The Office of Research Services (ORS) is here for you during stressful times. Our services are available to all NIH federal employees, contractors and trainees. This encompasses confidential medical, counseling and consultative services to address health concerns at work.

We are highlighting two programs in this message: the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Occupational Medical Service (OMS).

The NIH EAP is staffed by licensed mental health professionals with extensive EAP experience who can provide support to members of the NIH workforce who may be experiencing a situation that affects their well-being or productivity. Consultation may begin with a comprehensive assessment and mental health screening, followed by a course of short-term counseling, and if needed, a referral to community resources. The EAP also provides crisis intervention services to workgroups affected by traumatic events. Immediate family members of employees also are eligible for certain EAP services.

For appointments, assistance, or additional information, please call 301-496-3164. In-person visits are available on the Bethesda campus; telehealth consultations are offered regardless of location during office hours. You may also reach EAP by email at NIHEAP@mail.nih.gov. Supervisors and managers may also seek guidance on referring an employee to EAP and onsite workgroup support or training options. 

EAP hours of operation are Monday – Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Emergent after-hours support is provided by the OMS clinician on call who can be reached through the Clinical Center Operator at 301-496-1211.

The OMS team of nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians and administrative staff provide expert occupational medical care in Bethesda (Building 10, 6th floor) and clinics on campuses in Baltimore and Frederick, MD, Research Triangle Park, NC and Hamilton, MT. OMS services are tailored to risk from workplace hazards beginning at time of hire, including preventive care, medical surveillance programs and the assessment and management of an employee with an occupational injury, exposure or illness. OMS clinicians may also support employees with personal health issues that intersect with their work or affect mental health by connecting them to appropriate resources. 

Please call the OMS during business hours at 301-496-4411 or reach out directly to your local OMS clinic. In Bethesda, OMS hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. For after-hours medical emergencies, such as body fluid exposures or laboratory incidents, the OMS on-call provider can be reached through the Clinical Center Operator 301-496-1211, including weekends and holidays.

​Note: OMS and EAP partner with key agency resources such as the ORS Division of Safety, NIH Wellness Programs, the Office of Human Resources, the NIH Reasonable Accommodations Program, and the Office of Intramural Training and Education, among others, to support the NIH's research and administrative communities.