 LT Tracy Powell, USPHS, Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP) Coordinator, Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management and LTJG Alexander Amankwah, USPHS, Human Resource Specialist (Military), Office of Commissioned Corps Operations processed the first AIP contract on 23 February 2009. |
| Assignment Incentive Pay Continues to Make Historical Progress |
| On 23 February 2009, the first Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP) contract and form PHS-1662, "Request for Personnel Action," were received in the Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management (OCCFM) and the Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (OCCO). Through collaboration among both offices, the first application was approved and signed by RADM Denise S. Canton, Director of OCCFM, and CAPT Joyce Prince, Director, Division of Commissioned Corps Assignments, OCCO. The application was processed by LT Tracy Powell and LTJG Alexander Amankwah and is scheduled for payment in the spring of 2009. The designated Critical Public Health Assignment (CPHA) is assigned to one of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Operating Divisions in the Southeastern United States at $1,000 per month to an officer who holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
The purpose of AIP is to provide an additional incentive that HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs), Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs), or non-HHS 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 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. Since the pilot program began in August 2008, 69 applications have been received of which 22 applications have been approved. Officers and sites interested in AIP are encouraged to contact their Commissioned Corps Liaison. |