Opinions on a USPHS/BOP offer

[HLReed]

Hey Everyone,

 

I was hoping for some different perspectives or opinions on a job offer. I am currently in my didactic year of PA school and have received an offer from the US Public Health Service Commisioned Corps (or more accurately, from the Federal Bureau of Prisons) to participate in the SR COSTEP Program.

 

 

 

Briefly, the program involves being commissioned as an officer in the USPHS Commissioned Corps during the last 12 months of PA school in return for a 24 month commitment to my sponsoring agency (the BOP). In school, I would recieve all the benefits of being a commissioned officer (pay and bennies equal to an O-1 in the military branches). This year would also count as accrued time towards promotion and retirement. (More details here http://www.usphs.gov/student/ )

 

Upon graduation, I would be promoted to an O-2 and report for duty at my selected station. (I would have previously spoken to wardens and made a short-list of preferred sites). After two years of service, my obligation would be up, but I could choose to stay with the BOP or transfer to another agency within the USPHS system.

 

For those of you who don't know, the USPHS CC also responds to disasters and public health needs, both foreign and domestic, as well as serving high-need communities such as Indian reservations and prisons. (more details here http://www.usphs.gov/aboutus/questions.aspx#whatis )

 

So, what do you think? How does a first job in corrections sound? I have read threads about working in corrections, but how about in the context of the rest of the offer? Feel free to compare to civilian new-grad jobs, other military opportunities, or other civil service.

 

Thanks!

[okccj]

I was a JRCOSTEP in my grad program and have extensive knowledge of the USPHS. It is a great career if you don't mind possibly having to move. I would say that moving is the only drawback to the USPHS. If that is not a factor to you then I would definitely make a career of it. Great benefits (free healthcare for you and your family, retire at 20 years with 50% of yearly salary or at 30 years with 75% of yearly salary for the rest of your life!!). If you like moving around, you will definitely have that opportunity, plus they pay for the cost of your moves. In addition to being a PA the USPHS will give you the opportunity to be on a deployment team, which can really breakup the daily grind. You will probably be required to wear a uniform everyday, and adhere to basic military appearance guidelines. Overall, I would highly recommend the USPHS as long as you don't mind moving. If you have any more questions, please ask.

[HLReed]

Thanks so much for the response. I don't mind moving at all. There isn't much keeping me in one place. I actually look forward to having a job that enables me to see different regions of the country.

 

If you don't mind me asking, where did you do your JRCOSTEP and where are you now?

 

Thanks a ton!

[okccj]

I'm from the Oklahoma City area and my COSTEP was in Oklahoma City with the Indian Health Service. I can't say it enough, the Commissioned Corps is a great!! (as long as you don't mind the move) If you have any other questions feel free to ask me.

[Acebecker]

The only thing I have to offer (and this is not first hand experience but the explanation of the prisons' medical system by several PAs who've worked there for years) is that working in corrections as a medical provider is more about learning how NOT to practice medicine. By that I mean that the budgets are tight and medical providers have to look for every way they can to avoid ordering a test or performing a procedure that costs money. They used to be able to provide consults for things like new glasses which they are no longer able to do given current budgets. At least, that's the way it is in our state - I assume this is a fairly global problem given the widespread budget shortfalls.

 

The other thing that a classmate of mine mentioned is that all the prisoners have nothing to lose by presenting to the infirmary for every small ailment - for some it is the only thing that breaks up the monotony of life in a cell, so they complain of something nearly every day on sick call. It's true that some people in the outside world abuse the system this way, too, but in the prison system it is very common.

 

This is just input that I share so you will know the perspective of those PAs who have taught me along the way. Hope it's helpful.

 

Andrew

[emfdj]

I'm sure each prison is different but in the BOP where I work, visits to specialty practices, CTs, MRIs, surgery,etc have to be approved either by the local Utilization Review Committee or sent up to the Region. Things that are medically necessary are approved. If there is a question about necessity, they may suggest something else or flat out disapprove it. For example, MRI's are rarely approved. Someone with cancer or renal failure gets everything approved. We have the optometrist come in twice a month. The inmates can get free (ugly) glasses or choose from a limited number of frames for a price. Budget cuts haven't affected this-- yet.

 

Where I work the inmates are charged $2.00 per visit to Health Services, which is a lot of money to someone who makes 12 cents an hour. I have some who come frequently, but like Acebecker said, you'll get that anywhere.

 

I know I'll have to make an adjustment when I get back to the outside world. I just intervewed for a per diem job and we compared the way we prescribe medications. I use generics for practically everything and that practice uses the latest and greatest so they don't get sued if the medication is ineffective.

[HLReed]

Thanks for all your help, emfdj.

 

I was considering trying to get a part time 2nd job to stay current with private medicine. So is this allowed and/or do-able with the BOP? (I asked the USPHS and they said it is at the discretion of the BOP.)

 

Any other thoughts on the ability to work in other areas of medicine after starting in the BOP?

 

Thanks again.

[emfdj]

You need to get permission from the BOP to get a second job. I asked my manager about it and he said its usually not a problem unless I wanted to work for one of our contract specialists. Then it could be perceived as a conflict of interest in that I might refer to that practice more than I would otherwise. One PA I work with does admission physicals to a mental health hospital and another PA and a nurse work in the local ER. I work 4 10 hours days from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. so there is plenty of time to work someplace else.

 

I'm concerned about where I'll work after the BOP too. I'm hoping that getting a per diem job will make it easier to transition into private medicine afterwards. I don't want to have my experience limited to incarcerated males only!

[foley08]

Hey all, trying to resurrect this thread to get some more info on the USPHS and BOP jobs. There is a BOP site near where I live which I found through the National Health Service Corps website. I've contacted them preliminarily and got basic information back about applying as either a civilian or USPHS. My question is if one goes the USPHS route do I get to choose where I work or can I be placed anywhere? Also, on the USPHS website, in regards to moving, it says:

 

"There are no specific requirements about the frequency of moves that an officer must make during his/her career. Mobility is important for promotion but it is not required on a specific schedule."

 

Any help would be much appreciated.

[haeriphos]

Hey all, trying to resurrect this thread to get some more info on the USPHS and BOP jobs. There is a BOP site near where I live which I found through the National Health Service Corps website. I've contacted them preliminarily and got basic information back about applying as either a civilian or USPHS. My question is if one goes the USPHS route do I get to choose where I work or can I be placed anywhere? Also, on the USPHS website, in regards to moving, it says:

 

"There are no specific requirements about the frequency of moves that an officer must make during his/her career. Mobility is important for promotion but it is not required on a specific schedule."

 

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

I've done quite a bit of USPHS research and will likely apply for SRCOSTEP soon. With the USPHS, the commissioning and the job are two separate processes. Basically, you submit a packet for your commissioning and, after you're approved, you find an eligible job. This can be somewhere you're already working as a civilian or a different site. It's your job to get hired to the site and after that happens your commission goes through and you're a commissioned officer.

 

You are not required to move for the USPHS unless the job you're currently in is eliminated. However, it sounds like if you want to make promotion beyond junior officer grades you'll need to move around a little bit.

 

Hope this information helps you out.

 

~H

[foley08]

SRCOSTEP sounds great, wish I had looked into that more when I was a student.

 

So, I'm also trying to figure out this salary stuff as well. To work in a BOP prison you can apply as a civilian or as USPHS. These government payscales boggle my mind but it seems that USPHS provides much better pay. Can anyone confirm this? Also, if you are not involved in JRCOSTEP or SRCOSTEP then there is no service obligation and you could leave at any time?

[haeriphos]

SRCOSTEP sounds great, wish I had looked into that more when I was a student.

 

So, I'm also trying to figure out this salary stuff as well. To work in a BOP prison you can apply as a civilian or as USPHS. These government payscales boggle my mind but it seems that USPHS provides much better pay. Can anyone confirm this? Also, if you are not involved in JRCOSTEP or SRCOSTEP then there is no service obligation and you could leave at any time?

 

I've heard that, in the end, the pay is pretty similar. Keep in mind that civilian positions will be eligible for overtime, incentives, etc. Currently there are no incentives for PA's in the USPHS (but I hear they're trying to match the Armed Services critical skills recruitment and retention pay). There are a lot of things to consider with both civilian and USPHS pay. The best way to get the low-down is to call a BOP recruiter and a USPHS recruiter.

 

However, keep in mind that USPHS is a uniformed service of the United States. Like the Armed Services, it is expected that you will give more of yourself than in a civilian job. Join the USPHS because you want to contribute to resolving the public health crisis in our country, not because it pays a little more than a civilian job.

[kempoguy]

Hello, hopefully somebody could answer this. I have been conditionally selected to participate in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP) through the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). I realize that I still have to interview with HR at a prison and that I must jump through the hoops required by USPHS (ie. physical, background check etc). What I would like to know is does a "conditional" selection mean that I will receive the SRCOSTEP so long as I pass the physical, background...and don't screw up the interview with the prison? Or have I just made it passed the initial round of applicants? Does anybody know how many applicants are typically interviewed? Could anybody shed some light on my chance of being SELECTED rather than CONDITIONALLY SELECTED? As described in the email, an interview is required of all potential employees.

 

Thanks for the help.

[kempoguy]

Hello, hopefully somebody could answer this. I have been conditionally selected to participate in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP) through the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). I realize that I still have to interview with HR at a prison and that I must jump through the hoops required by USPHS (ie. physical, background check etc). What I would like to know is does a "conditional" selection mean that I will receive the SRCOSTEP so long as I pass the physical, background...and don't screw up the interview with the prison? Or have I just made it passed the initial round of applicants? Does anybody know how many applicants are typically interviewed? Could anybody shed some light on my chance of being SELECTED rather than CONDITIONALLY SELECTED? As described in the email, an interview is required of all potential employees.

 

Thanks for the help.

[haeriphos]

Kempo,

 

I was also conditionally selected. My understanding is that as long as you don't bomb your interview and all your paperwork goes through at the PHS, you're in.

[haeriphos]

Kempo,

 

I was also conditionally selected. My understanding is that as long as you don't bomb your interview and all your paperwork goes through at the PHS, you're in.

[kempoguy]

Thank you.

[kempoguy]

Thank you.

[rpackelly]

USPHS commissioned corps personnel have unbelievable opportunities once you fulfill your original obligation. You can work for multiple agencies in clinical or health policy work, research, administration, or a combination of all of the above. The people I know in this agency are happy. There is ample opportunity for advanced education in many areas. In the beginning years you are probably a bit behind on salary but after five years, you are above when you count all of the bennies. If they offered you costep you will be one of the last PAs offered this opportunity for the next few fiscal years so I would grab it in a NY minute.

[plener]

i worked for the Indian Health service as pa but not to pay off loans--i also worked in Prisons and family shelters

 

be very careful working in prisons because you will see gross injustice and have very little influence--never never never put your self as a pa to need approval for any responsibilities you have. --if you cannot have a prisoner moved from a cell with 3 other real sociopaths or a cell block full of them--dont work in prisons or consider it--sooner of later you will suffer from Ganser syndrome and start acting as a prisoner

hth

[haeriphos]

Kempo,

 

I was also conditionally selected. My understanding is that as long as you don't bomb your interview and all your paperwork goes through at the PHS, you're in.

 

I stand partially corrected. They submit more conditional offers than they have slots to fill because some people will drop out or be DQ'd during the process. So if they misjudged the decline rate there is still a chance you could pass your interview and not get in. But unlikely.

[newbeginning]

Hi Everyone,

 

I've recently applied to the SRCOSTEP program (Dec 31) and am just looking for some clarification on the application process. After the initial review, are conditional offers sent out? Or is a request for more paperwork made? Do you receive a conditional selection before the physical and interview with BOP?

Just trying to keep a level head. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[haeriphos]

If you accept your conditional offer then you'll begin the process of commissioning. It involves interviewing with the agency, passing a physical exam (health exam not physical fitness test) and medical history, and undergoing a thorough background investigation. Your paperwork will go before some boards within the USPHS and, after everyone signs off, you'll be commissioned. My entire process from start to finish took just under six months but there are many variables, so yours could be shorter or longer.

[newbeginning]

Offer accepted! Up next.. BOP interview.

 

 

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