National Health Service Corps (NHSC)

As Utah’s PCO, we work with our federal, state, and local partners to help place health care professionals in designated shortage areas across the state.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) offers educational loan repayment and scholarship programs to health care providers in exchange for working in a shortage area. Clinical practice sites can recruit and retain qualified providers by becoming an NHSC-approved site.

NHSC Program Fact Sheet Download

NHSC Eligible Sites

Eligible healthcare facilities can apply to become National Health Service Corps (NHSC)-approved sites. NHSC-approved sites provide outpatient, primary health care services to people in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) Sites must contact their State Primary Care Office (PCO) when applying for, or inquiring about, a HPSA designation.

We require behavioral and mental health providers to practice in a community-based setting that provides access to comprehensive mental and behavioral health services. Sites that do not offer all required services must demonstrate referral agreements with facilities that provides these services.

Review the Site Reference Guide (PDF – 991 KB). It details everything we expect of NHSC-approved sites.
Sites providing Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment should pay close attention to the Site Opt-In Instructions (PDF).
Sites providing behavioral health services will need to review the Behavioral Health Services Checklist (PDF), which contains updated requirements for behavioral health providers and sites. Impacts all current and prospective NHSC sites that provide behavioral health services.

NHSC Sites Fact Sheet Download

Currently employed NHSC and Nurse Corps clinicians:

If a clinician becomes sick, is self-quarantined, self-isolated, or is caring for an affected family member.

Participants who exceed or expect to exceed their allotted 7 weeks (35 workdays) of leave may request a suspension of their NHSC or Nurse Corps service obligation (up to one year). This will allow participants to remain compliant, while extending their obligation end date by a timeframe equal to the approved suspension period.

If a clinician’s employment status is affected (reduced hours, working offsite, changed to telehealth/telemedicine).

At the direction of their approved NHSC or Nurse Corps site, participants may request via the Customer Service Portal (*updated link):

1. Approval of clinical service via telehealth/telemedicine to accommodate infection control, social distancing, or other appropriate measure to assist in meeting recommended outbreak reduction/control measures. NHSC providers may provide virtual check in services furnished through several communication technology modalities, such as telephone, audio/video, secure text messaging, email, or use of a patient portal;

2. Temporary expansion of the maximum hours allowed for providing patient care in an approved alternative setting from eight to 40 hours (throughout the duration of the national emergency declaration). Alternative settings are required to be located in or on behalf of a Critical Shortage Facility (CSF) for Nurse Corps; or

3. Permission to receive NHSC service credit for clinical care to patients impacted by COVID-19 at temporary locations.

Participants who are unable to meet the minimum clinical hour requirements for their full or half-time contracts due to reduced hours at their approved NHSC or Nurse Corps service site must utilize one of the options above to remain compliant. Otherwise, participants may account for the time not meeting their minimum hourly requirement as missed days (up to 35 workdays per service year) on their In-Service Verification or request a suspension of their NHSC or Nurse Corps service obligation (up to one year). Requesting a suspension will allow participants to remain compliant, while extending their obligation end date by a timeframe equal to the approved suspension period.

NHSC or Nurse Corps clinicians who become unemployed:

If a clinician is laid-off or furloughed due to a permanent or temporary site closure:

Participants who wish to provide services in support of this public health emergency may be allowed to voluntarily, or on a temporary basis provide primary care to patients impacted by COVID-19 at a temporary location. Emergency locations would require approval by HRSA and a site Administrator/Point of Contact would be required to verify clinical service hour requirements are met.
Participants who are unable to meet minimum clinical hour requirements and anticipate exceeding their allotted 7 weeks (35 workdays per service year) of leave may request a suspension of their NHSC or Nurse Corps service obligation (up to one year). This will allow participants to remain compliant, while extending their obligation end date by a timeframe equal to the approved suspension period.

The flexibilities noted above are temporary/limited in time and specific to assisting in the COVID-19 response (i.e. not permanent, and not for something other than COVID-19 response). We will continue to update you on any additional provisions relating to participants who may be serving at your sites. Thank you for your commitment to providing care to the nation’s underserved communities.

NHSC Loan Repayment Program

This program is open to licensed primary care medical, dental, and mental and behavioral health providers who are employed or seeking employment at approved sites.

For more information on this program, please visit their website: https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loan-repayment/index.html

NHSC Fact Sheet Download

NHSC Substance Use Disorder Program

NHSC SUD Workforce LRP offers awards to providers who use evidence-based treatment models to treat substance use disorders. Evidence-based SUD treatment contributes to combating this epidemic through specific eligibility. Providers must be trained and licensed to provide SUD treatment at NHSC-approved evidenced-based SUD treatment facilities.

For more information on this program, please visit their website: https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loan-repayment/nhsc-sud-workforce-loan-repayment-program.html

NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program

This program is designed for providers in rural communities working to address the opioid crisis. In partnership with the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program, providers at participating locations are eligible to apply for this program.

For more information, please visit their website: https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loan-repayment/nhsc-rural-community-loan-repayment-program

NHSC Scholarship Program

Scholarships are awarded each year to students pursuing primary care careers. In return, students commit to serving for 2 to 4 years after graduation and completion of training.

For more information on this program, please visit their website: https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships/index.html

NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program

NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program puts registered nurses (including advanced practice nurses and nursing faculty) on a rewarding career path while paying off 60 percent of their unpaid nursing student loans in just 2 years – and an additional 25 percent of the original balance for an optional third year.

For more information on this program, please visit their website: https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps

Nurse Corps Fact Sheet Download

Map of NHSC Approved Sites