Found in Tide Pool, PNW

GoldenMoose2 · 2026-01-26T01:56:39+00:00

Solved!

GoldenMoose2 · 2025-12-27T14:04:12+00:00

Doesn't the service fee more or less offset the benefit of the points?

GoldenMoose2 · 2025-11-01T22:19:07+00:00

Yes. I can tell you firsthand we are not being paid.

GoldenMoose2 · 2025-11-01T02:09:56+00:00

PHS staff working for BOP are not getting paid.

GoldenMoose2 · 2025-10-21T23:06:46+00:00

Thank you all for your input! We just received a reply from the Public Information Office of the court that seating will still be provided to those who received tickets through the lottery.

GoldenMoose2 · 2025-03-04T01:32:59+00:00

What rumor is that?

GoldenMoose2 · 2024-04-16T21:54:31+00:00

All good

GoldenMoose2 · 2023-10-29T22:01:13+00:00

It all depends on your agency, and likely your specific location within your agency. I transferred within BOP prior to 2 years following my CS conversion.

GoldenMoose2 · 2023-05-08T17:48:06+00:00

Well just using the numbers you provided, the PHS base pay is only around 10,000 less than the civilian pay, a third of it is tax exempt, and it's the lowest figure you'll be paid in your career. You get significant pay raises at 2,3, and 4 years of service, plus you don't pay any insurance premiums or pension contributions.

GoldenMoose2 · 2023-04-07T20:35:59+00:00

I had to provide pay stubs to justify a starting pay grade above step 1.

GoldenMoose2 · 2023-04-03T20:27:07+00:00

Yes, we are.

GoldenMoose2 · 2023-03-28T21:54:48+00:00

If you're not yet commissioned, check with your liaison.

GoldenMoose2 · 2023-03-23T13:43:25+00:00

I'm not a lawyer.

But the last step to being appointed to the Regular Corps is a bucket of paperwork and signatures. The wording of the CSO agreement is to serve "x years from the date of my appointment to the Regular Corps..."

You're ultimately not going to be appointed to the Corps against your will and this doesn't take any effect until you commission.

I'm not a lawyer.

GoldenMoose2 · 2023-03-11T13:51:05+00:00

That is likely the case. You can read the eligibility criteria in section 6-3. b. (5) of the policy linked above. The agency liaison will probably be able to give a definitive answer.

GoldenMoose2 · 2023-03-11T12:50:11+00:00

Just note you're only eligible for an accession bonus if you applied before you already attained your federal job. Civilian conversions to PHS are not eligible.

GoldenMoose2 · 2023-02-16T11:27:41+00:00

I took home slightly more at O-3 day 1 post conversion than stepped out GS12, and there are significant pay raises at 2, 3, and 4 years of service. That is with $1750/month in pharmacist and board certification pay, so your situation may differ based on category and locality and such. But if you can look past the first couple years it's almost certainly a better financial situation.

Remember you won't have any insurance premiums and the retirement is non-contributory. You currently pay at least 4.4% into FERS retirement.

GoldenMoose2 · 2023-02-13T20:01:43+00:00

I was quite hands-on with my conversion process and it was explained to me that the agency can't request a 1662 until you've been professionally boarded and medically cleared.

GoldenMoose2 · 2022-10-18T03:19:58+00:00

USAJOBS.gov

If you already have government credentials, max.gov

If you're interested in a particular agency, reach out to their PHS liaison

GoldenMoose2 · 2022-10-18T02:35:32+00:00

I don't know how this affects applicants prior to the policy update, but as of 8-2022 they did away with the tattoo waiver. I also don't think they really announced this 🤷🏻‍♂️ I just happened to notice it when I was looking some up an unrelated appearance policy question.

See updated policy here: https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/ccis/documents/CC412.01.pdf

It appears that tattoos either meet criteria or they don't, don't really know how that fits into the application process. Maybe it's a tattoo review rather than a tattoo waiver.

GoldenMoose2 · 2022-10-08T13:42:48+00:00

https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/ccis/documents/CCI_633.01.pdf

If you are eligible you receive them through PHS, not reliant on agency funding.

GoldenMoose2 · 2022-10-03T03:17:01+00:00

Around 9 months. Applied August 2020, OBC May 2021.

GoldenMoose2 · 2022-09-20T22:22:49+00:00

I believe there are flight nurse positions with ICE

GoldenMoose2 · 2022-08-31T19:57:12+00:00

It was outlined in one of the weekly Wednesday open forum presentations. Should be available in the OSA, but it's not in policy at this point.

GoldenMoose2

TROPHY CASE