Federal Practice: Indian Health Service Program includes Licensed Acupuncturists

 keywords: federal practice acupuncturists, prospective practitioners, new hospital employee, position description, program funding, federal student loan forgiveness programs

The Indian Health Service (IHS) now includes licensed acupuncturists in their "eligible providers" category for their student loan forgiveness federal service employment program.

Quote:

"25 U.S.C. 1616a, authorizes the IHS to determine specific health professions for which IHS LRP contracts will be awarded....The list of priority health professions that follows is based upon the needs of the IHS as well as upon the needs of the American Indians and Alaska Natives

(a) Medicine--Allopathic and Osteopathic doctorate degrees 

(b) Nursing--Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) (Clinical nurses only).

(c) Nursing--Bachelor of Science (BSN) (Clinical nurses only).

(d) Nursing (NP, DNP)--Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nurse in Family Practice, Psychiatry, Geriatric, Women's Health, Pediatric Nursing.

(e) Nursing--Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).

(f) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

(g) Physician Assistant (Certified).

(h) Dentistry--DDS or DMD degrees.

(i) Dental Hygiene.

(j) Social Work--Independent Licensed Master's degree.

(k) Counseling--Master's degree.

(l) Clinical Psychology--Ph.D. or PsyD.

(m) Counseling Psychology--Ph.D.

(n) Optometry--OD.

(o) Pharmacy--PharmD.

(p) Podiatry--DPM.

(q) Physical/Occupation/Speech Language Therapy or Audiology--MS, Doctoral.

(r) Registered Dietician--BS.

(s) Clinical Laboratory Science--BS

(t) Diagnostic Radiology Technology, Ultrasonography, and Respiratory Therapy: Associate and B.S.

(u) Environmental Health (Sanitarian): BS and Master's level.

(v) Engineering (Environmental): BS and MS (Engineers must provide environmental engineering services to be eligible.).

(w) Chiropractor: Licensed.

(x) Acupuncturist: Licensed.

Learn more about this program and how to apply here:

Their October 15th, 2020, funding announcement:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/10/13/2020-22649/loan-repayment-program-for-repayment-of-health-professions-educational-loans

source: October 15th, 2020 announcement

If you currently work in the IHS as a licensed acupuncturist and haven't connected to The Hospital Handbook Project community yet, start here by submitting your request or questions to us via the contact page on our website. Thank you.

If you are a student or prospective practitioner and are interested in starting practice in a large health care system, whether federal or civilian, a good starting place is our Getting Your Foot in the Door: First Steps e-book and workbook resource.

www.thehospitalhandbook.com