COVID-19 Workforce Resources
COVID-19 has created challenges in the Workforce in Health Centers. NJPCA aims to provide resources to help Health Centers with recruitment and retention, staffing, and access to helpful and relevant information, training, and webinars.
The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Health Center Volunteer Health Professionals (VHP) Program
Through the enactment of Section 9025 of the 21st Century Cures Act (Pub. L. 114-255), subsection 224(q) was added to the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 233(q)), extending liability protections for the performance of medical, surgical, dental, and related functions to Volunteer Health Professionals (VHPs) at health centers that have also been deemed as employees of the Public Health Service (PHS). Through this process, VHPs of deemed health centers may receive deemed Public Health Service employment status, with associated Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) coverage.
To learn more about the FTCA Health Center Volunteer Health Professionals Program, read FQHCs, and learn about the application process, please visit https://bphc.hrsa.gov
Recruitment and Retention Resources
Several resources exist to assist Federally Qualified Health Centers with recruitment and retention efforts.
3RNet is an online job posting website that is free of charge for FQHCs in New Jersey as part of their collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health. Employers can upload job openings and access helpful resources 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.
A recruitment and retention resource, The Solutions, Training, and Assistance for Recruitment and Retention (STAR²) Center is a project of the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) that provides resources, training, and technical assistance to help the Health Center Program grantees with their clinician workforce challenges and questions. The STAR² Center is a National Training and Technical Assistance Partner of the Bureau of Primary Health Care. Visit the website Solutions, Training, and Assistance for Recruitment and Retention (STAR2) Center Resource Library
Community Health Center Inc. (CHC, Inc.) CHC, Inc. is a major center for education and training for the next generation including Nurse Practioner Residency programs, Medical Assistant programs, and other student and trainee programs. Their website provides resources and information on how to start a Health Profession Education Program to grow and expand your own workforce. Explore their programs Here.
If you are looking into using a Staffing or Recruiting Agency to help with your recruiting needs, please contact NJPCA Clinical Program Manager, Brittnay Herrera-Sosa, bherrera@njpca.org. NJPCA member Health Centers that regularly use a staffing or recruiting agency for their Workforce needs should reach out to Brittnay to let her know and share this information with her.
NJPCA member Health Centers can receive free assistance in writing and compiling their Comprehensive Workforce Plans (CWPs). This includes receiving a workforce plan template, a resource toolkit, and one on one guidance via Zoom or telephone calls. CWPs are critical in planning and forecasting your Health Center’s Workforce needs. The Health Resources & Services Administration Bureau of Health Workforce (HRSA BHW) is asking all FQHCs to have a CWP implemented. Reach out to Brittnay at bherrera@njpca.org, to get more information or one on one guidance.
Health Centers can also use the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) STAR2 Center’s updated Retention & Recruitment Plan Template to create their Workforce Plans. It’s now called the Health Center Comprehensive Workforce Plan and it includes an instructions guide, a template, and an action plan. Throughout, they’ve added in-depth detail related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
This plan is meant to be a working, living document that users can easily modify to stay updated with changing workforce needs and the evolving healthcare environment. ACU is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Workforce Self-Assessment Tool
The STAR Center team recently released updates to the Workforce Self-Assessment Tool, designed to assist your health center in exploring your organization’s strengths and challenges in your workforce program. The tool includes questions about various core components affecting health centers including Leadership Investment, Workforce Planning, Recruitment and Retention Strategies, Compensation, Culture, Diversity, Managers, and Health Professions Training.
Access the Tool Here.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
As burnout rises in the healthcare industry, NJPCA is addressing burnout by providing free training and technical assistance on this topic as well as frequently sharing mental health and well-being resources with its members. Please see a collection of some of those resources below, which are free to access:
If you are looking for additional mental health and well-being resources, please reach out to Brittnay Herrera-Sosa at bherrera@njpca.org.
NJPCA regularly sends out training opportunities, webinars, notices of funding opportunities, and other resources related to workforce, to its members. If you work on an HR team at a New Jersey Health Center and you would like to engage with the NJPCA Workforce Peer Group, please reach out to to find out more.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI)
It has never been more important and crucial to building an equitable and inclusive workplace culture. Below, you will find JEDI resources that will help you build a culture of inclusion & belonging while advancing health equity.
- Webinar Series: Building an Inclusive Organization (May 2021)
- Building an Inclusive Organization Tool Kit (March 2021)
- To request training, or technical assistance, or to learn more about The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s (ACU) JEDI Initiative, please contact Sabrina Edgington, Senior Director of JEDI Initiatives, sedgington@clinicians.org
- Race Equity Map
- CEO Blueprint
- Integrated Works JEDI consulting services and programming. Integrated Works will work with leaders at all levels to help them nurture diversity and practice inclusivity in their organizations. We can support your organization in clarifying a vision for success, designing and delivering a JEDI-specific Organizational Assessment, or through targeted workshops, training, and coaching.
