G.  COMMUNITY SITE EMPLOYMENT

1.  General Information

In exchange for NHSC LRP benefits, NHSC LRP participants must be engaged in the full-time clinical practice (see Section H) of their profession (as defined by the NHSC) at NHSC-approved sites in federally designated HPSAs.  Approved NHSC sites provide outpatient primary health services to populations residing in HPSAs throughout the Nation.  Hospital day treatment centers and inpatient facilities do not qualify as NHSC service sites.

The NHSC Opportunities List reflects currently approved NHSC community sites with current vacancies (i.e., includes specific primary care employment opportunities in designated HPSAs at community sites that have been approved by the NHSC).  The NHSC Opportunities List is prepared each year by the Division of Site and Clinician Recruitment within BCRS.  The NHSC Opportunities List for FY 2009 will be posted on the NHSC Web Site under Job Opportunities. Only those vacancies posted on the NHSC Opportunities List on or before March 27, 2009, will be considered for FY 2009 NHSC LRP two-year contract awards. 

If the site identified on the Community Site Information Form (CSIF) submitted with the clinician application is not approved by the NHSC (i.e., is not on the NHSC Opportunities List), the site must complete and submit a Recruitment and Retention Assistance (R&R) Application.  Those sites that are in the process of becoming NHSC-approved sites have until March 27, 2009, to submit an R&R Application.  (See Special Items of Interest “Employment Changes During Application Process”.)

School or home-based health programs serving HPSA populations may appear on the NHSC Opportunities List if the site vacancy position meets NHSC full-time clinical practice requirements (see Section H of the Bulletin). Please note that if a school-based program only provides clinical services to students during the school year, a clinician will need an additional service site in the approved HPSA during the summer months in order to participate in the NHSC LRP and remain in compliance with NHSC full-time clinical practice requirements.

Community sites may have several vacancies per discipline category posted on the NHSC Opportunities List.  Please see Section C. 3.d. of this Bulletin for further information on funding levels per discipline category per site. If funding remains available, the NHSC LRP may fund beyond 2 two-year contract awards per discipline category for each community site. 

At the time the application is submitted, the applicant must have a signed job offer and acceptance letter or signed contract for employment at the community site(s) (maximum of 4 sites). The NHSC LRP CSIF documents the applicant's employment status. This form must be submitted with the application by January 31, 2009 (postmark date).  The applicant must include a separate CSIF for each site location or employment site.   Except as indicated below, employment at the approved NHSC community site(s) must begin on or before July 1, 2009.  (**Physician and dental residents who will complete a residency program by June 30, 2009 must begin service at the approved NHSC community site(s) no later than August 15, 2009.)

An applicant’s acceptance of an offer of employment to fill a vacancy on the NHSC Opportunities List does not guarantee that the applicant will subsequently receive an NHSC LRP contract award.  See Section C of this Bulletin describing the eligibility requirements, qualification factors, and funding preferences used by the NHSC LRP to determine which applicants will receive NHSC LRP contract awards. In addition, eligible sites could have certain positions that do not meet NHSC service requirements.  It is important for an NHSC LRP applicant to determine that the site has requested a vacancy for the applicant’s position and that the position is in compliance with NHSC full-time service requirements.

Applicants become participants in the NHSC LRP (i.e., the contract becomes effective) on the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services or his/her Designee countersigns the NHSC LRP contract.  The applicant's signature alone on this contract does not constitute a contractual agreement.

When the employment start date precedes the effective date of the NHSC LRP contract, no NHSC LRP service credit will be approved for employment prior to the effective date of the contract and no loan repayments will be made for any professional practice performed before the effective date of the contract.

Please contact your State Primary Care Organization (PCO) or Primary Care Association (PCA) representative for further assistance regarding site or HPSA problems (e.g., problems with site approval).

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Questions? nhsc@discoverylogic.com or 1-800-638-0824 Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays) 8:30 am to 5 pm ET.