1	NHSC OVERVIEW What is the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)? The NHSC is made up of thousands of talented and dedicated clinicians who, over the past three decades, have extended out to rural, “inner city” urban, and frontier communities across the country to practice primary health care in underserved communities where the need is greatest.
2	NHSC OVERVIEW What is the need? Some 50 million people live in communities without access to primary health care. The NHSC is working to change this by helping these communities recruit and retain primary care clinicians to bridge this gap.
3	NHSC OVERVIEW NHSC is a Presidential Initiative President Bush has declared the NHSC a “Presidential Initiative,” recognizing our importance to expand direct access to healthcare for those who need it most. There couldn’t be a better time than now to join the NHSC and make a difference in a community that needs you!
4	NHSC OVERVIEW What does the NHSC do? The NHSC recruits clinicians who are dedicated and committed to providing primary health care services to those most in need. These clinicians provide comprehensive team-based primary health care that bridges geographic, financial, cultural, and language barriers.
5	NHSC OVERVIEW Who are the NHSC clinicians? Primary Care clinicians who are: Dedicated to service Culturally competent Community responsive Interdisciplinary team members
6	NHSC OVERVIEW Where do the NHSC clinicians serve? NHSC clinicians practice in NHSC sites in geographic areas or with populations that have been designated by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services as having a shortage of health professionals. These areas are called Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
7	NHSC OVERVIEW HPSA designation The NHSC works with communities in which the need is greatest—those that have been designated by the Federal Government as having a shortage of health professionals. Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) are assigned a numerical score based on the level of need. The higher the score – the greater the need.
8	NHSC OVERVIEW There are a number of criteria used in the process of designating communities as HPSAs. Some of the criteria include: Rational service area Population count Clinician count Contiguous resources High needs and/or insufficient capacity
9	NHSC OVERVIEW NHSC Sites: NHSC Sites are community based practices that include: Community health centers, migrant health centers, private practices, rural health clinics, Indian Health Service sites and prisons. These sites treat everyone regardless of their ability to pay.
10	NHSC OVERVIEW What are the NHSC’s successes? More than 27,000 health professionals have served with the NHSC since 1972. Current field strength totals more than 4,600 primary care health care professionals. These clinicians are serving nearly 4 million people.
11	NHSC OVERVIEW The NHSC has a variety of exciting opportunities for dedicated students and practicing clinicians: Ambassador Program Scholarship Program SEARCH Program Loan Repayment Program Job Opportunities List Ready Responders Program Site Support
12	AMBASSADOR PROGRAM NHSC Ambassadors are volunteers that work in partnership with the NHSC to recruit and retain clinicians to serve in underserved areas. Ambassadors self-identify as either Campus-based, Community-based, or both. Ambassadors provide a “Continuum of Support” for students and clinicians who are dedicated to providing primary health care to those in need.
13	AMBASSADOR PROGRAM What are the four key areas for NHSC Ambassadors? Recruitment/Retention Ambassadors are themselves committed to helping underserved communities; thus, they are in a position to discuss the rewards and challenges of such a career path with others. Preparation/Training Ambassadors can bring students and clinicians who are interested in primary care together to foster discussion, share resources and arrange training opportunities.
14	AMBASSADOR PROGRAM What are the key areas in which they work? Mentoring Ambassadors can use their experiences in underserved communities to support students who have a desire to work in such areas, and practicing clinicians who are already in the field. Advocacy As leaders in primary care, Ambassadors can champion the need for primary care in underserved communities and highlight the importance of this career track either on campus or in the community.
15	SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM What is the Scholarship Program? Students dedicated to practicing primary care in health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) can compete for educational scholarships. In return for this scholarship support, they must agree to practice in communities across the Nation where the need is greatest.
16	SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM What is the service commitment? One year of service for each year of scholarship support (with a minimum 2-year commitment). NHSC will assign Scholars to sites only if they are unable to find employment on their own.
17	SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM What support is provided? The NHSC provides full payment for up to 4 years of: Tuition and fees Reasonable educational expenses Monthly stipend
18	SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Who is eligible to participate? The NHSC’s Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizens who are full-time students enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, at fully accredited U.S. health professions schools.
19	SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Health Professions Schools: Allopathic or Osteopathic medical schools Family nurse practitioner programs (master’s degree in nursing, post-master’s, or post-baccalaureate certificate) Nurse-midwifery programs (master’s degree in nursing, post-master’s, or post-baccalaureate certificate) Physician assistant programs (certificate, associate, baccalaureate, or master’s degree program) Dental schools
20	SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM NHSC Scholarship Program Application Information Bulletin: Complete information on Scholarship Program selection criteria can be viewed in the NHSC Scholarship Application Information Bulletin at http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/applications/.
21	SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM What are the application steps? Apply to the NHSC by the last Friday in March. Call the NHSC helpline for an application at 1-800-221-9393. Receive notification request for an interview. Interview (conducted in summer) Scholarship Program Awards are announced usually by late September.
22	SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM What are the residency requirements? Scholars attending medical school are expected to complete residency programs in one of the following areas: Family medicine General pediatrics General internal medicine Obstetrics/gynecology Psychiatry Rotating internship (D.0.s only) with a request to complete one of the above specialties
23	SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Residency Requirements for Dental Students: Dental Scholars may do residencies in general practice or pediatric dentistry.
24	SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Students should be mindful that acceptance of an NHSC scholarship is a long-term, serious, and binding obligation. There are significant penalties for failure to meet NHSC service commitments.
25	SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Penalties for failure to meet NHSC service commitments include: Payback triple the amount of scholarship payments received plus interest. Payback is required in full within one year of breach of contract. Defaulting on scholarship debt may lead to Federal prosecution and loss of practice license in some States.
26	SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM The NHSC encourages students to read the frequently asked questions (FAQs) document about the Scholarship program. Visit the NHSC’s Web site: http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/faq/scholarship_faq.asp Call the NHSC’s helpline: 1-800-221-9393.
27	SEARCH PROGRAM What is the SEARCH Program? Student/Resident Experiences And Rotations in Community Health
28	SEARCH PROGRAM What is the SEARCH Program? SEARCH is a unique program that enables NHSC Scholars and other health professions students and residents to work on interdisciplinary teams to care for the underserved in rural and urban settings.
29	SEARCH PROGRAM The program offers the opportunity to: Train in culturally diverse community-based systems of care Learn about culturally competent, community-responsive health care Gain skills in delivering primary health care services by working with mentors
30	SEARCH PROGRAM What are the SEARCH opportunities? Opportunities vary from State to State, as does the type of assistance provided to SEARCH participants, including stipends, housing, and transportation subsidies. A complete list of State program opportunities and contact information is available on the NHSC’s Web site at: http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/join_us/search.asp.
31	LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM What is the Loan Repayment Program? The NHSC Loan Repayment Program (LRP) gives fully trained health professionals, who are dedicated to serving the underserved and have qualifying educational loans, the opportunity to compete for repayment of those loans if they choose to serve in a health professional shortage area (HPSA).
32	LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM What is the service commitment? A minimum 2-year commitment for full-time clinical practice at an approved clinic It is possible to amend the contract beyond the initial 2 years for additional loan repayment. In this case, support is offered 1 year at a time.
33	LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM What support is provided? Up to $50,000 during the first 2 years of service Up to $35,000 per year in loan repayments if the individual’s initial 2-year service contract is extended
34	LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM What additional support is provided? A new law enacted on October 22, 2004 makes all funds disbursed on or after January 1, 2004 for the NHSC Loan Repayment Program exempt from gross income and employment taxes. This law also excludes these funds from being taken into account as wages in determining benefits under the Social Security Act.
35	LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM Who is eligible to participate? Applicants need to be U.S. citizens and practicing in, or in contract negotiations with, one of the approved NHSC Loan Repayment Sites and be in one of the NHSC’s primary care recruitable professions. Clinicians need to first secure employment in an approved NHSC site.
36	LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM NHSC primary care health professions include: Physician (allopathic or osteopathic) Primary care nurse practitioner Primary care physician assistant Certified nurse-midwife Dentist Dental hygienist Mental or behavioral health professional
37	LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM How can I apply? Review specific eligibility requirements Find employment, using the NHSC’s online Job Bank Once employed, or in negotiations with a site, submit an NHSC LRP application Deadline is generally at the end of March
38	LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM NHSC Loan Repayment Program Application Information Bulletin: Complete information on selection criteria can be viewed in the NHSC Loan Repayment Application Information Bulletin at: http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/applications/.
39	LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM How are the loan repayment awards distributed? Lump sum payments will be made approximately 90 days from the start date.
40	LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM Health care providers should be mindful that acceptance of an NHSC LRP award is a serious and binding obligation. There are significant penalties for failure to meet the NHSC service commitments.
41	LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM Significant penalties for failure to meet the NHSC service requirement include: Return of all loan repayments and tax assistance, plus interest, for periods not served A $7,500 penalty for each month of unfulfilled service commitment Payment of the maximum allowable interest on the above amounts from date of breach.
42	LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM Loan Repayment Program Application Timeline: Applications are accepted from winter to spring, with all awards finalized by late summer.
43	LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM For more information: The NHSC encourages primary care practitioners to read The frequently asked questions (FAQs) document about The LRP on the NHSC’s Web site at: http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/publications/faq-index.asp, Or Call NHSC’s helpline at 1-800-221-9393.
44	JOB OPPORTUNITIES LIST What is the Job Opportunities List? NHSC’s Job Opportunities List is a valuable career resource available to all NHSC members—as well as to any primary health care student or clinician—interested in working at clinics located in health professional shortage areas.
45	JOB OPPORTUNITIES LIST What is the Job Opportunities List? The NHSC Job Opportunities List is a searchable database, updated weekly, and found on the NHSC’s Web site at http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/jobs/search_form.cfm. It contains thousands of open positions in underserved communities across the country. Anyone can use it!
46	JOB OPPORTUNITIES LIST How do you use the Job Opportunities List? This database is easy to use. A search can be done using one or more of these filtering criteria: Discipline Specialty Type of Opportunity Region State Date Added to List
47	READY RESPONDERS What is the Ready Responders Program? The Ready Responders are an elite and mobile cadre of primary care clinicians who help respond to medical emergencies nationwide. When not responding to major medical crises, these providers practice in health professional shortage areas across America.
48	READY RESPONDERS What are the benefits? Those accepted into the Ready Responders program receive all the benefits of serving in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
49	READY RESPONDERS What are the benefits? Compensation, which varies depending on many factors Special professional pay 30 days paid annual leave Tax-free allowances for housing and food Malpractice coverage under the Federal Torts Claims Act Non-contributory pension plan Non-contributory health care benefits for the active-duty officer Department of Defense benefits Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits Duty travel and transportation expenses paid by the Federal government
50	READY RESPONDERS Who is eligible to participate? Applicants should be U.S. citizens and fully trained in one of the following areas: Physician (M.D. or D.O.), having completed a primary care residency General Practice Dentist (D.D.S. or D.M.D.) Primary Care Certified Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Physician Assistant Clinical Psychologist Social Worker Registered Nurses (Baccalaureate Level)
51	READY RESPONDERS Applicants need to: Review basic eligibility requirements by going to the NHSC’s Web site at: http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/join_us/ready_clin.asp. Submit an NHSC Ready Responders application.
52	READY RESPONDERS What is the service obligation? Ready Responders must serve a 3-year tour of duty, in HPSA communities, as Commissioned Officers in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
53	READY RESPONDERS For more information: The NHSC encourages primary care practitioners to get more information about the Ready Responders program at the NHSC’s Web site at: http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/join_us/ready_clin.asp or by calling the NHSC’s helpline at 1-800-221-9393.
54	SITE IDENTIFICATION The NHSC works to identify practice sites in HPSAs as mentioned earlier in the presentation. Ultimately, all NHSC clinicians work at NHSC Sites across the country. NHSC site eligibility criteria can be found on the NHSC Web page at: http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/join_us/communities.asp.
55	JOIN THE NHSC The NHSC strives to make the connection between your commitment to practice primary care the way you believe is best and the community that most needs you.
56	JOIN THE NHSC If you are interested in making a commitment to serving the underserved, join us! For more Information and to join the NHSC, speak with an Information Specialist today! Call 1-800-221-9393 or visit the NHSC Web site at http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov