The Indian Health Service is responsible for providing federal health services to
American Indians and Alaska Natives. The IHS serves 2.7 million individuals from 574 federally recognized tribes.
Pharmacists occupy many different roles in the Indian Health Service (IHS), both clinical and non-clinical. Pharmacists in the IHS practice at the top of their license and provide in-depth clinical services in all aspects of care.
Non-clinical roles pharmacists hold include quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI), informatics, and
executive management. Pharmacists have the opportunity to serve on multiple regional and national committees that work in unison to fulfill the mission of the IHS.
The IHS provides several opportunities for students to experience the unique work
experiences, cultures, and locations where pharmacists work. Many pharmacy schools have rotation agreements with IHS facilities across the country. Interested students should contact their Experiential Education departments. There are 25 PGY-1 and 4 PGY-2 residency programs in the IHS which provide advanced training to prepare pharmacists for a fulfilling career in the IHS.
A career in the IHS provides several avenues for student loan repayment including:
• IHS Loan Repayment Program
• National Health Service Corps Rural Community Loan Repayment
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness