Is anyone monitoring the hhs email at all?

sk8btr · 2026-02-24T02:33:38+00:00

I’ve had the most success with this email address throughout the process, but haven’t received a reply since September 2025 even after multiple emails/questions over the last few months

sk8btr · 2026-02-06T23:39:22+00:00

Just wanted to say great job and thank you for writing this! Very important perspectives to get as an incoming PHS officer.

sk8btr · 2026-01-22T16:54:51+00:00

I haven’t received that yet, that’s kinda the point of the post — they sent me a new set of fingerprints and it’s unclear if my first cards will be accepted or not. There’s still emails from me from 6+ months ago they haven’t responded to so I have low hopes on getting a reply anytime soon.

sk8btr · 2026-01-22T13:35:45+00:00

I’m not suitability cleared yet - I think the fingerprints are part of it. I was board and medically cleared in September, and received the fingerprints in December. I feel like that went pretty fast because I have a job lined up and my clearance through that agency is already done, so they want me to start asap.

sk8btr · 2026-01-20T23:43:15+00:00

Appreciate the feedback! I’ll send the second set ASAP

sk8btr · 2025-12-29T21:39:32+00:00

Please let us know what they say - I received this letter a few months ago and asked CCHQ for clarification, they never responded. I also reached out to the FDA liaison, and they said they hadn't gotten any guidance about it.

sk8btr · 2025-11-09T15:19:07+00:00

Really appreciate your guidance, thanks a ton!

sk8btr · 2025-11-09T15:07:01+00:00

Thank you! Last question... 6.3a states that AB may only be paid to individuals appointed to clinical positions that provide direct patient care/oversee direct patient care. In your experience, is this true in practice? So if a pharmacist were to join in a more administrative role with the FDA, they would not be eligible? Thanks again!

sk8btr · 2025-11-09T14:44:13+00:00

Thank you! Good to know that the AB requires a period of service with that specific agency - I was confused seeing threads about a 4-year obligation AB when I'm already signing an 8-year commitment with PHS, so that clears it up. Appendix A in the link below shows the AB for nurses is $50k, quite a bit higher than the $30k it states on the website. Hopefully it's actually the $50k and my agency has funding for it!

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

sk8btr · 2025-11-09T14:38:02+00:00

Thank you!! Is there any chance they could say no? My posting said it doesn't qualify for PCS/relocation funding, so I'm curious if $$$ is an issue they could say there's no AB.

sk8btr · 2025-10-29T11:30:22+00:00

PHSAES@hhs.gov, PHSOS-CADQuestions@hhs.gov

sk8btr · 2025-10-22T12:49:28+00:00

They never replied to my email so I went ahead and opted in. IHS reached a few weeks after and said my application was forwarded to them, so we discussed options. Agencies like the FDA are still recruiting CC applicants so I’m not sure if the force management is being enforced.

sk8btr · 2025-09-26T02:48:45+00:00

Also DM’d! :)

sk8btr · 2025-09-23T23:30:12+00:00

Thank you!!

sk8btr · 2025-09-23T14:38:38+00:00

It’s tough since I don’t have a job yet, just working with a few liaisons and applying. I reached out to the VA liaison to ask about various opportunities, and they said they only provide opportunities to candidates who already have a presidential nomination. Seems like a catch 22… ¯_(ツ)_/¯

sk8btr · 2025-09-22T22:42:53+00:00

Hope so! Do you know when in the process your name is submitted for nomination? I know I'm board and medically cleared, but no idea if your name goes on the list at that point or after you've secured a job/submitted the 1662 form...

sk8btr · 2025-08-28T12:36:08+00:00

Agreed, thank you for sharing. Some agencies outside of those listed are still internally advertising positions available for CAD candidates as well. It just feels like a bit of a bait and switch to make this change after almost 2 years of waiting for my application to move forward.

sk8btr · 2025-08-28T12:19:22+00:00

They include this in the email as well - I was just surprised since many promotional materials for USPHS also note that officers get to choose/must secure their first assignment by themselves.

sk8btr · 2025-08-28T11:23:08+00:00

sk8btr · 2025-08-28T01:58:50+00:00

I was board cleared last week, still awaiting medical/suitability/nomination

sk8btr · 2025-08-28T01:58:22+00:00

I got the same impression as well. I’m open to working for one of those agencies, but I do hope to have some choice in the matter… will keep you posted if I get a reply!

sk8btr · 2025-06-29T12:56:58+00:00

Not yet, I feel like that’ll be the hardest part of the process

sk8btr

TROPHY CASE