USPHS

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Hi,

Are there any USPHS commissioned officers who can share their experiences working in IHS facilities?

What is it like living in rural areas? Please share your stories with me because I am interested in joining USPHS upon graduation (finishing up my BSN and will be done in May).

Thank you :)

I'm going in December, bummer.

Ryan

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@ chesrae...I am battling between BOP and DIHS. When you applied at BOP, did they allow you to visit the site before giving them an ok to process the application and schedule an interview?

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@BSN317 and rcjohnis...what agency where you accepted? how long was the process? what is the shift expectation for a new CC officer? where you able to request a tour of the facility before going through an interview?

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Specializes in Family Med, Mental Health, Public Health.

Charming46:

I am accepted to DoD with the Mental Health Initiative. Yes, I completed a tour of the facility during my interview- not beforehand though. Of course, it is always up to you; you can accept or decline any offers as you please. My process was kind of long, I stalled on the application before I really got serious. its been about a year since I first applied. But if you are proactive and do the steps as youre supposed to then it can take a few months or so. It also depends on how quickly you can get accepted for a position- thats when the ball really starts rolling. Shifts depend on your agency youre working with. My agency does 12s, whereas my first job offer was with DIHS, and that supervisor let the nurses make their own shifts. (ex. 4 10 hour shifts, or 3 12 hour shifts and a 4) or whatever they wanted. I liked that aspect, but I was turned off from DIHS at this particular facility because protocol didnt state that an officer HAD to be present during assessments. And most often, they werent. So I wasnt comfortable with that.

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Specializes in Psych, Med Surg, ER.

Well, I'm currently working on my application to the Mental Health Initative. I have my cover letter, application, dd214, college transcripts, 3 out of 4 recomendations collected and completed. I am currently working on my resume. I thought I would send all of them at one time to help expedite the process. Have anyone heard whats it like at OBC? I mean I already have been through basic training in the Army but that was over 10 years ago. I spent about 4 years in the army as a medic and been a nurse for about 4 years. I thought that this would be a great opportunity for me and my family. Does anyone have any experience having a family while in the USPHS? When you were accepted into the PHS, how soon did they tell you what your rank was? Did you have any idea what rank you were going in as? I'm currently working at the VA on an acute psych ward also. Thanks for all your help.

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Specializes in Family Med, Mental Health, Public Health.

According to my CAM, OBC is basically about learning the traditions, processes, etc of the Corp. Viper, if you already have military experience OBC will be a cakewalk for you, especially since you have gone through Basic. From what I hear, there is a physical component, but it is by no means "intense" Its only a 2 week course and lot of it is classroom instruction. There are even courses we need to complete beforehand to get the training ribbon. (I got this from the packet they emailed to prepare for the course). They will tell you what your rank is according to your experience, which they will get from your application and resume. The lowest for a nurse is an 0-2. I knew I would be an 0-2 because I only have like a 1 1/2 years of experience, so you can expect to be higher than I am. Hope that helps!

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Specializes in Psych, Med Surg, ER.

Thanks for all your help. What area of the usphs are you going into? Where did you locate your uniforms? Do you have any other information to help prepare for the long road to get the paperwork going? When did you find out your rank?

Thanks.

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@BSN317......possible DIHS job, how was the interview process?

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Specializes in Psych, Med Surg, ER.

I was wndering if anyone else used a specific CV style or just typed a resume??? I am getting very confused. I want to be in the USPHS so I want to get the paperwork correct. This is the only thing that I have to finish to send in my packet. Also did anyone use KSA's to set up their cv or resume? If so, where did you find them? Thanks.

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Specializes in flight, critical care, ER.

Hi Viper,

I just used a template available online through Microsoft for my resume. I don't think they look for any particular style. I have a job offer, just waiting on the security clearance. Another thing, you are going to have to send in additional "stuff" so you will be in contact with your recruiter off and on until you get an offer. Good luck!

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Specializes in Family Med, Mental Health, Public Health.

@charming...

The interview process was relatively laid back and straightforward. My resume was forwarded to the facility and the Health Servce Adminstrator contacted me via phone and email for an interview. After going through security, etc I met with the HSA and she gave a me a tour of the facility. After the tour, we did an interview 1 on 1 but it was really laid back. It was a good experience, I just didnt like the particular protocols of the facility- which can vary according to the agency that operates the facility (FYI). After that, she sent her notes, etc to whomever and they contacted me and offered the position but I had decided to go with DoD instead.

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I just came back from Glynco BOP training. What an experience... I hope everyone's doing well with their PHS jobs.

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