Jan 9th 2008, 08:03

Externship with Perks for Would-be Dentists

The Indian Health Services (IHS) is a government agency responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaskan Natives in Tribal sites across the country. It also offers an externship program for dental students who need professional experience and those who are considering a career with the IHS' Division of Oral Health.

If you're a dental student on your 3rd or 4th year and have at least two weeks free this coming summer (April 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008), you might be interested in this program that comes with these perks:

• Basic pay (approximately $2,500 per month)
  
• Travel expense assistance of up to $2,000
  
• Free travel arrangements.
  

Some sites provide free food and lodging. But if you get selected by a site that doesn't, you can get an allowance of up to $2,000. Also, if you choose to use your own vehicle for travel, HIS can reimburse you for the either the cost of air travel or mileage.

To apply, you can follow these easy steps:

1. Download the 2008 IHS Externship Application Checklist.
   
2. Prepare a resume in MS Word and save it with your first and last name which must include your country of citizenship and your current cumulative dental school GPA.
   
3. Complete the Intent Questionnaire available on the IHS website.
   
4. Read the 2008 IHS Externship Travel Information Sheet.
   
5. When a site selects you for the program, send an email to the HIS contact person with these information:
   

• Your full name,
  
• Name of your preceptor,
  
• Site that selected you, and
  
• Tentative dates of travel.
  

The deadline for submitting applications is on February 28, 2008. You're encouraged to apply as soon as possible because some sites start their selections as soon as they receive eligible applicants.

You can download the forms and learn more about this program by visiting this site: http://www.dentist.ihs.gov/extern.cfm. 

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