Post-Graduate Clinical Training Recipient Orientation

Agenda Graduation Requirements Post-Graduate Clinical Training Breach of Contract and Default Additional Information

Graduation Requirements

Forms and Documentation Notice of Impending Graduation (IHS ) form — Due to your Program Analyst at the beginning of your final academic term. Other Documentation — You must submit the following documentation after graduation: A copy of your diploma. An official transcript documenting the degree awarded. A copy of your license or board certification, if applicable.

Post-Graduate Clinical Training

Purpose To allow Health Professions Scholarship recipients in identified health professions the opportunity to complete required or optional post-graduate clinical training programs to fulfill the requirements for board certification or licensure. All training positions must begin within 90 days of graduation.

Required Forms Request for Approval of Deferment (IHS ) Submit to your Program Analyst at the beginning of your final year of academic training. List post-graduate clinical training program(s) to which you will be applying. Receive approval for the program(s) from your IHS Scholarship Program Analyst.

Required Forms (cont.) Notification of Deferment Program (IHS ) Submit by the end of the last month of your final year of academic training. Notify your analyst of the post-graduate clinical training program in which you have been accepted and intend to begin your training. The Request for Approval of Deferment form, submitted at the beginning of the academic year, must list that clinical training program.

Health Professions — Required Training Medicine Clinical Psychology Social Work Dietetics

Medicine — Eligible Residencies Three-Year Deferment: Emergency Medicine Family Practice General Internal Medicine General Pediatrics

Medicine — Eligible Residencies (cont.) Four-Year Deferment: Anesthesiology General Psychiatry Internal Medicine/Family Practice Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Obstetrics/Gynecology

Medicine — Eligible Residencies (cont.) Five-Year Deferment: Family Practice/Psychiatry General Surgery Internal Medicine/Psychiatry

Clinical Psychology The maximum deferment period is two years. State licensing boards require that graduate psychologists practice under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist for a specified number of hours (usually 2,000) before they are eligible to take the state exam. You must complete a PhD or PsyD program and become an independent, licensed clinical psychologist before any service will count toward your service commitment.

Social Work The maximum deferment period is three years. State licensing boards require graduate social workers to practice under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker for a specified number of hours (usually 2,000 – 3,000) before they are eligible to take the state exam. You must complete a master’s degree program and become an independent, licensed clinical social worker before any service will count toward your service commitment.

Dietetics The maximum deferment period is one year. The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics requires dietitians to complete a 1200-hour ACEND-approved internship under the supervision of a registered dietician before they are able to take the ACEND registration exam. You must complete a bachelor’s degree program and become a registered dietitian before any service will count toward your service commitment.

Health Professions with Optional Training Dentistry Nursing Optometry Pharmacy

Dentistry The maximum deferment period is one year. You must complete a one-year Advanced Education Program in General Dentistry (AEGD) or General Practice Residency (GPR). Only programs that are fully operational with the American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) are permitted.

Nursing The maximum deferment period is one year. The training program must emphasize clinical outpatient (OPD), inpatient (IPD) and/or emergency (ERD) nursing skills.

Optometry The maximum deferment period is one year. You must enroll in Ocular Disease/Pathology and Primary Care Optometry residency programs only. Consult the IHS Discipline Chief for Optometry prior to applying to a residency program.

Pharmacy The maximum deferment period is one year. IHS Residency Program American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Residency Program American Pharmacists Association (APhA) accredited Post-Graduate Year One (PGY 1) Pharmacy Residency Program (Hospital, Community or Managed Care only).

Required Forms and Documentation During Training Annual Status Report (IHS ) Submit annually until the approved deferment period is complete. Letter of Good Standing Submit annually until the approved deferment period is complete. Signed by the Program Director or Coordinator.

Breach of Contract and Default

Policy You will be in breach of your IHS Scholarship Contract and placed in default if you pursue an unapproved post-graduate clinical training program.

Liability Recipients who complete their degree and pursue an unapproved post-graduate clinical training program or fail to serve in their funded health profession will be liable to: Repay three times the amount of scholarship funding plus interest. Repay the scholarship funds plus interest within one year of the default date.

Contact Information

Support Staff For assistance contact: IHS Scholarship Program Analyst — Area Scholarship Coordinator — IHS Discipline Chiefs — IHS Recruitment Office — For additional information: Visit or consult your Service Commitment Handbook, which is also available on this website.