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The Indian Health Service (IHS) is the U.S. Public Health Service Agency responsible for providing health services to approximately 1.5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to more than 557 federally recognized tribes in 35 states. Presently, IHS and tribally managed programs operate in over 230 hospitals and ambulatory clinics. This task is complicated by the broad cultural, economic and geographic diversity of the groups served. As a result, health programs must be individually designed to address the needs of each community.
The IHS has a number of exciting and fulfilling positions for both new graduates and pharmacists with prior work experience. Pharmacists in IHS practice pharmacy in a program where
For additional information and a listing of current jobs openings and contacts, please go to the Current Vacancies section of this web site.
IHS residencies offer an excellent opportunity to learn how to be a pharmacist while serving in a progressive practice setting helping to improve the healthcare of Native Americans. Residents enjoy learning in a multidisciplinary and friendly team environment. All IHS residencies are ASHP accredited. For additional information about the IHS Pharmacist Residency Program, including a list of current sites, contacts and the application process, please go to the Residencies section of this website.
The IHS offers three excellent opportunities for students throughout the academic year through the Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP), Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP) and Senior Year Externship Rotations. All of these programs are highly competitive.
JRCOSTEP allows students to gain valuable professional experience with the IHS 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, and August). Upon completing his/her professional education, the student may serve an extended active-duty assignment with any of the agencies/programs that hire commissioned officers. Those who go on to a career in the Commissioned Corps 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. Go to the Division of Commissioned Personnel's web site at http://www.usphs.gov/student/jrcostep.aspx for additional information about JRCOSTEP.
The SRCOSTEP program is designed to assist 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 (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. Go to the Division of Commissioned Personnel's web site at http://www.usphs.gov/student/srcostep.aspx for additional information about SRCOSTEP.
IHS has senior year externship rotation agreements with many of the schools of pharmacy. Students interested in externship assignments should contact their school externship/rotation coordinator. If the school does not have an agreement with the desired program, or to try another location, have the rotation coordinator contact the IHS Pharmacy Program via e-mail at IHSpharmacy@hqe.ihs.gov.
A list of IHS sites currently accepting rotational externship students may be found on our Current Vacancies page. Look for the Student Externships link under the Current Opportunities section.
| Questions? Contact CAPT Chris Watson at chris.watson@ihs.gov or at (301) 443-4330 |
