The New Jersey Student/Resident Experiences and Rotations in Community Health (SEARCH) Program has been reinstated this year as a result of funds from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. It is an exciting community oriented health program that offers students opportunities to have clinically based experiences in underserved communities. The program is designed to provide structured learning experiences that will allow students to gain first hand knowledge about the community and public health issues that impact the delivery of health services to underserved populations.

FOR STUDENTS

Benefits

• Improve ambulatory care clinical skills
• Work with patients from a diversity of cultures
• Serve as a valued member of an experienced health care team members
• Benefit from the mentorship of a dedicated preceptor
• Earning a stipend

Eligibility

There will be two subsets of students participating in the NJ SEARCH Program. The first subset will be comprised of students who have completed the first year of their professional education. These students will be eligible to participate in a six week, full time summer rotation which includes a stipend. The second subset will be comprised of third year primary care medical students who may undertake a four week rotation for which they will receive credit but no stipend as this will be an elective for these students.

Students selected will include those that are training as a:

• Physician (M.D. or D.O.)
• Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse-Midwife
• Dentist
• Dental Hygienist
• Clinical Social Worker
• Physician Assistant

**Priority will be given to National Health Service Corps Scholars.

Rotation Sites

Sites will range from rural to urban settings. Rotations must occur in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) or among Medically Underserved Populations (MUPs). For some sites, access to a personal vehicle will be necessary.

*Student housing will not be provided.

Application

SEARCH Application is now available here.

FOR PRECEPTORS

Benefits

• Promote primary care practice to fill the needs of the underserved
• Receive resources for enhancing preceptor skills
• Promote academic and practice site linkages

FOR SITES

Benefits

• Promote primary care practice to fill the needs of the underserved
• Improve academic and practice site linkages
• Promote the facility to future clinicians

For more information about the New Jersey SEARCH Program, contact:

Amia Campbell, MPA
SEARCH Director
New Jersey Primary Care Association
3836 Quakerbridge Road
Suite 201
acampbell@njpca.org
609-689-9930 ext. 30

Additional Resources

http://www.hrsa.gov/
http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/search/

This program is funded by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration