Community Health Centers (CHCs) offer employees rewarding opportunities to serve their communities and provide exceptional health care to underserved populations. And while CHCs are mission-driven and collaborative workplaces where staff in a variety of roles can follow their passions for providing outstanding patient care, this is not their only perk. Health care providers and staff who work in high-need, underserved areas (such as at a CHC or other safety-net clinic) may be eligible to apply for certain loan repayment programs. The Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and NURSE Corps all offer outstanding opportunities for safety-net clinic staff to receive financial assistance with outstanding educational loans.
- Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) is a state loan repayment program for licensed primary care, medical, dental, and mental and behavioral health providers working in high-need, underserved areas within Colorado, including CHCs. The next CHSC application cycle will be open March 1-31, 2016. Clinicians may earn up to $90,000 in loan repayment for a three-year service commitment. Full-time and part-time options are available. Review the eligibility criteria and application here. It is recommended that clinicians who are interested, prepare application materials ahead of time. Physicians, dentists, family nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dental hygienists, behavioral health professionals are eligible to apply.
- National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is a national loan repayment program open to licensed health care providers who agree to a 2-year commitment working at any NHSC-approved site in an underserved area (such as a CHC). The 2016 NHSC application cycle is NOW OPEN through April 5, 2016, 7:30 p.m. ET.Clinicians may earn up to $50,000 in loan repayment for a two-year service commitment. Full-time and part-time options are available. It is recommended that clinicians, who are interested, prepare application materials ahead of time. Review the 2016 Application and Program Guidance for detailed information to help you understand the application process and program requirements. Physicians, dentists, family nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dental hygienists, behavioral health professionals are eligible to apply. Click here to learn more.
- NHSC Faculty Loan Repayment Program provides loan repayment to health professions educators from disadvantaged backgrounds while they serve as a faculty member in an accredited and eligible health professions school. The application cycle for this program will open May, 2016. Learn more about this program here.
- NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program is a loan repayment opportunity specifically for dedicated registered nurses (including advanced practice nurses and nursing faculty) committed to working at any eligible nonprofit hospital, clinic, nursing school, or other facility located in designated mental health or primary care Health Professional Shortage Area across the U.S. The 2016 Nurse Corps application cycle is NOW OPEN through February 25, 2016, 7:30 p.m. ET. Learn more about the NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program and how to apply here.
For more information about various loan repayment opportunities available to health care providers and support staff serving underserved communities, visit our Mission Driven Careers Loan Repayment webpage.
For inspiration to help you fulfill your mission of providing primary care services to the underserved in Colorado, watch an NHSC Feature on Dr. Justin Wheeler from Clinica Family Health Services, available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENeIg9CJOvQ.
Are you interested in a mission driven career that helps make a difference in patients’ lives? Check out the Mission Driven Careers Job Board or the CHAMPS Job Opportunity Bank for more information about rewarding careers with a Colorado CHC. To learn more about Colorado’s CHCs and other great work they are doing, visit CCHN’s website.
