Pharmacy Program Career Opportunities

Pharmacists carrying out the mission of the PHS are employed in one of two career personnel systems--the civil service system or the PHS Commissioned Corps. The system an individual enters depends upon a number of factors--the type of assignment, the needs of the program in which the assignment is located, and the pharmacist's personal interest and desires, training and experience. Both systems offer attractive working conditions and benefits. PHS Commissioned Corps Appointment Standards: The candidate must be a U.S. citizen, under 44 years of age, have earned a qualifying pharmacy degree from an accredited program, and must meet medical, suitability and licensure requirements. Assignments: An officer is subject to assignment wherever needed throughout the PHS. Pharmacists are generally given a choice of available openings. Promotion: Promotion eligibility in the PHS Commissioned Corps is based on education, experience, and length of time in service, and/or grade. Officers who are eligible for promotion are considered annually by a specially constituted promotion board of pharmacists. Training: Training opportunities are offered based on the needs of the program to which the officer is assigned. Salary: Salary, grade and benefits correspond with the officer members of other Uniformed Services. Salary is comprised of two elements--basic pay (taxable) and allowances for quarters and subsistence (tax-free). Basic pay is determined by pay grade and accumulated years of creditable service in any of the Uniformed Services. A basic feature of the PHS Commissioned Corps is its rank-in-officer concept, under which officers are compensated according to their grade. Leave: 30 calendar days of annual leave earned at the rate of 2-1/2 days each calendar month. A maximum of 60 days may be carried over from year to year. Sick leave is granted as needed as there is no sick leave accrued under the PHS Commissioned Corps system. Instead, sick leave is granted when the officer needs health care services or is incapacitated by sickness, injury, pregnancy or confinement. Benefits: Non-contributory retirement based on a 20 to 30 year career (see below) Social Security coverage No cost health care at Uniformed Service facilities. For dependents, health care is provided, at no cost, on a "space available" basis at Uniformed Service facilities. For dependents (only), there is a cost-share medical program known as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) whereby the patient may see a physician of their choice. Serviceman's Group Life Insurance (up to $400,000 coverage) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, such as survivor and disability benefits, burial allowance, home loans, educational program, etc. Use of Base/Post commissaries, exchanges, officers clubs, etc. Separation: Officers leaving the PHS Commissioned Corps under honorable conditions are eligible for benefits administered by the VA. Retirement: The retirement system for PHS Commissioned Corps officers is non- contributory, with benefits calculated on base salary and length of service, The system is structured on the basis of a 30-year career; maximum retirement pay (75 percent of base pay) is obtained at 30 years of service. However, officers who have completed 20 years of service are eligible for retirement under certain conditions, including the proviso that their departure from the Corps will not adversely affect health programs. Retirement pay at 20 years of service is 40 percent of base pay. For each year of active duty above 20 years, retirement pay increases 3 and 1/2 percent to the maximum of 75 percent for 30 years of service. Active-duty service in another Uniformed Service is creditable toward PHS retirement. Civil Service Appointment Standards: The candidate must be a U.S. citizen, have earned a qualifying pharmacy degree from an accredited program, and meet suitability and licensure requirements. Promotion: Promotion eligibility in the Civil Service personnel system is based on the education, experience, and length of time in service, and/or grade. Salary: Salary (grade) is based upon the individual job. Leave: 13, 20 or 26 days vacation, depending on years of service. A maximum of 30 days can be carried over from year to year. 13 days sick leave, cumulative indefinitely. Benefits: Choice of medical and dental plans from traditional fee-for-service plans to prepaid HMOs. Employee costs and benefits vary with the plan chosen. Benefits are provided to employees and dependents on a cost sharing basis. Retirement: Joint contributory retirement based upon a 30-year career and a minimum age of 55-62 years, depending on employee's date of birth. Three-tiered plan consists of Social Security benefits (monthly payroll deductions from salary), a Basic Benefit Plan, and a tax-deferred Savings Plan. Retired pay after 30 years is 30% of the average of the high 3 years of basic pay. Benefits from the Savings Plan depend upon the rate of return and employee contributions/Federal match. To receive information or an application (SF-171) contact PSC Personnel at: Call: (301) 443-6900 Write: PSC Personnel 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 17-48 Rockville, MD 20857

For more information, contact: CDR Scott Giberson

Please e-mail questions and comments to devvrat.patel@fda.hhs.gov