PHYSICIAN OPPORTUNITIES AT CDC/ATSDR

Physicians play a critical role in ensuring that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) meet the public health challenges of the future. They administer, supervise, or perform professional and scientific work in a variety of medical fields, including; preventive medicine, maternal and child health, occupational health, environmental health, public health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, vaccine/immunization, chronic and sexually transmitted diseases.  They collaborate with national and international organizations to conduct scientific investigations and provide specialized services  for the control of infectious and other disease-related conditions. In addition, our physicians often collaborate with the Department of State, the World Health Organization and other agencies to carry out public health programs in foreign countries.

Salary is determined by the position for which an applicant is qualified and selected. Physicians are hired as "Medical Officers" under the General Schedule (GS) pay plan, typically in grades ranging from GS-13 (from $66,344/year) thru GS-15 (to $102,180/year). However, by adding some of the following special pay incentives, total annual compensation may reach $200,000.

PHYSICIANS COMPARABILITY ALLOWANCE (PCA)

Physicians Comparability Allowance (PCA) is a special allowance authorized to enhance the recruitment and retention of physicians to fill Federal Medical Officer positions. It is authorized on a case-by-case basis to solve severe recruitment and retention problems if a position has been so designated.   Under current approved guidelines, the maximum PCA authorized is $20,000 per year above the approved salary. The actual amount is based on several variables, including the General Schedule (GS) grade, "Category" (e.g., clinical, research, occupational health), length of contract signed and the length of creditable service as a Federal physician.

PHYSICIAN SPECIAL PAY (PSP)

In addition to their approved salary, physicians may be eligible for special pay. The actual amount of special pay is based upon a variety of factors, including full-time status, length of federal service, board certifications, and responsibility level. Some physicians are offered additional amounts of special pay for certain specialties based on recruitment and retention conditions in a scarce medical specialty.

RECRUITMENT BONUS

When recruiting for positions that are difficult to fill, selecting officials may recommend the use of a recruitment bonus. Recruitment bonuses are a one-time, lump-sum payment of up to 25 percent of the candidate's basic pay (before other pay such as locality pay is added). A service agreement of at least one year will be required if a recruitment bonus is authorized.