Education and Training
The National Health Service Corps supports primary care health educational and training opportunities. While in school, NHSC Scholars can gain hands-on experience through programs like SEARCH and CHSC. NHSC providers and alumni support these opportunities by serving as preceptors.
- Improve ambulatory care clinical skills.
- Work with patients from diverse communities and cultures.
- Serve as a valued member of an experienced multi-disciplinary health care team.
- Benefit from the mentorship of a dedicated preceptor.
SEARCH is a state-based program that provides students and residents the opportunity to experience clinical rotations on multidisciplinary health care teams working in communities with limited access to health care across the nation.
- Students pursuing careers in all NHSC-eligible disciplines are eligible for the program
- Many programs provide small stipends or work with school rotation requirements
- Students receive career development support from supervisors and preceptors
Students can apply to participate on a SEARCH rotation through any of the 28 active programs. Rotations are designed and implemented by state and local organizations, so each one is different. Typically, the SEARCH rotation includes clinical practice and a community service project that gives participants an opportunity to learn more about the community.
Check out your state’s SEARCH program to learn more and apply.
The Health Resources and Services Administration, which administers the NHSC, provides funding to State Primary Care Offices, Primary Care Associations, Offices of Rural Health, Area Health Education Centers and other organizations to operate SEARCH programs. For more information about SEARCH please contact Leah Lample at HRSA.
The Collegiate Health Service Corps is a three-semester training and service learning experience that exposes undergraduate students to health careers in communities with a shortage of health professionals.
The program is a partnership between the National Area Health Education Centers Organization (NAO), the Connecticut Area Health Education Center (CT AHEC), universities and colleges, and NHSC-approved sites. Currently, the five participating states include Florida, Louisiana, New York, Tennessee, and Utah.
The program includes:
- 75 hours of service-learning at an NHSC-approved site
- Interactive workshops
- CPR and First-Aid Certification
- Pre-determined service learning project.
For more information please contact Sarah Williams at HRSA.
