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NEWS

Idaho SEARCH Program taking applications for 2010-2011

Earn While You Learn! The Idaho SEARCH Program is taking applications from health professions students and residents for participation in a National Health Service Corps program that provides quality clinical training opportunities for students and residents in primary care settings. 4-6 week rotations provide rich experiences in community health in rural communities throughout Idaho. Stipends of up to $1,500 are available to help with living and travel expenses. Train in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environments while earning academic credits and $$$. Only 24 slots remain for the program year 10/1/10 - 9/30/11. Click here for information on how to apply.

SITE INFORMATION

http://www.rockymountainlearning.com/ipcasearch - archived Site Orientation Webinar

The purpose of the Idaho SEARCH Program is to provide opportunities for health professions students and residents to serve on multidisciplinary health care teams in underserved communities throughout Idaho, thereby establishing and strengthening links between community-based sites and academic institutions.

In Idaho, this program currently provides opportunities for students and residents in the following disciplines to complete four to six week rotations at an approved clinic in an underserved community:

• Medical students and residents (MD and DO)
• Physician assistant students
• Nurse practitioner students
• Dental students and residents (DDS and DMD)
• Dental hygiene students
• Masters level behavioral health students

Rotations are four to six weeks and both the participant and the precepting site receive a stipend. Participants are assigned a preceptor and community mentor and are required to complete a 20-25 hour community project outside of clinic time.

SITE QUALIFICATIONS

Accept all patients regardless of ability to pay.
Offer a sliding fee scale through a published sliding fee schedule.
Accept Title XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) assignment.
Sites located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) are preferred.

SITE BENEFITS

Receive $500 toward the expenses of staff time for each SEARCH participant who completes a rotation at the clinical site.
Identify possible candidates for future employment.
Preceptors are engaged in teaching opportunities and may qualify for scholarships to attend identified conferences for professional development.
Completion of a community-based project by participants to benefit the clinic and the community that you serve.
Receive resources and information to qualify as a National Health Service Corp site, a Federally Qualified Health Center, a Rural Health Clinic, or a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-a-like, if desired.

SITE RESPONSIBILITIES

Complete and submit a Site Application and Capacity Survey to become an official SEARCH site.
Sign and submit an Idaho SEARCH Program Letter of Agreement.
Participate in an initial orientation to the Idaho SEARCH Program.
Identify clinical preceptor(s) to supervise the participant rotations.
Identify a community mentor (not the participant's clinical preceptor, someone preferably outside the clinic staff) to be involved with the participant's overall community experience during the rotation.
Work with the participant's academic program to ensure that the appropriate evaluation of the participant occurs, if needed.
Work with the participant to find available housing for the rotation.
Complete a site evaluation form prior to being reimbursed for their participation in the SEARCH program.

For more information, please contact Katrina Hoff, SEARCH Program Director at (208) 898-3824 or khoff@idahopca.org.