Student Opportunities
IHS Pharmacy Student Opportunities
Rotations/Clerkships
IHS has Rotations/Clerkships agreements with many of Schools of Pharmacy. Interested students should contact their School of Pharmacy's Experiential Coordinator. If the school does not have an agreement with the desired program, or to try another location, have the Experiential Coordinator contact Kailee Fretland.
Recruitment Contacts
Recruitment contacts are the Area Pharmacy Consultants. These individuals are knowledgeable about their Area and sites and what openings are currently available and will soon become available. Please contact these individuals as you look at job opportunities.
USPHS Student Externship Program and Senior Year Rotations
IHS offers three excellent opportunities for students throughout the academic year through the Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP), Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP) and Senior Year Externship Rotations. All of these programs are highly competitive.
JRCOSTEP
JRCOSTEP allows students to gain valuable professional experience with the IHS early in their education. They serve in assignments throughout the country during their official school breaks for periods from 31 to 120 days. Most, however, are hired for the summer months (June, July, and August). Upon completing his/her professional education, the student may serve an extended active-duty assignment with any of the agencies/programs that hire commissioned officers. Those who go on to a career in the Commissioned Corps are credited for their JRCOSTEP time for pay and retirement purposes. JRCOSTEPS do not have an obligation to serve in the Commissioned Corps after graduation. Go to the Division of Commissioned Personnel for additional information about JRCOSTEP.
SRCOSTEP
The SRCOSTEP program is designed to assist students financially during their final academic year in return for an agreement to work for the PHS Commissioned Corps after graduation for twice the time sponsored (i.e., an 18-month employment commitment for 9 months of financial support). Upon graduation, assignments are made to the sponsoring agency/program that provided the financial support. Go to the Division of Commissioned Personnel for additional information about SRCOSTEP.
COSTEP Testimonials
I first leamed of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps during my process of applying to pharmacy school on a podcast. It was during peak COVID times, and I found the work officers to be doing very interesting and impactful. Learning about. a new career opportunity changed my application process to apply for schools with a dual degree program that would allow me to get my Phamill and MPH. I set a goal to do a JR COSTEP at some point dtll'ing my pharmacy school career, and completed one during my public health year for my practicum experience.
Once at my site, I was able to see the intersection of pharmacy and public health being applied to patients each day. I fell in love with the patients I was seeing each day and knew it was what I wanted to do for my career. That is what led me to continue to apply for a SR COSTEP, and I am excited to continue to serve the Native American population in Red Lake, MN, upon graduation.
I originally chose to seek out a JRCOSTEP as the goals of the USPHS aligned with my own in allowing me the opportunity to provide impactful care to underserved populations who need it the most. Little did I know the empowe1ing and incredible externship I underwent at the Albuquerque Indian Health Center would live up to my career aspirations and more.
Under the guidance of my preceptor, LCDR Cathy Young as well as the many other officers and staff at the center, I was privileged to have the opportunity to make an impact on patient care I did not know was possible as a pharmacist. It was the kind and genuine interactions between patients, officers, and staff at this experience coupled with this ability to truly influence patient care that has led to me pursue a SRCOSTEP.
