PHS-CO looking for next assignment!

I have some questions about the PHS. Sorry I am very interested in getting some info but it is hard finding someone who is actually a member.

Is it truly easy to promote through the ranks? I heard promotion is faster in PHS. I am planning on getting my BSN and MSN within the next couple of years. Are there any sign on bonuses or student loan repayment that you are aware of? Overall do you like the service?

www.usphs.gov is where you can get some information. I will send you an email with loads of personal experience in the next day or two!

Thanks.

I was going to email the information but was unable to send emails. Not sure why. Anyway, I went to a university that recruited heavily for environmental health officers for the USPHS, however, I was going to school to be a nurse. In my last year, I opted to sign on as a Senior Costep. As a SRCOSTEP, I was paid an ensigns wage and given the same health benefits as someone who is working full time for the corps. I signed up to go to a very rural area in Arizona to work after I graduated and in return I was paid every month to go to school for 16 months.

There is this old idea that the Corps is an alternative personnel system to the traditional GS system for people working in federal positions; this is not true. We are expected to be on-call for deployments if needed by the federal government which now includes being able to pass a PT test. To get promoted above a LT, you must meet certain benchmarks for your career including going to graduate school. At this time, I am a LTJG and have met my benchmarks for my rank. We are also expected to pick up collateral duties such as community service, special projects at work, and so forth that we are not compensated for.

I do not think that we have the same attitude as the Armed Services Health professionals. The corps is transitioning and beginning to be more unified and have traditions. There are lots of ex armed forces people in the corps and some adjust to the change and others absolutely hate it.

There are actually many people in the Armed Services that do not even know about us. When I was deployed for Hurricane Ike and Gustav, there were lots of people at the USO who thought we were Navy. We do wear a khaki uniform but they had no clue. I usually just tell people I am in the Surgeon General's Corps.

So, it depends on what you are looking for. We get Tricare Insurance, same pay scale as the other services, basic housing allowance, and life insurance. We do not work on bases for the most part. We work with loads of civilians who don't get our uniforms, who don't understand us being deployed, and some who think we are a joke.

I am proud to be a corps officer and think we need more! I also do not fool myself into thinking we are the same as armed forces. Some of the ex Army nurses I have met I totally envy. The training and discipline they have is amazing.

The human resource support system is lagging. We have to find our own positions, do our own paperwork, follow up on all our paperwork---you are your own human resource manager for your career. Some days I love where I work but sometimes living 150 miles from nice places is tough.

If anyone has specific questions I will try to answer them!

Thanks.

Hi there. Thank you for posting, 3dog1cat, about your experiences. I am currently in line for the next 15-18 months to start the 20 month clinical training to get my BSN. I am quite interested in the USPHS but have yet to be able to speak to a recruiter.

My questions are specifically:

What are the differences between the JRCOSTEP and the SRCOSTEP programs? Since I haven't reached my clinical training yet (but am completing all prereqs this semester) when is the soonest I can apply?

Should I just call the people listed on the job site about the positions available in Alaska? There is no description, just a name and phone number. I am only a student now, but I'd like to know what's available, especially here, because I'd like to stay here if possible and know what I can expect by way of availability.

With grad school being a benchmark for promotion, how does that process unfold? Is that on your off time? Is that subsidized by the Corp at all or are you on your own with that? One of the draws of the Air Force is the educational support.

What were your deployments like?

Thank you for getting back to me when you get a chance. Also, I have a big family, 5 kids and husband, and am interested in the day to day life, hours worked weekly, etc.

Thanks again.

3dogs1cat,

Have you looked at Alaska? I'm currently a nurse stationed in Anchorage, and their Native hospital takes CO's. The name of the facility is Alaska Native Medical Center. Can you tell me a little about the application process? I'm considering getting out of the Air Force and coming to PHS, and want to get as much info as possible.

I have 11 months remaining at my current assignment and will be looking to move onto my next. Since we have to set up the interviews, fill out our own paperwork and coordinate our moves....I am starting now.

Does anyone know of places hiring or that are great to work at that use PHS-COs? I currently workin in Indian Health Service in a really rural area. Would like to be less rural and work with a strong nursing team that can help me to improve my skills since I was a new grad when I started here.

I have worked ER for 17 months and will have 29 months experience when I finish. I have ACLS, PALS, BLS, TNCC, ALSO, and several training under my belt for such a short time nursing always willing to learn more!

Thanks!

The Phoenix Indian Medical Center is an IHS Facility right within a large metropolitan area - Phoenix, weather is great during the winter - but a little hot during the summer:nuke: lots of commission corp officers here

Does anyone know if the Alaska Native Medical Center is accepting CO's right now? I am hearing that we have to serve the rural areas first before going to Anchorage?

Hello, I will be starting an accelerated nursing program in the jan that lasts 12 months. I am interested in the SrCostep? How long did it take to after you applied did you become commission. Did you receive tuition assistance?

I am also looking into getting into the PHS corps. But I am a mental health nurse and I am trying to get into a job on a base. Does anyone know what you have to do other than send your info to the recruiter. I have already been in the military and got out to go to school to get my BSN. What is it like to be in the PHS? Is there anyone in the mental health initative? Do you have any problems with respect from the active duty soldiers? Do you do anything in the field with the units that you are attached to?

I too would love to know more about Mental Health with the USPHS. The only thing I have been able to find out is that they want at least one year Mental Health experience. I have seen the list of bases in need of MH nurses, it is on their website.