Health Professions Education and Training (HP-ET)

HP-ETs are educational programs, provided by university partners and organizations, who increase recruitment and retention capacities of health centers by teaching and training students and aspiring health care workers about the mission and work of health centers. The goal of this initiative is for students, clinical and support staff to successfully transition into full-time employees at health centers. There are several benefits to HP-ETs. The first is supporting recruitment by providing pathways to fill understaffed roles. The second is HP-ETs support retention by improving staff satisfaction through training, teaching, and mentoring. HP-ET activities include:

  • Health center completion of the Readiness to Train Assessment Tool (RTAT): RTAT to Engage with HPT Programs
  • Providing targeted T/TA on the RTAT, HP-ET workforce planning, addressing barriers in implementation of HP-ET
  • Establishing and facilitating strategic partnerships with educational institutions and workforce stakeholders
  • Promoting best practices or evidence-based models in HP-ET

To better understand how to grow and implement an HP-ET program at your FQHC, view the ACU STAR2 Center presentations:

Workforce Pipeline Partnerships

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine – New Jersey AHEC

  • The NJ AHEC Program: The School of Osteopathic Medicine at Rowan University has operated the New Jersey AHEC program for the past 40 years. New Jersey AHEC includes three centers and a network of over 80 community-based organizations located in medically underserved areas of New Jersey that provide education and training to medical students and other health professionals. The goal is to increase the distribution of health professionals in underserved areas who are prepared to deliver high quality, culturally competent care to vulnerable populations in a transforming health care system.
    • The Healthcare Management and Administration program within the School of Professional Studies at Rowan University is committed to ensuring that its interns gain meaningful, hands-on experience in the field. Students will contribute effectively while working alongside health center staff and will complete their internship with valuable knowledge and a strong sense of accomplishment that will support their future careers.
    • The program requires students to complete a two-semester internship, with each semester consisting of 120 hours—averaging approximately 10 hours per week. All internships must be pre-approved and include a job description as well as a letter of commitment from the facility supervisor.
    • Contact the NJPCA to learn more about how your center can benefit from the NJ AHEC Program.

Leonard A. Lauder Community Care Nurse Practitioner Program

  • The Leonard A. Lauder Community Care Nurse Practitioner Program at Penn Nursing offers Health Centers the opportunity to host nurse practitioner fellows for a portion of their clinical training, helping to build a pipeline of advanced practice providers committed to community-based care. Fellows complete at least 50% of their clinical training at participating community partner location and continue providing care in underserved settings for a required service period of two years following program completion, supporting long-term workforce stability.
National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA)
  •  NIMAA is a nonprofit education institute that trains Medical Assistants (MAs) to work in today’s high-performing primary care settings. If your health center is in need of MAs and interested in exploring how to become an externship site and partner with NIMAA to bring their MA students to your Health Center, reach out to [email protected] and visit www.nimaa.edu to learn more about the program. You can also contact NJPCA at 609-689-9930 for additional information.

A.T. Still University

  • At ATSU, students and faculty uphold humanistic and whole person healthcare—addressing the body, mind, and spirit of each patient. This integrated approach promotes wellness and delivers personalized care, setting ATSU apart in post-graduate health education.

  • Programs across disciplines—from audiology and dentistry to family practice and public health—embed these principles into the curricula. Emphasis is placed on health education, coaching, and coordinated treatment plans that foster strong patient collaboration.

  • ATSU’s foundation is built on integrated, experiential learning. Students engage in wellness programs, study nutrition and psychology, and participate in problem-based learning. Co-curricular activities unite faculty and students to enrich education, inspire leadership, and foster community.

A.T. Still University partnership information coming soon

For additional information about these local partnership opportunities, please contact the NJPCA Office at (609) 689-9930.

Teaching Health Center Program Planning and Development

Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME): Expanding the Primary Care Workforce

  • The THCGME program helps communities grow their health workforce by training physicians and dentists in community-based settings with a focus on rural and underserved communities.

Education Health Center Initiative

  • The Education Health Center Initiative provides consulting services, educational resources, and guidance to support partnerships between community health centers and residency programs across primary care and health professions. Explore Graduate Medical Education (GME) models and identify the best fit for your center’s needs with the Education Health Center Guide.

Additional Resources