JRCOSTEP allows students to gain valuable professional experience with the PHS early in their education. They serve in assignments throughout the country during their official school breaks for periods from 31 to 120 days. Most, however, are hired for the summer months (June, July, August). Upon completing his/her professional education, the student may serve an extended active-duty assignment with any of the Agencies/Operating Divisions (OPDIVs)/Programs that accept PHS commissioned officers for assignments. Those who go on to a career in the PHS Commissioned Corps are credited for their JRCOSTEP time for pay and retirement purposes. JRCOSTEPS do not have an obligation to serve in the PHS Commissioned Corps after graduation.
Where do JRCOSTEP participants work?
JRCOSTEP participants work in the eight OPDIVs that comprise the health agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality;
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry;
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
- Food and Drug Administration;
- Health Resources and Services Administration;
- Indian Health Service;
- National Institutes of Health; and
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
As well as other OPDIVs within HHS including:
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services;
- Office of Public Health and Science; and
- Program Support Center.
Participants also work in other Federal Agencies that include the following:
- Federal Bureau of Prisons;
- Environmental Protection Agency;
- Department of Homeland Security:
- Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
- U. S. Marshals Service;
- National Park Service;
- U. S. Department of Agriculture.
Click here to learn more about the different agencies/programs and the liaisons for each.
What are the entry requirements?
To be eligible for JRCOSTEP, an applicant must:
- Have completed at least 1 year of study in medical, dental, or veterinary school; or at least 2 years of study in a professionally-accredited baccalaureate program in one of the following disciplines: dietetics, engineering, medical record administration, physician assistant training; nursing, pharmacy, sanitary science, computer science, dental hygiene, medical laboratory technology, or therapy (e.g., occupational, physical, speech-language pathology or audiology); or be enrolled in a masters degree or doctoral program in a health-related field; (For further information about the acceptable commissionable degrees, click the Category for your profession listed on the www.usphs.gov home page);
- Return to college or to a post-graduate training program in a commissionable profession immediately following participation in JRCOSTEP;
- Be enrolled full time in a program of study accredited by an acceptable accrediting body (for further information about the acceptable accrediting bodies, click the Category for your profession listed on the www.usphs.gov home page);
- Be free of any obligation or responsibility that would conflict with appointment to call to active duty in the PHS Commissioned Corps, such as membership in or a service obligation to another Uniformed Service (an Indian Health Service scholarship obligation is an exception to this); and
- Qualify for appointment in the PHS Commissioned Corps. The applicant must:
- Be a
- Be under 44 years of age by the time he/she is eligible for call to active duty as a general-duty officer; and
- Meet the medical requirements.
How much will I earn?
JRCOSTEP participants receive the basic pay (taxable) and allowances (non-taxable) of an Ensign (pay grade O-1) officer which is approximately $2,500 per month, plus certain costs of travel and transportation from the place from which called to active duty to the duty station and return. As with all officers, prior service in a Uniformed Service will count toward years of service for pay. For further information on pay interpretation, refer to the Pay and Grades, Titles, and Billets sections under the Benefits tab on the www.usphs.gov home page.
What benefits will I have?
JRCOSTEP participants are entitled to some, but not all, of the rights, benefits, and privileges accorded to PHS commissioned officers serving on extended active duty. Healthcare is restricted to emergencies and space-available care at a military/medical treatment facility (MTF). Space available (Space-A) flights on military aircraft are not authorized. JRCOSTEP officers are also not required to wear the PHS uniform unless directed to do so by the Director, Division of Commissioned Personnel, in which case a uniform allowance of $250 will be paid to the JRCOSTEP. Annual leave (vacation) is accumulated at the rate of 1 day for each 12 consecutive days of active duty and all annual leave must be used during the JRCOSTEP’s active-duty tour or be forfeited. Sick leave is authorized as needed. In addition, once JRCOSTEPs complete their tour, they become an inactive reserve member and, as such, continue to accrue credit towards their base pay. For additional information, please refer to the Pay; Benefits; and Uniforms and Awards sections of the www.usphs.gov web site.
How do I apply?
You may download
a complete application packet or you may call and request an application
from the Recruitment and Assignment Branch, Division of Commissioned Personnel,
at (800) 279-1605 during working hours (
Application Acceptance Dates are as follows:
June 1 - September 30 for positions during the following January 1 - April 30;
September 1 - December 31 for positions during the following May 1 - August 31*
*NOTICE OF DEADLINE
EXTENSION: The
deadline for receipt of JRCOSTEP application materials has been extended to
-
Application for Appointment (form PHS-50)
-
Request for References (form PHS-1813, 3
are required)
-
Transcripts
-
Report of Medical History (form DD-2807-1)
-
Appointment Affadavit Form (form PHS-
5141-1)
January 1 - April 30 for positions during the following September 1 - December 31.
Some flexibility may be allowed.
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; just check both boxes in item 6.
TESTIMONIALS
FROM JRCOSTEPS
"My duty as a JRCOSTEP was at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in
Bethesda,
Dr. Lawrence also encouraged me to make best use of my time by taking advantage of the numerous opportunities available to me at NIH. I observed and assisted with necropsies performed in the VRP pathology department. I attended weekly pathology slide conferences issued by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. I also attended training seminars on biohazard handling and laboratory animal handling and manipulations. Through the JRCOSTEP program I was able to assist in the publication of a biweekly newsletter. Also, through the program I was able to tour a number of facilities associated with the Public Health Service."
Nicole Beblo
4th year student at
"For my JRCOSTEP assignment, I traveled 1,900 miles to dry, sunny
At La Tuna, I worked in the pharmacy under the direction of Sheila Veikune. The pharmacy is in the hospital portion of the prison and it is similar to a "caged" room. Only the tech and Sheila had keys to the pharmacy.
I had several projects to do: One on diabetes where I interviewed inmates (not alone of course!) about their understanding of their disease states and then I presented my findings to the medical staff. I also completed a project on Lassa Fever and presented that to the medical staff. I did several self-study projects including one on tuberculosis and one on drugs of choice for infections.
During my time there I also helped fill prescriptions. While I was there they received a new computer system that was windows based, so I got to learn how wonderful it is to fill scripts on that system! I also greatly improved my patient counseling skills. Sheila feels that all the inmates should be counseled--whether or not their prescription is a refill. Also, since many of the inmates are Spanish speaking, I not only counseled in English but Spanish as well.
Overall, I had a wonderful experience. With the help of my Mom and a
wonderful church congregation in
I also met many great contacts and great friends as well. The facility also
had 2 dental PHS COSTEPS that I grew quite close to. We even took a long weekend
and drove 9 hours to
The thing I miss most about
"My experience with the Indian Health Service has been outstanding. I have learned how much more the pharmacist is informed and involved in the care of the patients we serve. As we are preparing prescriptions for our patients, we have their charts so that we can understand completely both the current problems and the history of the patients. We know the details of an acute problem and the progression of a chronic one. This changes our entire perspective relative to that of other pharmacy practices. We are able to make informed recommendations to the physicians about drug selection and dosing. We can also order labs, such as liver function tests, to properly monitor the patient and make recommendations as to the appropriateness of continuation of the chronic therapy.
There is a comprehensive protocol and standing orders system here as well. It allows pharmacists to prescribe medications for patients with specific disease states such as allergic rhinitis, strep throat, and many others. The pharmacists routinely check blood pressure, and every patient is counseled on every medication - new or refill by a pharmacist or pharmacy student. The pharmacy is much more clinical and there is a significant amount of patient contact here.
Another wonderful thing about being here in Warm Springs is the opportunity to learn about the rich culture of the native people here. They are very open and eager to share that culture. They encourage anyone who is interested to take part in their pow-wow and other activities. Since moving onto the reservation, I have felt welcomed by nearly everyone I have met. I have had the opportunity to attend church services here on the reservation as well. They sing some of the traditional Christian songs that I grew up with in a native tongue, which is special to hear.
I have also had the opportunity to meet several IHS pharmacists. One thing I've noticed about them is that they are satisfied with their jobs. After working here, I understand why."
If you have any Recruitment or Application questions, please email phs@psc.gov or call
1-800-279-1605 or 301-594-3360.
If you are an active duty officer and have questions not related to recruitment, please visit the DCP telephone directory to identify an appropriate point of contact.