For Clinicians

OPCA is dedicated to helping you find an opportunity in an underserved area that will meet your professional as well as personal needs and qualifications.

Contact us at recruitoregon@orpca.org or 503-228-8852 ext. 25

Eligible Clinicians

FAQs
Q:  What type of organization is the Oregon Primary Care Association?
A:  The Oregon Primary Care Association, a nonprofit member association, represents community-based health centers that serve low income, rural, migrant, homeless, and other vulnerable populations with limited access to care.

Q:  What is a Federally Qualified Health Center?
A:  Federally Qualified Health Centers are non-profit, community-based organizations that provide care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. Community health centers provide comprehensive, coordinated, culturally appropriate health care services including prenatal care, obstetrics, chronic disease management, preventive services and inpatient care. Most health centers receive some government support. Located in every state, CHCs are governed by consumer representative boards. Since they are designed to meet the health care needs of the community, services vary depending on the need.

Q:  What populations are served by Federally Qualified Health Centers?
A:  Federally Qualified Health Centers serve all populations with limited incomes or access to care.

Q:  What are the benefits of working in a community health center?
A:  Clinicians receive the satisfaction of providing patients with continuity of care, while using their skills in a challenging professional environment. In addition, working at a community health center will provide you with competitive compensation, benefits, and malpractice insurance. Rural practitioners may qualify for the Oregon income tax credit. Federal loan repayment through the National Health Service Corps and/or state loan repayment may also be available.

Q:  Are the health centers looking for any special qualifications?
A:  Community health centers seek medical providers in primary care specialties who are community oriented and mission driven. Clinicians are expected to deliver high quality, culturally sensitive care. Fluency in a second language, such as Spanish, is highly desirable, but not required.

Q:  What if I need a visa or a J-1 Visa waiver?
A:  Oregon has a Conrad 30 Program designed to assist J-1 Visa holders to obtain waivers. For more information, contact Dia Shuhart, Conrad Program Coordinator at the Oregon Department of Human Services, dia.shuhart@state.or.us or call 503-945-9467.

Q:  Which of your sites are NHSC scholar eligible?
A:  The National Health Service Corps keeps an updated list of eligible sites on their website, http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov.  If you have any questions about particular sites, contact the Recruitment Coordinator at the OPCA.

Q:  I'm interested in employment at a Federally Qualified Health Center, where do I sign up?
A:  Please create a CANDIDATE PROFILE and a member of our Recruitment and Retention team will get back to you. Also, feel free to contact us at recruitoregon@orpca.org or call 503-228-8852, ext. 25.