OHSU Employee Benefits
Enjoy exceptional health coverage, PTO and a culture of belonging
Build your healthy future at OHSU. As an OHSU employee, you’ll be part of our mission to heal, teach and discover while accessing great benefits for your life. You’ll also work in Portland, Oregon, with easy access to the ocean, mountains, the arts and a thriving food scene.
Here’s what to expect:
- A welcoming and inclusive culture
- Affordable medical, dental and vision plans
- Generous holiday and vacation paid time off
- Pension and retirement savings
- Flexible work and part-time options
- Professional development and TTP
- Wellness tools and discounts
Already an OHSU employee? Explore benefits here.
Apply for jobs at OHSU
Frequently asked questions about applying for jobs and working at OHSU
Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB)
You can be your authentic self at OHSU.
We work hard to build a welcoming, respectful culture that prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for all.
Health insurance benefits
Get medical, mental health, dental and vision coverage at low costs for you and your family. Add life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and other options if needed.
Vacation and PTO
Enjoy generous paid holidays, vacation, PTO, and sick leave to balance work and life. Full-time employees get:
- Eight or nine holidays a year, plus Juneteenth floater, depending on the job.
- At least 200 hours of vacation or paid time off a year, depending on the job.
- Additional paid sick leave or EIB (extended illness bank) time.
Retirement plans
Choose from a variety of plans, including 401(a), Oregon PERS and voluntary savings plans. House officers and postdoctoral scholars receive an annual 457(b) contribution from OHSU.
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Most employees working 600+ hours a year in a qualified position can choose between the OHSU-funded 401(a) University Pension Plan (UPP) or PERS Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan.
Flexible work and part-time jobs
OHSU offers fully remote and hybrid remote jobs, as well as part-time roles and flexible work schedules. Check job postings for details.
- Use virtual tools to connect and work remotely.
- Reserve flexible workspaces at OHSU to work on site when needed.
Professional development and TTP
As an employee, you’ll find ways to learn and grow at OHSU. Access classes, workshops, counseling and LinkedIn Learning courses to build your skills and confidence.
Nurses can also join the Transition to Practice Program and explore fellowships to advance skills as a scientist, leader and practitioner.
Employee wellness tools and discounts
OHSU’s Spark Wellness offers healthy lifestyle resources, from recipes to financial coaching. Employees also get exclusive discounts on products and services for travel, home, health and family. As an employee, you can access:
- Nutrition and fitness tips
- Stress reduction counseling
- Professional and personal well-being courses
- Legal and financial management services
- Accommodations for pregnant and breastfeeding parents
Employee discounts
- Campus parking reservations and discounts
- Deeply discounted TriMet and C-TRAN bus passes
- Bike loaners, subsidies and valet parking
- Childcare program discounts and priority enrollment
- Yoga, studio and gym discounts
- Housing and home services discounts
- Travel and vacation discounts
- And many more
Tuition assistance
OHSU Employee Tuition Benefit Program
- OHSU employees may access discounts, assistance or reimbursement for courses at Oregon universities and colleges.
- Eligible OHSU employees can apply for student loan forgiveness through the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
- OHSU Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) employees get tuition discounts on courses at OHSU School of Nursing.
- Through the Professional Development Reimbursement Program, eligible AFSCME Local 328 employees can get reimbursed for classes, textbooks, first-time certifications and continuing education units (CEUs).
OHSU employee benefits FAQs
How does OHSU support diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB)?
Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is central to our mission and key to the success of all we do. As an OHSU employee, you’ll have the power to shape and strengthen our culture of belonging. Explore committees and employee resource groups that are driving positive change.
Which employees qualify for health benefits?
If you are a permanent employee and work 20 hours or more per week, you will probably qualify for benefits. If you qualify, you may also add a spouse, domestic partner, children under 26, and children 26 or older who cannot support themselves because of mental or physical disability.
Employees who do not qualify for benefits include:
- AFSCME flex staffers, with some exceptions
- AFSCME relief, with some exceptions
- ONA resource nurses, with some exceptions
- Student workers
- Temporary employees
What is the monthly cost for health benefits?
Depending on the plan you choose, OHSU covers all or most of the monthly cost, or premium, for medical, dental and vision coverage for full-time employees and their covered family members.
What is the waiting period to join OHSU retirement plans?
OHSU-funded plans have a three- or six-month waiting period:
- 401(a) University Pension Plan (UPP) waiting period: Three months.
- Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) through PERS waiting period: Six months.
Employees get an email about two months after their hire date to select a plan. Returning employees typically do not need to serve a new waiting period if rehired within five years.
OHSU Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans 403(b) and 457(b) have no waiting period. You can start contributing right after your hire date. All employees paid through W-2 reportable wages are eligible to participate in these plans.
When do OHSU retirement plans vest?
The 401(a) University Pension Plan (UPP) fully vests after working at OHSU for three years or turning 50 while still employed. The Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) through PERS vests after working at OHSU for five calendar years with 600+ hours or turning 65 as an active employee.
Once you become fully vested, you own 100% of your retirement benefits.
When do voluntary plans vest?
Employee contributions to OHSU Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans 403(b) and 457(b) have no vesting period and are portable if you leave OHSU.
Can I work remotely or part-time at OHSU?
Some jobs at OHSU offer fully remote or hybrid remote options, as well as part-time and flexible work schedules. Check the job posting for details. If you work remotely, you’ll connect with your team through virtual tools, like Microsoft Teams and other secure cloud-based applications. When you need to work on campus, simply reserve a flexible workspace at OHSU.