The Secretary may, not later than 1 year after December 29, 2022, establish a voluntary program to provide additional training to individuals in eligible positions, as described in subsection (c), to support the continuous professional development of such individuals.
The program under subsection (a) shall provide for fellowships, details, or other relevant placements with Federal agencies or departments, or State or local health departments, pursuant to the guidance issued under paragraph (2), for a maximum period of 2 years.
The Secretary shall issue guidance establishing criteria for identifying placements that demonstrate ongoing sufficient mastery of knowledge, skills, and abilities to satisfy the field experience criteria under the program established under subsection (a), including assignments and experiences that develop public health and medical preparedness and response expertise.
For purposes of subsection (a), the term “eligible position” means any position at the Department of Health and Human Services at or above grade GS–13 of the General Schedule, or the equivalent, for which not less than 50 percent of the time of such position is spent on activities related to public health preparedness or response.