AVAILABLE ASSIGNMENTS/AGENCIES

Indian Health Service (IHS) http://www.ihs.gov

The IHS delivers care to American Indians and Alaskan Natives through over 235 hospitals, clinics and health centers. HSOs are an integral part of this delivery system, administering programs, addressing environmental health issues, and providing primary patient care and health education. Most IHS facilities are west of the Mississippi in areas of great natural beauty - including the Northern Plains States, the Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, and Alaska.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) http://www.hrsa.gov

HRSA has responsibility for general health services and resources related to access, equity, quality, and cost of care. HRSA employees administer health care programs in agency headquarters located in Rockville, MD.

HRSA includes three bureaus. The Bureau of Primary Health Care directs resources and personnel to increase access to comprehensive primary and preventive health care to underserved and vulnerable populations by placing health service professionals in community and migrant centers. The Bureau of Maternal and Child Health and Resources Development awards funds to states and special groups for maternal/child health promotion. The Bureau of Health Professions monitors the training, supply, conduct, and distribution of health professionals.

Bureau of Prisons (BOP) http://www.bop.gov

The BOP, an agency of the Department of Justice, is responsible for the custody of individuals sentenced for federal crimes. Health care in BOP facilities is provided by PHS health professionals. HSOs currently employed in BOP include physician assistants, health care administrators, medical technologists, dental hygienists, and optometrists.

The BOP operates a system of Federal penitentiaries across the country, the health care settings of which range from small infirmaries to 500 bed tertiary care hospitals. Many facilities are progressive in design and near major metropolitan areas such as San Diego and Chicago. Others, such as the former Olympic Compound at Lake Placid, NY, are in rural areas.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) http://www.fda.gov

The FDA is a regulatory agency of the Federal Government engaged in actions that ensure basic safeguards for consumers, i.e., that foods are safe and wholesome, that prescription and non-prescription drugs are safe and effective for their labeled uses, that medical devices are safe, and that radiation from electronic products does not pose a consumer hazard. HSOs serve in the research and testing of foods, complaint review, consumer education, computer facilities, and administration. FDA is headquartered in Rockville, MD and has regional offices throughout the country.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov

Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, with Occupational Safety and Health research centers in Cincinnati, OH and Morgantown, WV, the CDC conducts epidemiological research and surveillance throughout the world. Areas of study include chronic and infectious diseases, occupational health and safety, health promotion and disease prevention, international health, health statistics, and environmental health. CDC employs researchers and scientists to conduct research on disease, serve on multi-disciplinary epidemic response teams, and provide assistance in a domestic or international crisis. CDC also sponsors scientists conducting field research and assigns staff to state and local health departments.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) http://www.nih.gov

The NIH is a research agency whose mission is "science in the pursuit of knowledge to improve human health." HSOs are employed in research, clinical, and administrative capacities throughout the NIH. The NIH comprises distinct Institutes, Divisions, and Centers which conduct research on a variety of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and AIDS. It also maintains a large clinical research facility (the Clinical Center) and the National Library of Medicine. Most NIH employees are located in Bethesda or Rockville, MD; however, there are also research programs located in Frederick and Baltimore, MD, and in Research Triangle Park, NC.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) http://www.cms.gov

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. CMS runs the Medicare program, Medicaid program, and State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) - three national health care programs that benefit over 80 million Americans.  HSOs are employed in administrative capacities throughout CMS.  CMS, with the Departments of Labor and Treasury, helps millions of Americans and small companies get and keep health insurance coverage, and helps eliminate discrimination based on health status for people buying health insurance.  CMS is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, but has regional offices throughout the country. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) http://www.samhsa.gov

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) was recently established in October, 1992 to strengthen the Nation's health care delivery system for prevention and treatment for substance abuse and mental illnesses. HSO's provide program management, specialty consultation and administrative leadership in mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention areas. SAMHSA includes three centers--the Center for Mental Health Services, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, all working with States, communities, consumers and families nationwide. SAMHSA is located in Rockville, Maryland.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) http://www.epa.gov

The EPA administers Federal environmental laws including the Clean Air, the Clean Water, the Toxic Substance Control, and the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Acts. HSOs in EPA are involved in implementing conservation and protection laws as well as monitoring air, soil, and water conditions and conducting research. The agency has three major research and development laboratories in Research Triangle Park, NC, Cincinnati, OH, and Las Vegas, NV, and other smaller research laboratories throughout the country.

Other Assignments

HSOs are also assigned to other Federal agencies such as the Immigration and Naturalization Service (http://www.ins.gov) and the U.S. Coast Guard (http://www.uscg.mil). Special assignments for senior officers are also available with the Agency for International Development, the State Department, and other organizations.

PHS Health Services Officers make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans - while building challenging health careers. To learn more, call the PHS Recruitment Program at 1-800-279-1605.