Ambassador Toolkit

Table of Contents

Dear Ambassador,

On behalf of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), we want to thank and welcome you as an NHSC Ambassador.  Because of your dedication and commitment to our mission, more primary care clinicians will be inspired and supported in their efforts to assist the underserved in communities across the U.S. They will join the ranks of America's Health Care Heroes—more than 27,000 practitioners who have proudly served Americans in need of quality health care through the NHSC for more than 35 years.

This Ambassador Toolkit is a resource developed just for you to assist in your volunteer efforts.  The Toolkit is designed to provide resources that support various aspects of the four focus areas for NHSC Ambassadors:

• Recruitment/Retention
  Recruit and retain students and clinicians to work in underserved communities – 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
  Prepare and train students and clinicians to work in health professional shortage areas – Ambassadors can bring students and clinicians who are interested in primary care together to foster discussion, share resources and arrange training opportunities.

• Mentoring
  Mentor students and clinicians who desire to provide service to the underserved – Ambassadors can use their experience and knowledge of working in underserved communities to advise and support students and clinicians who have a desire to work in such areas.

• Advocacy
  Advocate for improving the health of the Nation’s underserved – 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.

As a respected campus and/or community professional, you can have a profound influence on students and clinicians’ lives in your Ambassador role.  Be assured that we will assist you in every way possible to accomplish your mission as an NHSC Ambassador.  This Ambassador Toolkit is designed exactly for that purpose.  In it you will find:

• Concise information about all NHSC programs
• Helpful “Tips” that will direct your work with students and clinicians
• Ready-to-use “Tools” (flyers, handouts, brochures) to accomplish your tasks
• Suggestions for advocating the mission of the NHSC at your institution/organization and to your colleagues
• References to more information available on the NHSC Web site

The materials below have been developed after extensive discussion with, and input from, other Ambassadors like you.  You told us what works and what tools you need to get the job done.  We’ve organized the information so that you can quickly and easily find what you need to know.

Again, welcome to a coalition whose members are dedicating their talents to making a real difference in the lives of people in need.

Sincerely,

NHSC Ambassador Program Team

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NHSC PROGRAMS

Overview
Scholarship Program
Loan Repayment Program
Job Opportunities List
SEARCH
Ready Responders

RECRUITMENT/RETENTION TIPS (for Campus Ambassadors) —to help identify and recruit students and clinicians

PREPARATION/TRAINING TIPS (for Campus and Community Ambassadors) – to help prepare and train students and clinicians to work in health professional shortage areas

MENTORING TIPS (for Campus and Community Ambassadors) —to help advise and support students who have an interest in serving the underserved and clinicians who are currently serving in underserved communities

ADVOCACY TIPS (for Campus and Community Ambassadors) —to promote the need for primary care in underserved communities and the NHSC mission among students, clinicians, and colleagues

TOOLS

Promotion
Ambassador Press Release—to encourage students and clinicians to meet with their Ambassador
NHSC Radio Press Release—to recruit students and clinicians to serve the underserved
NHSC Classified Advertisement—to recruit people to serve the underserved
Media Interview Guide—to help Ambassadors prepare for interviews
Newspaper Article Outline—to assist Ambassadors in writing human interest articles

Events
Event Planning Guide—to help Ambassadors plan an event
Event Flyer (3)—to help advertise and promote events
Event Evaluation and Follow-up—to gather information from event participants

Ambassador Administration Web site—to request NHSC materials for meetings and events
PowerPoint Presentation—to use during NHSC information meetings
Brochures Available to Order—to remind Ambassadors about the different NHSC brochures
Table Top Poster—to promote the NHSC during health fairs

Correspondence
Ambassador Update Letter—to share Ambassador ideas and activities with the NHSC
Ambassador Profile Questionnaire—to inspire students and clinicians through Ambassador experiences
Student Welcome Letter—to send to potential Scholars
Scholar Welcome Letter—to send to new Scholars
Scholar Profile Questionnaire—to learn about Scholars and career interests

Resources
Ambassador Information Sheet—to promote the Ambassador Program to colleagues
Ambassador ALERT—sample for review—the NHSC sends this to Ambassadors
Ambassador Homepage—to learn about NHSC Ambassador Web resources
Clinician Qualities—to help Ambassadors with student and clinician recruitment
Success Stories—to learn about NHSC clinicians and their journeys
Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs)—to understand HPSAs
Health Professional Journals—to use as an information source
Health Professional Organizations—to use as an information source
NHSC Health Professions—to review specific NHSC primary care health professions
Medical Spanish Training—to promote various educational training opportunities
Primary Care Learning Modules—to use as teaching tools
State Partner Organizations—to develop networks and partnerships
Additional Avenues for Serving the Underserved—to refer students and clinicians