Federal Workforce Initiatives 

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW) provides several initiatives to strengthen the FQHC workforce and recruitment of healthcare professionals. The BHW administers scholarships, loans, and loan repayment programs as well as provides grants to support the training of health professionals. BHW also develops strategic partnerships and is a national resource for workforce research, information, and data. Please visit the BHW site to learn more.

One of the programs HRSA’s BHW offers healthcare professionals is the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). The NHSC awards scholarships and loan repayment for individuals who are employed by an NHSC-approved site, primarily in rural and underserved areas, for a specified amount of time. More than half of NHSC placements are at Community Health Centers across the nation. To learn more about the NHSC, please visit the NHSC site. Additionally, visit HRSA’s Workforce Connector to view open job opportunities at Health Centers and identify local NHSC sites.

NJPCA Workforce Initiatives

NJPCA supports a strong Community Health Center workforce in New Jersey through community based partnerships, outreach to potential applicants, and the implementation of workforce programs.

3RNet: National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network

3RNet: National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network

3RNet is an online job posting website that is free of charge for FQHCs in New Jersey as part of our collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health. Employers can upload job openings and access helpful resources and information through the 3RNet website. The 3RNet platform specifically publicizes job listings from employers who serve rural and underserved communities. As a result, applicants who are interested in working at a Community Health Center in New Jersey have a direct link to potential employers.

To learn more, visit the 3RNet website here.

NJPCA University/College Outreach Program

NJPCA attends university/college job fairs across the state to educate students and professionals about the various careers that are available at a Community Health Center. Over the course of the program, NJPCA has engaged with hundreds of potential applicants to discuss the skills and education required to apply for positions. With continued outreach to college campuses, NJPCA’s goal is to increase awareness of FQHCs and inspire students to develop their career at an FQHC.

To have your Community Health Center’s job openings included in NJPCA’s Statewide University/College Fair Outreach Program, please contact: NJPCA Program Manager, Megan D’Ariano at mdariano@njpca.org.

NJPCA partners with various academic institutions to recruit healthcare professionals for positions at Community Health Centers across the state. Examples of current partnerships include, NYU-Langone Dental Medicine Postdoctoral Residency Program and Rutgers University Division of Life Sciences.

NJPCA TrainUp Day

The NJPCA TrainUp Day initiative is a statewide event where New Jersey’s FQHCs feature the achievements of team members who have grown professionally within their organizations. Additionally, Community Health Centers provide information and resources to inform employees of the opportunities available that enable them to grow in their role. Examples of events held at Community Health Centers include:

• Community Health Centers can share peer success stories with staff to highlight professional growth and to inspire team members to achieve their goals.
• A local community college can be invited to discuss affordable continuing education opportunities to Community Health Center staff.
• The Human Resources team can provide tuition reimbursement information and additional resources on how to move up the ladder at an FQHC.
• Community Health Center CEOs can share their personal career journeys with their teams.

As part of TrainUp Day, Community Health Centers also share descriptions of various departments and open positions to showcase the many opportunities that are available to employees. Federally Qualified Health Centers offer a variety of job opportunities in healthcare, administration, finance, and health information technology. New Jersey’s 24 FQHCs provide more than 3,000 individuals with meaningful opportunities to pursue their dreams; including over 1,800 medical professionals.