Strategies to Recruit and Retain Health Care Staff

PAY & BENEFITS

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

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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

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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)

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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)

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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

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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)

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

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

WORK SCHEDULES/TELEWORK

Allow an alternative work schedule

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

Allow telework or remote work

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

Allow job sharing

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

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

Advertise position using a career ladder to indicate promotion potential

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

Consider a NDAA reemployed annuitant hire using a dual compensation waiver

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

Hire a student or recent graduate through the Pathways program

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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

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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

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COVID-19 Hiring Options

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

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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

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

Hire a person with a disability through a Schedule A appointment

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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

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IHS Circular

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

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IHS Circular

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Establish an Individual Development Plan

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

Consider employee detail

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

Establish mentoring network for employee

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

Seek training opportunities for employee

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

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

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IHS Office of Continuing Education

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