Job Description

“The Navy offers a number of professional opportunities for those who choose to step out of their comfort zone a little.” – CAPT James Chun, Navy Medical Corps

As a Navy Physician, you will help lead the highly respected Navy Health Care team. You might even contribute to medical relief efforts across our country and around the globe, serving victims of everything from sickness to combat, from disease to poverty, and from hurricanes to earthquakes.

You’ll also utilize breakthrough technologies like Light-Emitting Diode (LED) probes, developed in conjunction with NASA to help heal wounds faster. As a doctor in the Navy, you will practice the most up-to-date procedures, such as “forward surgery,” that link field medics with larger medical facilities for lifesaving consultation and care.

You will also:

• Earn excellent compensation in an established, thriving practice
• Experience manageable patient ratios for high-quality, one-on-one care
• Further your expertise via hands-on experience and Navy-funded advanced training
• Distinguish yourself with pride and respect as a Navy Physician and Medical Corps Officer

When you practice Navy Medicine, you won’t need to deal with many of the roadblocks your peers will find in civilian medicine:

• No start-up costs
• No malpractice insurance to buy
• No staff to hire
• No equipment to acquire
• No office to furnish

Plus, you’ll have a flexible schedule that leaves more time for family, personal pursuits and adventure.

Specific Responsibilities

As a military doctor and Officer in the Navy Medical Corps, you will provide high-quality medical care for Sailors, Marines, servicemembers, their families and, when called upon, humanity at large.

You will handle everything a typical physician does, like diagnosing ailments, treating injuries and saving lives. Then you’ll have the opportunity to move beyond routine:

• Work at the best military medical facilities on shore, at sea and in the field
• Team with 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

Medical Specialties/Subspecialties

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 (subspecialties may be considered)
• Osteopathic Medicine
• Otolaryngology
• Pain Management
• Pathology (subspecialties may be considered)
• Pediatrics (subspecialties may be considered)
• Physical Medicine
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Preventive Medicine
• Psychiatry (subspecialties may be considered)
• Radiology
  • Diagnostic Radiology
  • Interventional Radiology
  • Radiation Oncology
• Sports Medicine
• Surface Medicine
• Surgery
  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • General Surgery
  • Neurosurgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Additional subspecialties may be considered
• Transfusion Medicine
• Tropical Medicine
• Undersea/Diving Medicine
• Urology

Work Environment

As a member of the Navy Medical Corps, you may serve at any one of more than 250 Navy and medical facilities around the globe, in some of the most dynamic environments imaginable … Hawaii to Japan, Germany to Guam, and Washington, D.C., to Washington state.

You could work at one of the highly acclaimed National Naval Medical Centers in Bethesda, Maryland; Portsmouth, Virginia; and San Diego, California. Or you could provide medical support to deployed troops aboard one of two dedicated hospital ships: the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy.

Still more health-care opportunities are available stateside and abroad, on board a surface ship, working closely with a nearby aircraft squadron, or even with the Fleet Marine Force. Or you could work at a Navy medical clinic anywhere from London, England, to Kaneohe, Hawaii.

No matter where you serve, you’ll provide leadership and expertise to support your country, the men and women who defend it, their families and the world at large.

“For six months, I’ll be trained in Navy diving. I’ll be trained in how to take care of divers...diving injuries…unique needs of submariners. There’s no place else that you can do that.” – LT Joshua Nassiri, Navy Medical Corps

Education Opportunities

Wherever you are in your medical career, the Navy can help ease your financial burdens and advance your career with generous scholarships, financial assistance and continuing education programs.

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.

Are you a current or aspiring medical student?
If so, here are free diagrams that can help you memorize key elements of the human anatomy.

Download the Navy Medical Student Study Guide
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Students

Students may get medical school paid for. You don’t need to attend a military medical school. Attend a school of your choice and you may emerge debt-free. A Navy Medical Recruiter can help you choose the program that offers you the greatest advantage:

With the Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), you may receive 100% tuition coverage during medical school, PLUS:

• A monthly stipend of $2,088 to help cover living expenses for up to 48 months
• And a sign-on bonus of up to $20,000

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 generous housing allowance*
• A comprehensive health-care benefits package

Offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request that a Navy Medical Recruiter contact you.

*Navy HSCP housing allowance based on medical school location. Increased offer amounts available in areas with a higher cost of living.

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. This includes:

• An annual grant of $45,000 for up to four years (on top of normal resident pay)
• A monthly stipend of $2,088 to help cover living expenses for up to 48 months

Offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request that a Navy Medical Recruiter contact you.

Practicing Professionals

Practicing physicians can receive a sign-on bonus of $220,000 to $400,000* when you qualify.

Offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request that a Navy Medical Recruiter contact you.

*Offer depends on specialty and service requirement.

Qualifications

To qualify for Active Duty employment consideration in the Navy Medical Corps, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S. (contact a Navy Medical Recruiter for details)
• 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 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

After the Navy

In the Navy, your extensive training, continuing education and unrivaled experience as a medical professional will offer superior career advancement opportunities that will pay off long after you return to the civilian world. Beyond your affiliation with a world-class health-care network, you will take seasoned expertise, unmatched versatility and proven management skills into the private sector. Your ability to work effectively under pressure with a deep sense of pride and honor for what you do will only make you stand out more – putting you in high demand as a practicing physician.