 RADM Denise S. Canton, Director, Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management, approved the first assignment submitted for designation as a Critical Public Health Assignment. |
| First Critical Public Health Assignment Submitted For Assignment Incentive Pay Approved |
| On 5 January 2009, RADM Denise S. Canton, Director of the Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management (OCCFM), approved the first assignment submitted for designation as a Critical Public Health Assignment (CPHA). This is the first step in the process by which an officer of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) can receive Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP).
The purpose of AIP is to provide an additional incentive that organizations can use to help with recruitment and retention for designated CPHAs. Whether to offer AIP and which assignments are selected is a decision made by the Head of the organization. Once identified, the organization submits form PHS-7080, “Request for Designation of a Critical Public Health Assignment (CPHA) Billet Qualifying for AIP,” along with any supporting documentation, to OCCFM. Once the organization receives written notification from OCCFM (form PHS-7081) that the assignment has been approved as a CPHA, the organization can enter into a written agreement with the Corps officer. The officer must commit to serve at the assignment for at least 12 months and form PHS-7065, “AIP Contract Request,” must be signed and notarized by the officer no later than 31 December 2009. Officers and sites interested in AIP are encouraged to contact their Commissioned Corps Liaison. |