COMPUTER SCIENTISTS

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The U.S. Public Health Service offers a wide variety of challenging assignments for specialists in the field of computer science. In 1988, the computer scientist officially became a separate subspecialty in the Commissioned Corps Health Services category. This action was based on a recognized need for highly trained and qualified computer scientists to accomplish the mission of the Public Health Service.

Opportunities for computer scientists range from clinical research to program management. Within the PHS are two of the largest computer facilities in the Federal Government. Computer Scientists in PHS work with some of the finest, most modern equipment in the world and influence the way that equipment is used in health care administration and research.

As officers in the PHS Commissioned Corps or as Civil Service employees, computer scientists earn a competitive salary and Federal benefits, and can choose assignments, geographic locations, or agencies without losing their PHS tenure.

Student Programs

Third- and fourth-year students with a declared computer science major can gain paid, professional experience through COSTEP, the Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program. COSTEP students are commissioned as ensigns in the Public Health Service and work for 31 - 120 days in a setting where they gain hands-on experience. In addition, all time between the initial COSTEP assignment and eventual full-time service is credited toward the officer's initial salary level, and active duty time counts toward retirement.

AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES

Program Support Center

The Division of Commissioned Personnel, within the Program Support Center of the Department of Health and Human Services, is responsible for the management of nearly 6,000 active-duty and 3,000 retired Commissioned Corps officers of the Public Health Service. Automated computer systems play a major role in handling this administrative task by providing the computer support for the Commissioned Corps personnel and payroll systems.

Indian Health Service (IHS)

The Indian Health Service provides comprehensive care to American Indians and Alaskan Natives in hospitals, health centers, and clinics nationwide. Computer scientists are needed to support program management and clinical care. IHS has multi-user integrated clinical/administrative computer systems at all facilities. IHS also maintains regional technical support offices, as well as several software development centers.

Most IHS facilities are west of the Mississippi in unspoiled areas of natural beauty - including the Northern Plains States, the Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, and Alaska.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

The Health Resources and Services Administration is responsible for financing the delivery of comprehensive primary and preventive health care to underserved and vulnerable populations, and for providing direct patient care at Coast Guard, and Immigration and Naturalization Service and Federal Bureau of Prison facilities. Computer Support is widely used in managing and tracking various projects within HRSA.

Positions are available nationwide, with the greatest need in the Washington, DC, area.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The Food and Drug Administration is a regulatory agency of the Federal Government engaged in actions that ensure basic safeguards for consumers, e.g., 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 with a background in computer science are used throughout the FDA, such as building large databases, monitoring clinical trials, evaluating new products, and tracking research projects.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The NIH consists of 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. Located at the NIH complex in Bethesda, MD, the Clinical Center is a 540 bed research hospital and laboratory facility. The Clinical Center has a state-of-the-art, hospital-wide computerized medical information system. Also located in Bethesda is the Center for Information Technology, which is one of the largest computer facilities in the Nation.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is located in Atlanta, GA, and is charged with protecting the public health of the Nation by providing leadership and direction in epidemiology and the prevention and control of diseases. Computer scientists serve in several of the agency sub-groups to support personnel and program management, statistical analysis, and epidemiological surveillance.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

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.  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. 

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

As the Federal Government's primary focus for health services research, AHRQ has assumed and broadened the responsibilities of its predecessor, the National Center for Health Services Research and Health Care Technology Assessment. The mission of AHRQ is to enhance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health care services and to improve access to these services. Computer scientists serve in several of the agency subgroups to support personnel and program management, statistical analysis, and epidemiological surveillance.

For an application and more information about PHS career opportunities contact the PHS Recruitment Program at 1-800-279-1605.