Medical Corps Officer (Physician)

Navy Doctor

Becoming a doctor is one of the most challenging paths you can choose for yourself. You have to want it, and to know why you want it: to help people, to heal sickness and cure disease, to solve medical mysteries and make scientific discoveries. The reasons for becoming a doctor are noble, but there are plenty of distractions once you hit the real world.

Running your own office means watching insurance reimbursement rates dwindle while exorbitant malpractice insurance premiums skyrocket, all while dealing with healthcare industry red tape and staffing. But as a Navy Physician, all those nuisances are handled for you-from cutting through the red tape to covering the expenses-so you can focus on what really matters: treating the Sailors and Marines who keep our country safe and the families who support them.

Navy Physicians also:

Earn excellent compensation in an established, thriving practice Experience manageable patient ratios for high-quality, one-on-one care Receive hands-on experience and Navy-funded advanced training Enjoy a flexible schedule that leaves more time for family and personal pursuits

Officers in the Navy Medical Corps are afforded the opportunity to attend the medical school of their choice and graduate debt-free through our scholarship and loan repayment programs. From a sign-on bonus of up to $800,000, and up to 100% tuition coverage, to a generous housing allowance, the education opportunities and financial rewards stack high for those pursuing a career as a Navy Physician. When you choose to invest your skills in the Navy, we invest in your future.

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Officer None

Navy Medical Corps: What to Expect

Medical Corps Officer - Physician

Internal & Family Medicine

Orthopedic Surgeon

Histopathology

Anesthesiology

General Surgeon

More Information

Responsibilities

As a Navy Physician and Officer in the Navy Medical Corps, you will lead the highly respected Navy healthcare team as you provide high-quality medical care for Sailors, Marines, service members, their families and, when called upon, the population at large. In this role, you may be called upon to:

Diagnose ailments and treat injuries Work at the best military medical facilities on shore, at sea and in the field Join top health care professionals on the highly valued Navy health care team Collaborate with fellow military doctors and other health care officers, and partner with International Relief Teams and organizations, such as FEMA, USAID and Project Hope Operate as a leader within your focus area and get exposure outside your specialty Gain management experience that will serve you well throughout your career

Navy Medicine offers practice opportunities in more than 30 specialty and subspecialty areas:

Aerospace Medicine Anesthesiology Dermatology Emergency Medicine Family Medicine Fleet Marine Corps Medicine Geriatrics Internal Medicine Allergy/Immunology Cardiology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Hematology/Oncology Infectious Disease Nephrology Pulmonary/Critical Care Rheumatology Neonatology Neurology Nuclear Medicine Obstetrics/Gynecology Occupational Medicine Ophthalmology Osteopathic Medicine Otolaryngology Pain Management Pathology Pediatrics Physical Medicine Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Preventive Medicine Psychiatry Radiology Diagnostic Radiology Interventional Radiology Radiation Oncology Sports Medicine Surface Medicine Surgery Cardiothoracic Surgery General Surgery Neurosurgery Orthopedic Surgery Transfusion Medicine Tropical Medicine Undersea/Diving Medicine Urology

Work Environment

Navy Physicians work in a variety of settings, including military medical facilities, ships, and field hospitals, both domestically and internationally. As a Navy Physician, you can work at one of the highly acclaimed National Naval Medical Centers in Bethesda, MD; Portsmouth, VA; and San Diego, CA. You might even provide medical support to deployed troops aboard one of two dedicated hospital ships-the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy. Still more opportunities are available aboard a surface ship, working closely with a nearby aircraft squadron, or with the Fleet Marine Force. Reserve Physicians primarily drill one weekend a month at a location near their home.

Training & Advancement

Upon graduation from medical school, those pursuing a Physician position are required to attend Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI. ODS is a five-week program that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers. Here they learn about the military structure of the U.S. Navy, its rich history of traditions and customs, leadership development and military etiquette.

Once that training is complete, you will learn the ins and outs of life as a Navy Physician at your first assignment.

Promotion opportunities are regularly available but competitive and based on performance.

Post-Service Opportunities

Specialized training received and work experience gained in the course of service can lead to valuable credentialing and occupational opportunities in related fields.

Education Opportunities

The Navy offers generous scholarships, financial assistance and continuing education programs, allowing you to finish your education with little or no debt.

In the Navy, you'll learn to lead others, further distinguishing your career, enhancing your credentials and expanding the boundaries of your expertise. Plus, if you're a student or resident, you can concentrate on your education or training, with no military/training obligation until after your program is completed.

For Students:

The Navy may pay for your medical education, and you don't need to attend a military medical school. Attend a school of your choice and you may emerge debt-free. With the Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), you may receive 100% tuition coverage during medical school, plus a monthly stipend, reimbursement of expenses and up to $20,000 sign-on bonus. With the Navy Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP) , you may receive from $157,000 to $269,000 while attending medical school. This includes a monthly military salary, a housing allowance, and a comprehensive health care benefits package.

For Residents:

Residents may get supplemental income in medical residency through the Navy Financial Assistance Program (FAP), which may offer you $275,000 or more during your medical residency, including an annual $45,000 grant, a monthly stipend and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.

For Practicing Physicians:

Practicing physicians can receive a sign-on bonus of up to $800,000 if they qualify.

All offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request a medical recruiter contact you.

Qualifications & Requirements

A degree from a four-year college or university is a minimum educational requirement to become a Commissioned Officer. You must also attend Officer Training. There may be exceptions to the degree requirements based on extensive service experience. Additional qualifications include:

Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S. Be a graduate of an eligible medical school accredited by the AMA or the AOA Have completed one year of graduate-level medical education in a program approved by the AMA or AOA (interns currently in training may also apply) Have an MD or DO degree Have a current state medical license within one year of entering the Navy Medical Corps Be willing to serve a minimum of two years of Active Duty Be between the ages of 21 and 64 (qualified candidates over the age of 64 will be considered on a case-by-case basis) Be in good physical condition and pass a full medical examination

General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you're currently serving, whether you've served before or whether you've never served before.

Part-Time Opportunities in the Navy Reserve Medical Corps

Serve your country as a physician and part-time Navy medical officer.

Navy commissioned physicians attend to service members and their families. They have opportunities to participate in humanitarian relief efforts at home and around the world. They work at state-of-the-art military medical facilities and have access to advanced training and technology, including those not yet available to civilian providers. Navy healthcare offers the ability to focus on the finer points of medicine without the financial and business complications of private practice.

Physicians in the Navy Reserve serve in an Officer role. Before receiving the ongoing professional training that comes with this job, initial training requirements must first be met.

Navy Physicians also:

Experience manageable patient ratios for high-quality, one-on-one care Receive hands-on experience and Navy-funded advanced training Enjoy a flexible schedule that leaves time for family and personal pursuits

As a Navy Physician and an Officer in the Navy Medical Corps, you will help lead the highly respected Navy healthcare team as you provide high-quality medical care for Sailors, Marines, other service members, their families, and, when called upon, humanity at large.

You will handle everything a typical physician does, such as diagnosing ailments, treating injuries, and saving lives. You also can move beyond routine:

Work at the best military medical facilities on shore, at sea, and in the field Teach and mentor medical students, post graduate trainees, and more junior colleagues Collaborate with fellow milita...