Public Health Service
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the U.S. Public Health Service has an interesting nursing career opportunity.
The USPHS is the only civilian organization that has a military rank system and
commissions nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals in almost the
same way the U.S. Navy does.
In order to be commissioned in the Public Health Service as a nurse you
must be under 44 years old, have a Bachelors degree or Masters Degree in Nursing
from an NLN or CCNE accredited college and have an unrestricted nursing license
from one of the 50 States; Washington, DC; the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; the
U.S. Virgin Islands; or Guam, and have a passing score on the National Council
Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
The PHS commissions professionals in the following disciplines; Physician,
Nurse, Pharmacist, Dentist, Dietitian, Engineer, Environmental Health, Health
Services Scientist, Therapist, and Veterinarian.
There are only approximately 6000 healthcare professionals in the USPHS
serving all over the country and available for healthcare crisis management.
Officially a branch of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services the PHS
provides medical care and services to underserved populations such as the Native
American communities and inner cities. PHS nurses also are instrumental
in research, drug trial studies, national policy decision making and nursing
education. PHS nurses and other healthcare professionals also respond to
national emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina and for epidemics.
The rank structure of the PHS is similar to the U.S. Navy with pay grades
ranging from O-1 (Ensign) to O-10 which is the equivalent of a 4 star Admiral in
the Navy. The official titles for PHS Commissioned Corps are:
|
Rank |
PHS Title |
Navy Title |
|
O-1 |
Jr. Assistant |
Ensign |
|
O-2 |
Assistant |
Lieutenant j.g. |
|
O-3 |
Senior Assistant |
Lieutenant |
|
O-4 |
Full |
Lieutenant
Commander |
|
O-5 |
Senior |
Commander |
|
O-6 |
Director
|
Captain |
|
O-7 |
Assistant Surgeon General |
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) |
|
O-8 |
Deputy Surgeon General or Assistant Surgeon General |
Rear Admiral |
|
O-9 |
Surgeon General |
Vice Admiral |
|
O-10 |
Assistant Secretary for Health |
Admiral |
The PHS originated as a uniform service dedicated to providing health care
and hospital services to the U.S. Merchant Marines. The duties and
responsibilities expanded and they now serve as part of the nations public
health service and have officers serving with NOAA, the US Coast Guard, and
other uniform services depending on the needs of that service.
|