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Strategies to Recruit and Retain Health Care Staff

Strategy

Recruiting

Retaining

Guidance

PAY & BENEFITS

Set initial pay upon hire at higher GS step based on superior qualifications/special needs (not recommended for Title 38 PDP selectees)

 

OPM Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

HHS Policy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
[PDF]

Set initial pay at higher GS step based on employee’s Federal highest previous rate

 

OPM Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

HHS Policy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
[PDF]

Offer recruitment incentive up to 25% of basic pay (up to 50% for nurses and Clinical Laboratory Scientists)

 

OPM Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

HHS Policy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Offer relocation incentive up to 25% of basic pay if employee moves over 50 miles (for current Federal staff, and up to 50% for nurses and Clinical Laboratory Scientists)

 

OPM Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

HHS Policy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Offer higher annual leave earning rate based on prior relevant non-Federal service

 

OPM Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Offer retention incentive up to 25% of basic pay to current staff (up to 50% for nurses and Clinical Laboratory Scientists)

 

OPM Summary Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

HHS Policy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Strategy

Recruiting

Retaining

Guidance

WORK SCHEDULES/TELEWORK

Allow an alternative work schedule

IHS OHR Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Allow telework or remote work

IHS OHR Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Allow job sharing

OPM Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Strategy

Recruiting

Retaining

Guidance

HIRING (for most of these options, Indian Preference applies)

Advertise position using a career ladder to indicate promotion potential

 

HHS Policy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
[PDF]

Consider a NDAA reemployed annuitant hire using a dual compensation waiver

 

OPM Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Hire a student or recent graduate through the Pathways program

 

OPM Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

HHS Policy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Hire under a temporary appointment not to exceed one year

 

Regulatory Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Hire an employee based on an emergency or critical need not to exceed 30 days

 

COVID-19 Hiring Options

Hire a temporary, excepted service employee for up to one year to work on COVID-19 related work

 

COVID-19 Hiring Options

Use a Direct Hire Appointment for approved positions where there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need

 

OPM Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Hire a person with a disability through a Schedule A appointment

 

OPM Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

HHS Policy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Employ a volunteer health care practitioner

 

IHS Circular

Develop a local onboarding process that will engage and involve new employees from the first day

IHS Circular

Strategy

Recruiting

Retaining

Guidance

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Establish an Individual Development Plan

OPM Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Consider employee detail

HHS Policy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Establish mentoring network for employee

OPM Guidance Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Seek training opportunities for employee

HHS Learning Portal Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Seek Continuing Medical Education/Continuing Education opportunities for employees within IHS and externally

IHS Office of Continuing Education

Veterans Health Administration TRAIN Learning Network Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov