The Office of Force Readiness Deployment (OFRD) requires officers wishing to deploy in a clinical role to have at least 80 clinical hours per year in that role. Short temporary duty (TDY) assignments at a clinical site can fulfill OFRD requirements. This page provides TDY assignment opportunities, suggestions for low rentals, and photographs of PHS officers at their TDY assignments.

Officers can arrange for a TDY assignment in several ways:

1. Sign up for the PHS Listserv (http://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=phs-pharmacists&A=1). TDYs are often sent out via this system. Officers can then contact a desired site to set up a TDY.
2. Officers can set up TDYs with non-profit organizations (i.e. Operation Smile, Doctors Without Borders, etc.) and possibly go abroad.
3. In both cases, Officers will first coordinate TDY assignments with their supervisor(s), as that agency continues to pay for the officer’s salary.
4. Review this site for potential TDY opportunities.

Additional Logistics:

The TDY site and the officer can set up arrangements for travel and housing. Travel funding and local housing may not be available.