Welcome to the National Institutes of Health
We’re glad that you've chosen to pursue your career at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH is the Nation’s medical research agency - making important medical discoveries that improve health and save lives. NIH offers a diverse environment that offers many opportunities for you to grow professionally and personally.
It is mandatory that you visit each link and follow the directions prescribed in ALL eight topics below prior to your first day. To ensure a successful on-boarding experience you will also be required to print and follow the tasks outlined in the Employee Checklist.
The Office of Human Resources is here to serve and support you as you join the NIH community. If you require an accommodation in order to participate in orientation or have any questions, please notify your Client Services Contact. If you are hearing impaired, please call through the Maryland Relay Service at 1-800-735-2258.
- Orientation - Date, time and location
- Directions & Parking Validation - Directions to the NIH Campus
- New Hire Forms (E-Induction) - Instructions and forms that MUST be completed, printed, signed and brought to orientation; Benefit forms do NOT need to be completed prior to orientation
- Benefits - Federal benefit program information; additional benefit information will be provided at orientation
- ID Badge - How to obtain your NIH identification badge
- Parking and Transportation - NIH parking permits and transportation subsidies information
- E-Verify - NIH employment eligibility verification process for all new Federal employees
- Ethics - NIH ethics principles and contact information
Orientation
You are scheduled to attend a New Employee Orientation on your first day at NIH. Go to the Orientation calendar and schedule websites to obtain your orientation date, location and schedule.
Directions & Parking Validation
On your first day we recommend that you take the METRO Red Line to the Medical Center station which is located at the southwest corner of Rockville Pike and South Drive. Please go to http://www.wmata.com for information on METRO. From the Medical Center METRO follow the signs to the NIH entrance and go to the Gateway Center (Building 66) to obtain a visitor pass. From there you can walk or take the NIH Campus Shuttle to the appropriate building for orientation.
If you choose to drive you will be required to enter the NIH campus through the visitor entrance located at Rockville Pike and NIH Gateway Drive for security reasons. To view a map of the Gateway Center go to http://parking.nih.gov/Gateway.htm. Validation will be provided at the New Employee Orientation for MLP-11 parking garage (near Gateway Center) ONLY. NIH shuttles are available for easy transport to your orientation location. Visit the NIH campus shuttle maps and schedules page for more information.
New Hire Forms (E-Induction)
There are a number of additional forms that must be completed as part of the new hire process. To complete these forms you must return to the on-line induction system, using your original login ID and password. Instructions for using the system can be found on the E-Induction New Hire Overview page. If you have forgotten your password, please notify your Client Services Contact so it can be reset.
As you go through the on-line induction process, you will be able to monitor the status of your forms. In the E-induction system your forms will be designated as incomplete (Pre-Draft), partially completed (Draft), complete and submitted (Submitted), or approved (Approved). Please complete and submit your forms no later than one week prior to your first day. Submitting your forms in E-Induction simply allows HR staff to view your forms prior to orientation. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PRINT ALL FORMS AND BRING THEM WITH YOU TO ORIENTATION. FAILURE TO PRINT AND BRING THESE FORMS TO ORIENTATION WILL DELAY YOUR APPOINTMENT PROCESS. It is imperative that you meet with your Client Services contact to turn in your completed forms prior to leaving the orientation.
Benefits
The Benefits and Payroll Liaison Branch (BPLB) manages the administration of NIH employee benefits. For details and information about all of the Federal benefits please visit the New Federal Employee Enrollment (OPM) page. Benefit forms do NOT need to be submitted prior to or during orientation if you have not made a decision by that time. For additional information and timeframes please visit BPLB’s Benefits for New Employees page. You may wait for the presentation before you make decisions on your benefits. BPLB staff will be available following the benefit presentation to answer questions and assist you with your benefit forms.
Employees Transferring from Outside of HHS
As a transfer Federal employee, most Federal benefits will transfer with you automatically; for these benefits you do not need to enroll again. Please review your first Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) to confirm that your benefits transferred appropriately. You will also need to send BPLB staff a copy of your final LES upon receipt from your previous agency. Refer to the Transfer Fact Sheet 
for detailed information that includes your action-items.
ID Badge
All new Federal employees must be fingerprinted and must submit to a background investigation based on the security clearance required for your position. This is a Federal Government requirement of Executive Order 10450. Only security personnel and suitability and investigative professionals, who have the appropriate security clearance and have a demonstrated need, will be authorized to access your personal information.
You will receive an e-mail from the NIH Enterprise Directory (NED) administrator ned@nih.gov with instructions on how to initiate this process. We strongly encourage you to submit your NED information as soon as possible and to visit the Getting a Badge for New Employees page for tips on how to expedite your badging process. You will not be able to begin the badging process, obtain an NIH e-mail account or receive a parking permit or transhare subsidies without being accurately entered and sponsored in the NED system. Furthermore you will be required to enter NIH facilities as a visitor until you receive your badge. To check on your NED status, go to https://ned.nih.gov/search/.
You will be issued an NIH ID badge after your fingerprints have cleared, approximately one week after your enrollment appointment (identity verification, photographing, and fingerprinting). You are strongly encouraged to schedule your enrollment appointment at least 5 days prior to your first day by calling 301-496-0051. Scheduling in advance will allow you to pick up your badge sooner; which will give you employee access to NIH campus and satellite buildings. If you prefer to schedule enrollment appointment on your first day, you do not need to schedule an appointment. The Division of Personnel Security and Access Control has reserved appointment times for new Federal employees and will provide you with your enrollment appointment date, time and location during orientation registration. For additional information on the fingerprint and ID badge process, visit the Getting a Badge for New Employees page.
Parking/Transportation
Temporary parking permits will be available at the orientation session for employees who will work on the NIH main campus. Parking permits must be displayed when parking on the NIH main campus. After you are entered into NED you will be able to apply for a regular parking permit, which will require a valid driver’s license and vehicle registration. Information about parking permits can be found on the DATS Parking Permits and Transportation Services page.
NIH also participates in Transhare, a transportation incentive program for NIH employees. After you receive your NIH identification number, you will be able to apply for this program. For information and details go to the NIH Transhare Program page.
E-Verify
The NIH participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify) established by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. This program assists employers in verifying the employment eligibility of all newly-hired employees. Federal law requires that all employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of all new employees (including U.S. citizens) within three days of hire. Employees are required to complete a Form I-9 and provide employers with documentation establishing both identity and eligibility to work in the United States. The use of E-Verify by the NIH entitles you to certain rights and responsibilities. Please visit the E-Verify Employee Rights document for more information.
Ethics
The National Institutes of Health inspires public confidence in science by maintaining high ethical principles. As such, the NIH has developed criteria for ethical conduct that are described at NIH Ethics Program website. For more information, please contact your ethics coordinator .
