IHS Recognition & Awards Program Policy

The Indian Health Service provides comprehensive health care to American Indians and Alaska Natives from 562 tribes at 48 hospitals and more than 230 clinics in 35 states as of 2010. Under the auspices of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the agency recognizes exceptional employees with awards that may include cash, time off or a pay increase to the next grade.

Purpose

• The IHS offers recognition and awards to employees who "further the mission and strategic goals of the IHS, enhance organizational performance, and/or improve organizational quality," according to the program circular.

Eligibility

• The IHS recognizes outstanding employees or groups of employees who work at any position or grade level within any of its organizations. Only employees with "an acceptable level of performance" are eligible for the awards program. Any individual who deserves recognition may be given an honorary--nonmonetary--award.

Merit

• IHS policy requires managers at every level to make sure employee recognition is based "solely on merit."

Honorary Awards

• Honorary awards that do not involve monetary recognition include the IHS Director's Award, Director of Headquarters Operations and Area Director Merit Awards, Service Unit Merit Awards, Peer Recognition Awards, certificates of service, retirement certificates, departmental awards and informal recognition.

Cash Awards

• Superior Task Achievement/Recognition (STAR) awards are one-time rewards for a particular achievement; they may include cash or time off. Special Act Awards for outstanding teamwork generally recognize achievement on a special assignment; the team could get up to $10,000--or more if approved by the DHHS. Employees rewarded for superior support, customer service or administrative service could get 3 to 5 percent of base pay. Performance Based Awards involve a quality step increase--a pay raise to the next grade.