Civilian Healthcare Occupations Sustainment Project (C.HOSP)

Exception of Healthcare Positions from NSPS Transition

On May 27, 2010 and amended June 17, 2010, the NSPS Transition Office granted an exception to allow healthcare positions in 30 occupations to continue to be filled under NSPS until a new system is developed or until the termination of NSPS on December 31, 2011.

The exception will provide the Department with sufficient time to explore the appointing and pay flexibilities available under chapter 74 of Title 38 to:

• Enhance its ability to recruit, employ and retain civilian healthcare professionals

• Align employment and compensation practices with the Department of Veterans Affairs

• Remain competitive with the private sector

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs is responsible for the design and development of the new system. For information about the new system:

Visit: http://www.health.mil/About_MHS/Organizations/MHS_Offices_and_Programs/People

Contact: Leigh Ann Watts via phone at: (703) 681-1698 and via email at: C.HOSP@ha.osd.mil

Physicians and dentists, also a part of the healthcare community and exempt from transitioning to the GS system, will be covered under the Physician and Dentist Pay Plan (PDPP). To read DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol. 543, visit:

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/1400.25-V543.pdf

For information about PDPP contact:

Mike Szirotnyak 703 696 1242 michael.szirontnyak@cpms.osd.mil

Sharrie Spicher 703 696 1721 sharrie.spicher@cpms.osd.mil

Answer: It is a mandatory exception applicable to all organizations with employees in positions that fall under the 30 healthcare occupations listed in the memorandum (see below list).

Question: Who determined which healthcare occupations are exempt?

Answer: OSD Health Affairs and the Components identified the occupations and the NSPS Transition Office approved the specific exception requests.

Question: Will a GS employee who currently works in a healthcare position that falls within the 30 occupations convert to NSPS?

Answer: No. GS employees will not convert to NSPS.

Question: Are physicians and dentists going to be part of the new system?

Answer: No. Physicians and dentists will be covered under the PDPP. However, as a result, NSPS physicians and dentists are excluded from the transition out of NSPS pending conversion into the PDPP.

Question: Will NSPS physicians and dentists transition directly to the PDPP?

Answer: That is the current plan; however, the specific processes and procedures for the transition of NSPS physicians and dentists into the PDPP have not been developed.

Question: How do we handle the performance management process for the healthcare employees who remain in NSPS after the organizations transition?

Answer: Employees excluded from transition are covered by the NSPS performance management system as long as they remain in NSPS

Question: How will pay pools be constructed for employees in healthcare positions who remain in NSPS?

Answer: Guidance regarding pay pool construction is covered in Chapter 5 of the Transition from NSPS to GS guidance for HR Practitioners and in Component guidance.

Question: Whom can I contact for general information about transition from NSPS?

Answer: Please contact your Component NSPS Transition Program Management Office using the following links:

• Air Force (coming soon)

• Army Civilian Personnel On-Line 

• Fourth Estate 

• Navy