them served as physician examining rooms. On the second floor of the civic center, there were hundreds of cots lined up where the evacuees were staying. Many of the evacuees that came to this clinic were homeless and indigent. In the picture, LCDR Jeff Newman (Team Leader) and LCDR Renu Chhabra (Pharmacist) are discussing the meds in the pharmacy. 

Bottom picture:  Several immunization teams worked with local Parish Health Departments throughout Louisiana to administer vaccinations to people displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Here a team of USPHS officers (CDR Ben Lane [BOP dentist], CDR Star Mazzarello [FDA nurse], LCDR Mark Roth [NIH physician], and LCDR Kristy Klinger [IHS Pharmacist]) are preparing immunizations for a shelter in Richmond, LA. Immunization against vaccine preventable illness is a public health priority for persons living in close quarters (such as relief shelters)

## OFRD Pharmacist Opportunities

- Vaccination Teams
- Temporary Hospitals
- Special Needs Shelters
- General Shelter Clinics
- Mobile Medical Clinics/Pharmacies
- Pharmacist assistance at disaster stricken hospitals

**Notes:**
Top picture:  LCDR Mark Roth administers a vaccine to a shelter resident in Farmerville, LA.  Hepatitis A, Flu, and Tetanus/diptheria shots were offered to all evacuees and shelter personnel.  Children behind on vaccine schedules were also offered DTaP, MMR, Hib, Hepatitis B, and Prevnar.  Evacuees in need of other immunizations were asked to report to the nearest Parish Health Department.

Bottom picture: This mobile medical clinic was set up in a parking lot on Rampart Road in New Orleans. Tents and tables in the parking lot served as nursing stations.  Patients that needed to be examined privately were taken into the bus. In this picture, CDR Beth Fritsch (Pharmacist) is counseling an evacuee outside of the makeshift mobile pharmacy we set up inside of a bus.   Many of the evacuees at this site were Spanish speaking.

## OFRD Pharmacist Opportunities

-     Incident Regional Coordination Team (formerly SERT)
- Operations, Planning, and Logistics
- Team Leaders and Incident Commanders
- Public Health Assessment and Inspection Teams
- Liaisons
- State Emergency Operations Center
- Homeland Security incident Management Group

**Notes:**
Top picture: November 2005 at the Secretaries Emergency Response Team in Baton Rouge, LA. Two pharmacists working together at the SERT. CDR Mark McClain (FDA Pharmacist, in BDU) was the Chief Pharmacist at Camp Phoenix in November 2005 and was responsible for directing pharmacy operations in the field. LCDR David Axt (IHS Pharmacist seated in the center looking at CDR McClain) worked at the SERT in logistics to help coordinate personnel movement and materials acquisition. Pharmacists had many roles working with pharmacists and other personnel. Also working in SERT logistics are LCDR Chris Buchanan (Environmental Officer, center foreground with his back to the camera), LT Darin Wiegers (Physician Assistant, far right of picture), and CAPT Palmer Orlandi (Scientist, behind LT Wiegers). 

Bottom picture: This picture was taken at the Lake Charles Clinic (see a previous slide for explanation). Team Leader LCDR Jeff Newman is going over the numbers for the day with his team.  All teams had to report to Central Command how many patients were being seen, types of illnesses, and a report on medication supply and restock needed.

## OFRD - Missions of the Past

- 2005
- - Hurricane Relief for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma
- 2004
- Hurricane Relief in Florida for Hurricanes Charlie, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne
- 2002
- Back fill for pharmacists at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD
- 2001
- Mass Medication Distribution for Anthrax Prophylaxis

**Notes:**
Top picture: Group deployed for Florida Hurricanes in 2004

Bottom picture: Ground Zero (WTC) 2001

## OFRD - Above and Beyond

- USPHS pharmacists have volunteered to serve overseas in assisting foreign Ministry of Health departments  to establish health care systems
- Thailand (2005)
- Iraq (2004)
- Haiti (2004)

**Notes:**
Top picture: CDR Alicia Mozzachio, PharmD FDA on a drug lab tour in Iraq. CDR Mozzachio volunteered to serve three months in Iraq in 2004. Her primary mission was to help the Iraqis revise the drug registration regulations for imported drug products. She also worked to ensure delivery of emergency drug shipments to Iraqi distribution warehouses. 

Bottom picture: CDR Mozzachio with new friends in Iraq.

## OFRD Helping those in need

**As part of something larger than yourself, you have unique opportunities to make a real difference in people’s lives. **

## Transformation of CC

- Goals:
- Increase CC ranks
- Increase the number of officers by 10 percent, to 6,600 members
- Streamline CC assignment and deployment process
- Improve response operations and team-oriented deployment process
- Increase CC ability to recruit the best and brightest to defend the nation's public health
- Change the recruitment process so that it includes stronger personal incentive programs and a better approach for assigning officers

## Transformation of CC

- OFRD – 4 tiered deployment response team:
**Tier One:** 	Five Rapid Deployment Force teams and ten Incident 			Regional Coordination Teams (formerly SERTs)
- expected to report to a point of departure within 12 hours of notification
**Tier Two:**	Five Applied Public Health Teams and five
- 			Mental Health teams
- expected to report to a point of departure within 36 hours of notification
**Tier Three **Every other active duty officer in the Commissioned Corps
- expected to report to a point of departure within 72 hours of notification
- deployment on a regular basis, either to augment Tier 1 or Tier 2 teams, or to provide specific requested skills when required
**Tier Four:** - officers in the Inactive Reserve Corps

## Perks

***Privileges***
- Moving expenses are paid by the government
- Commissioned officers may qualify for the G.I. Bill to supplement additional educational pursuits
- Officers may also qualify for housing loans through the Department of Veterans Affairs

## Compensation

- _Taxable_
- Base Pay
- Pharmacy Accession Bonus
- - Requires Contract of Service
- Pharmacy Special Pay
- _Non-Taxable_
- Housing Allowance
- Subsistence

## Compensation

**Please note that **
**Pharmacist Special Pays **
**are now in effect! **
- - Variable Special Pay for
-    Pharmacists
- - Board Certification Pay

## Compensation

- Good News for Recent Graduates!!
- The USPHS gives you an entire YEAR from
- your date of graduation to become licensed.
- In the meantime, you get FULLY PAID
- as a pharmacist!!

## Perks

***Retirement***
- After 20 years of active service:
- 	retired pay = 50% of average base pay during past 36 months
- Non-contributory retirement based on
-     20-30 year career
- For each additional year of service:
- 	retired pay multiplier increases by 2.5%

## Perks

- 	***Insurance***
- No-cost healthcare at
- Uniformed Services facilities
- (for you and your dependents)
*no payroll deduction*
*no deductibles or copays*

**Notes:**
Medical benefits are available to you and your dependents  with no payroll deduction, deductibles or co-pays for covered medical benefits if living within the catchment area of a military medical facility. 

## Perks

**	*****Insurance***
- Malpractice insurance is not
- necessary when practicing
- in a federal facility
- (coverage under the
- Federal Tort Claims Act)

## Perks

***Privileges***
- Access to Department of
- Defense benefits:
- Military bases
- Officer’s clubs
- Exchanges
- Guest housing
- Commissaries
- Space-Available travel

## Eligibility Criteria

- U.S. citizenship
- Less than 44 years of age
- Graduate of an accredited College or University in United States
- Less than 8 years of active duty in another uniformed service
*	**(**waivers *_*may*_* be considered for hard to fill *
*	**and isolated hardship sites )*
- Good health

## How to Get Started?

- Visit  http://www.usphs.gov
- Fill out an online application
- Pursue employment with any of the Commissioned Corps affiliated Agencies
- http://dcp.psc.gov/VATS/rept_select.htm
- http://www.usphs.gov/html/other_federal_jobs.html

## STUDENT OPPORTUNITIESCommissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (COSTEP)

**Notes:**
The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps offers two excellent opportunities for pharmacy students  throughout the academic year:

The Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP) and the Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP). 
Because both programs are highly competitive, it is recommended that students apply early.

## JR COSTEP Program

- Serve for periods ranging from 31 to 120 days
- No obligation to serve in the Commissioned Corps after graduation
- Credit given for JRCOSTEP time for pay and retirement purposes

**Notes:**
The JRCOSTEP program allows students to gain valuable professional experience with the Public Health Service early in their college education. 
Students serve in assignments throughout the country during their official school breaks for periods ranging from 31 to 120 days. 
Most students are hired for the summer months (June – August). 
Upon completing his/her professional education, the student may serve an extended active duty assignment with any of the agencies and/or programs that hire CC officers. 
Those students who go on to a career in the CC are credited for their JRCOSTEP time for pay and retirement purposes. 
JRCOSTEPS do not have an obligation to serve in the Commissioned Corps after graduation. 

## SR COSTEP Program

- Assists students financially during their final academic year in return for an agreement to work for the PHS Commissioned Corps after graduation for twice the time sponsored
- Assigned to the sponsoring agency upon graduation

**Notes:**
The SRCOSTEP program is designed to assist students financially during their final academic year of their qualifying degree in return for an agreement to work for the PHS Commissioned Corps after graduation for twice the time sponsored (i.e., an 18-month employment commitment for 9 months of financial support). 

Upon graduation, assignments are made to the sponsoring agency/program that provided the financial support. 

## COSTEP Benefits

- Basic pay (taxable)
- Ensign (pay grade O-1) officer
- Allowances (non-taxable)
- Housing Allowance
- Subsistence
- Prior service in a Uniformed Service will count towards years of service for pay

**Notes:**
Combining basic pay and allowances, a COSTEP can expect to earn approximately $2500 per month.

In addition, a COSTEP will also be given  certain costs of travel and transportation from the place from which called to active duty to the duty station and return. 

## Application Acceptance Dates

**Junior COSTEP**
- 1 June – 30 Sept (for positions during the following 1 Jan – 30 April)
- 1 Sept – 31 Dec (for positions during the following 1 May – 31 August)
- 1 Jan – 30 April (for positions during the following 1 Sept -31 Dec.)
- Applicants for JRCOSTEP who are currently in the next-to-last year of their professional education may also apply for SRCOSTEP. To apply for both programs, you may submit a single application packet.
**Senior COSTEP**
- Applications must be postmarked by 31 Dec. for applicant whose final year begins in the fall of the succeeding year
- Example: 12/31/2006 for students entering their last year of pharmacy school in September 2007

## Student Internships

- Food and Drug Administration
- http://www.fda.gov/cder/Offices/DDI/pharmstudent.htm
- Bureau of Prisons
- http://www.hhs.gov/pharmacy/bop/index.htm
- Indian Health Service
- http://www.pharmacy.ihs.gov/
- National Institutes of Health
- http://www.training.nih.gov/student

## Post-Graduate Opportunities

- Indian Health Service Residencies
- 	http://www.ihs.gov/medicalprograms/pharmacy/ resident/resprgm.asp
- National Institutes of Health
- 	http://clinicalcenter.nih.gov/phar/resident/
- Ambulatory Fellowship (2 years)
- Pharmacokinetics Fellowship (2 slots)
- Oncology Specialty Residency

## Ask any USPHS Pharmacist what we think of our career, and we will tell you that we made the right choice! 

You can, too!

_***You can, too!***_

## PHS Hall of Fame

- Look at our careers after we left the PHS!

*CAPT James Minor*
***Gilead Pharmaceuticals***

*RADM Richard Bertin*
***Executive Director of the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties***

*RADM Fred Paavola*
***Commander of AZ-1 DMAT***

*CAPT Jerry Phillips*
***Drug Safety Institute***

*CAPT Gordon Johnston*
***VP Regulatory Affairs at GPhA***

*CAPT Bill Boyce*
***Oregon State University Director***

*Lucinda Maine*
***Executive VP of AACP***

*RADM Jerry Halperin*
***Food, Drug, and Law Institute, President and CEO***

**Notes:**
Rear Admiral (Ret.) Fred G. Paavola held numerous leadership positions throughout his career. His career culminated when he was appointed as the Chief Pharmacist Officer and Assistant Surgeon General for the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) on June 1, 1996. He also held collateral duties as Chief of Peer Review during this time. He retired with over 30 years of service.  He currently serves as the Commander of Arizona One Disaster Medical Assistance Team and is a member of Region IX National Pharmacist Response Team and the Pharmacy Task Force Metropolitan Medical Response System. He is also the Officials Coordinator for Arizona Swimming. 
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CAPT Jim Minor (Ret.) currently works in Medical Communications at Gilead Sciences. He was a Clinical Pharmacist for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Intramural AIDS Research Program from 1981-1996. He has had 7 years of experience in Pharma Industry. He has worked in the Commercial Analysis Division of GlaxoSmithKline where he was the Manager of Competitive Intelligence in support of HIV and sepsis product areas. Dr. Minor is well published in primary pharmaceutical and medical literature in allergy, immunology and infectious diseases. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rear Admiral (Ret.) Richard Bertin is Executive Director of the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS). He has held this position since February 1997, when he retired from the United States Public Health Service after a long career in a variety of clinical and administrative positions.  While in the Public Health Service, he served as Chief Professional Officer (as an Assistant Surgeon General at the grade of Rear Admiral) as well as in the National Institute of Mental Health, the Bureau of Medical Services, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Office of the Surgeon General, and the Food and Drug Administration. His responsibilities ranged from clinical pharmacy practice to advising the Surgeon General, the
Assistant Secretary for Health, and other Federal and non-Federal leaders on national pharmacy issues. As the Board’s first Executive Director, RADM Bertin is responsible for the overall management and growth of the BPS specialty certification program. In his present position, he works with several national membership organizations and educational institutions on a wide variety of credentialing activities across the pharmacy profession.
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Gordon Johnston is Vice President of Regulatory Affairs of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association. In this role, he serves as the primary industry spokesperson on regulatory matters that impact the generic drug industry. Johnston has more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, beginning with the U.S. Public Health Service, where he served in a number of pharmacist and health care management positions. In 1987, he was assigned to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and in 1994, was promoted to be Deputy Director of the FDA’s Office of Generic Drugs (OGD). Johnston was a key member of the FDA team that developed and put into practice the regulations implementing the Hatch-Waxman amendments.
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Former CAPT Bill Boyce joined Oregon State University (OSU) in 1998 as the Director of Pharmacy Services, OSU Student Health Services, after 21 years of clinical pharmacy practice with the Indian Health Service (IHS). During his time with the IHS, Bill was recognized for outstanding accomplishments. He received United States Public Health Service Surgeon General Exemplary Service Medal in 1992, ASHP Fellow in 1994, and the RHO CHI Society Julius W. Sturmer Memorial Lecture Award from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science Award in 1998. Bill was the developer of the Pharmacist-Patient Consultation Program which was supported by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.
At OSU, Bill represents the College of Pharmacy on the following committees: Leadership Team at Student Health Services; Academic & Professional Standards Committee, College of Pharmacy; and Human Subjects Committee.
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CAPT Jerry Phillips was Associate Director in FDA’s Office of Drug Safety, and is now working at the Drug Safety Institute, impacting public health by minimizing medication errors.

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RADM Jerry Halperin is currently working at the Food Drug and Law Institute, and was the former Executive director for USP after leaving FDA.
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Lucinda L. Maine, Ph.D., is the American Associations of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Executive Vice President. 
She is also a former Junior CoSTEP.

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