pa12ew Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 I'm aware that the National Health Service Corps offers a loan repayment incentive of $60K to those who are willing to serve a minimum of 2 years in an underserved area. I was just curious, is there anyone out there that is currently employed in an approved NHSC clinic and getting some of their loans payed off? If yes, how much do they offer for the salary to a NEW PA graduate (aside from the loan repayment amount)? I know there are several factors that can vary (depending which state you work in, etc)..but I just wanted to get a general idea how much they would pay. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradtPA Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 The community health center I applied to that was a loan repayment site two years ago was offering 67K plus full benefits in rural NC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emfdj Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Each site sets their own pay scale and benefits. Some of the rural sites pay extra to attract people. I was offered $92,000 in rural Texas and $90,000 in upstate New York (both involved extra hours-- in the ER or a nursing home). I think I talked to the same place in NC that bradtPA did for 67K. A Pennsylvania state prison offered $74,500. So it's all up to where you want to live and what you want. By the way, the $60,000 is tax free, so it's a really good deal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSCLegend Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 NHSC Loan repayment should not impact your salary. My salary and benefits are very competitive and even better than other non-NHSC sites. I'm in the process of extending my contract one more year and finally being student debt free!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREATMDPA Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 NHSC Loan repayment should not impact your salary. My salary and benefits are very competitive and even better than other non-NHSC sites. I'm in the process of extending my contract one more year and finally being student debt free!! What HPSA score would be considered as competitive for the Loan repayment? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acebecker Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 What HPSA score would be considered as competitive for the Loan repayment? Thanks I'm pretty sure it's a HPSA score of less than 15, but the lower the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREATMDPA Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 I'm pretty sure it's a HPSA score of less than 15, but the lower the better. Wait, I thought the higher the score, the greater need, hence better in terms of selection. I'm just wondering what score NHSC would consider high need enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemegroup Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 Wait, I thought the higher the score, the greater need, hence better in terms of selection. I'm just wondering what score NHSC would consider high need enough. I think it depends on the situation ... for instance, you could have a clinic with a score of 19, this means that they can hire a larger number of PAs. However, that clinic could be part of a clinic group that has 17 clinics total, thus the reason they have a need to hire more PAs. Thus, the single clinic with a lower score (which means they can only hire one midlevel provider), may still be of greater need. I'm fairly sure that's how it works, anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emfdj Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I think these are two different numbers. One is the number of full time providers needed. The other is the HPSA score. The HPSA score is the one that counts when they are giving out money. They start with the highest HPSA score and keep doling it out downward until the money runs out. So a higher HPSA score is better. On the positive side, they start with those renewing their contracts even before the new contracts. So if you get years one and two paid, you're pretty certain to get years 3, 4, 5 paid. It all depends on how much the government is willing to put into this program each year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magicnubs Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 So, how big is the danger of working in an NHSC-approved hospital/clinic and not getting approved after your initial 2 years due to the place of work itself falling of the list? Is the list extermely variable or pretty static? Also, what are the initial chances of approval for PAs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSUnoles Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 ^this. im really interested in this because the scholarship is extremely hard to get. So the next best thing will be the repayment option Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemegroup Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I think these are two different numbers. One is the number of full time providers needed. The other is the HPSA score. The HPSA score is the one that counts when they are giving out money. They start with the highest HPSA score and keep doling it out downward until the money runs out. So a higher HPSA score is better. On the positive side, they start with those renewing their contracts even before the new contracts. So if you get years one and two paid, you're pretty certain to get years 3, 4, 5 paid. It all depends on how much the government is willing to put into this program each year. I know, that makes sense, and I see on the HPSA site the two different designations. Still, on the NHSC site I saw about the other bit ... I'm going to call one of the NHSC ambassadors tomorrow and find out the lowdown for this showdown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NY4now Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 My question is this: How much input will I have as to where I am assigned to work? Does anyone know how this all works and can offer some advice? Am I totally at the mercy of the (gasp) federal government?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemegroup Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 No and yes ... you go onto the NHSC site, look up the clinics in the areas you're interested, and apply to their listed contact information. When I spoke to an ambassador some time back, they told me that IF a site were to not work out, then they would try and accomodate you somewhere closeby, but that ultimately they would have to place you somewhere in need if it came down to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhageremtp Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I am currently in the NHSC loan repayor program. I chose my place of employment and they then in turn registered for the NHSC so I could apply for funding. The score here is a 13 and I got funded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starseed22 Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I am currently in the NHSC loan repayor program. I chose my place of employment and they then in turn registered for the NHSC so I could apply for funding. The score here is a 13 and I got funded. How difficult was it for your employer to go through the registration process? Did you ask them to register as part of your terms of employment and did they already meet the NHSC criteria? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v_chicky Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Each HSPA site can only accept 2 new LRP participants per degree per year (not including extensions - so if 3 of you get hired at the same time and all apply for LRP, only 2 can be selected). They can have more total at any given time, but only 2 new each year. I work at a clinic with 7 PAs and 3 MD/DOs on loan repayment. I think our HPSA score is 10 or 12, no one has had an issue with getting approved. We recently had a meeting with an NHSC employee who explained that even if the clinic's score was downgraded, the NHSC would move us to another site to complete our commitment. They would try to keep that new clinic in a local/acceptable location, but in the end they can choose Guam if that's the only opening they have. My question is this: How much input will I have as to where I am assigned to work? Does anyone know how this all works and can offer some advice? Am I totally at the mercy of the (gasp) federal government?? If you are a scholar, they can send you where they need you. If you are LRP recipient, you find your job and apply for the program, they have no say in where you work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhageremtp Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Did not seem hard on their part, many different forms to file. The agreement was they go through the process and then it was based on my successful application. If I was funded didnt "cost" them any money, if I was not funded my contract included a repayment clause from the clinic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acebecker Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 As an aside - can you get loan repayment after 2 years? For example, if I took a job in a specialty and then transitioned to an underserved area, would I still qualify for loan repayment? Haven't found this information readily after web searches. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COTA for now Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 I think you qualify for it regardless of your experience. The point of the program is to get qualified folks to fill the underserved need, not to be a stepping stone for new grads, even though many view it that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemegroup Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 I think these are two different numbers. One is the number of full time providers needed. The other is the HPSA score. The HPSA score is the one that counts when they are giving out money. They start with the highest HPSA score and keep doling it out downward until the money runs out. So a higher HPSA score is better. On the positive side, they start with those renewing their contracts even before the new contracts. So if you get years one and two paid, you're pretty certain to get years 3, 4, 5 paid. It all depends on how much the government is willing to put into this program each year. I spoke with the NHSC and you are correct, the score is what matters, but they said that yes there are also other factors that can come into play. For instance, if a hospital is part of the clinic's network (if there is one), this can result in more spots being stated as open for providers. But generally, the higher the number, the higher the need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostrike1 Posted April 5, 2011 Share Posted April 5, 2011 I have just gotten my award for NHSC loan repayment. I found a job that was in a high HPSA area and kept my fingers crossed that I would receive funding when I applied. I took this job because it was what I wanted to do and it was a great place to work, and if I got the 60K to put toward my loans it would be icing on the cake. Also, from what I have heard the HPSA score doesn't matter as much in the early phases of the application cycle, but it becomes MUCH more important as the funds are dwindling. I applied in early Dec 2010 and have just finally heard I was accepted for an award. It is not a process for the faint of heart, as it can be frustrating dealing with all the "hurry up and wait", but as long as you took the job because you WANTED to work there (not ONLY for the loan repayment) you will be fine. For those who are thinking about the loan repayment, understand there are very stiff penalties if you don't fulfill your two year contract....so make sure you will want to be at the place for two years before you sign on the dotted line! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSUnoles Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 interesting so it does seem that the repayment option is better if you care where you are going to end up. That said there is always a risk but 60k repayment is pretty hard to turn down if you can find a decent workplace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnykage Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 So, then is this program for recent grads or people with tons of experience? I looked into this a bit and assumed that, like the military, it was more geared towards loan repayment for postgrads. If I'm wrong about this, is it even possible for recent grads to secure this type of program? Is it very difficult to get into? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosox2k1 Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 It's for any type of graduate... I have heard the odds are pretty good, assuming the place is truly in need....again, this is mostly hearsay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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