Those with scholarships are usually very interested in how the placements are supposed to work. The best way to do this is to look at the contract that the NHSC put out to bid for a company to handle everything. There really isn't anyone home at the NHSC, the contractor does ALL the work.
The new contract is a matter of public record and can be found at http://vsearch1.eps.gov/servlet/SearchServlet and click to search on archived documents and then enter 03-BHPR-017-HA as the solicitation number.
The first 70+ pages are legal stuff. Then you can read about the specific procedures and goals like:
NUMBER OF SITES PER SCHOLAR
The NHSC puts sites in HPSAs of greatest shortage on the list first and continues to add sites to the Scholar Approved Practice List until a ratio exists of not less than 1 site for each Scholar in that year's placement cycle, and not more than 2 sites for each Scholar in that year's placement cycle
SCHOLAR SUPPORT
Each scholar shall be contacted via phone at the beginning of their specific placement cycle and provided information on the services and assistance that are provided by contractor.
LIST ACCURACY
Maintenance of the vacancy list that has no more than 5% with inaccurate hiring status data on a weekly basis
HAVING TO GET ASSIGNED
No more than 5% of Physicians, Psychiatrists, and Dentist in the Site Assignment Phase
It is very important we all know our rights and work to make the program better, especially with the list accuracy. The list is very inaccurate right now and everyone just ends up competing for the few true openings. There is a website NHSCscholar.com that details some of the struggles of a current NP scholar. MD's are lucky, the contract goal for NP's and PA's not to enter the assignment phases is 15% (compared to your 5%).
Good luck to us all
The new contract is a matter of public record and can be found at http://vsearch1.eps.gov/servlet/SearchServlet and click to search on archived documents and then enter 03-BHPR-017-HA as the solicitation number.
The first 70+ pages are legal stuff. Then you can read about the specific procedures and goals like:
NUMBER OF SITES PER SCHOLAR
The NHSC puts sites in HPSAs of greatest shortage on the list first and continues to add sites to the Scholar Approved Practice List until a ratio exists of not less than 1 site for each Scholar in that year's placement cycle, and not more than 2 sites for each Scholar in that year's placement cycle
SCHOLAR SUPPORT
Each scholar shall be contacted via phone at the beginning of their specific placement cycle and provided information on the services and assistance that are provided by contractor.
LIST ACCURACY
Maintenance of the vacancy list that has no more than 5% with inaccurate hiring status data on a weekly basis
HAVING TO GET ASSIGNED
No more than 5% of Physicians, Psychiatrists, and Dentist in the Site Assignment Phase
It is very important we all know our rights and work to make the program better, especially with the list accuracy. The list is very inaccurate right now and everyone just ends up competing for the few true openings. There is a website NHSCscholar.com that details some of the struggles of a current NP scholar. MD's are lucky, the contract goal for NP's and PA's not to enter the assignment phases is 15% (compared to your 5%).
Good luck to us all
