3RNet: What is it? 3RNet of Florida is a part of the National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network known as 3RNet. Its’ primary purpose is to assist in securing access to care and reduction of health disparities in rural and underserved communities through the recruitment and retention staffing efforts of quality healthcare providers.

3RNet: What is it? 3RNet also assist in the development of community-based recruitment, retention activities, and national advocacy relative to rural and underserved healthcare workforce issues. Also, Our Website: (3RNet.org), provides candidate lists and information regarding Federal loan forgiveness programs, communities of relocation, lifestyle concerns, and practices.

Functioning & Processing of 3RNet: Log onto Our Website:(3RNet.org) Register: IT’S FREE! Benefits: Full access to the thousands of jobs in rural and underserved areas across the country. What you can see about a job is limited if you are not logged in. Automatic email notifications to your inbox when a new job is added that fits your criteria. 2. I've registered: Now What? Sign in and click the "Profile" button found at the top right of the page to access the Candidate Dashboard. Here, you will find a list of opportunities that match your criteria. Click on opportunities to access full opportunity details. Or, click on the Search Opportunities page to search additional opportunities with expanded search criteria. You can also save opportunities you find to your profile by clicking the "Save to Favorites" icon that can be found on the opportunity detail pages.

Functioning & Processing of 3RNet: Who do I contact if I have questions about an opportunity or location? Contact the appropriate employer or 3RNet member website manager, Dennis Halfhill. Employer contact information will be listed on the opportunity details page; 3RNet member contact information can be found there as well.  

3RNet Resources: Candidate Job Search Resource Library Loan Repayment Loan Repayment Guide E-book Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) E-book Navigating the J-1 Visa Waiver Job Search E-book Loan Repayment J-1 Visa Processing Guide

Loan Repayment: Know that many programs—including National Health Service Corps—cannot be promised. There is an application process and things (such as HPSA scores) can change. Most loan repayment programs approve funding for renewals first, then get into new applications. Funding for new applications typically starts at the highest HPSAs and continues until funding is depleted. Meaning that normally, the higher of a HPSA area you work in, the more likely your loan repayment application be approved.

Loan Repayment Continued: However, renewals are not guaranteed, however, once you are locked into a contract, you are locked in! For example, if the HPSA score of the facility you’re working at changes, it will not affect your current loan repayment, but could impact your ability to get a renewal. Federal and state loan repayment programs are restricted to U.S. citizens, but community-based or hospital/health system-based programs may welcome foreign medical graduates.

Common Loan Repayment Programs The National Health Service Corps (NHSC), a federal program that supports health professionals in exchange for service in high need area. The NHSC has three programs: NHSC Loan Repayment NHSC Student to Service NHSC Scholarship Nurse Corps: Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Nurse Corps Scholarship State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

Loan Repayment Programs Other Programs There may be other options to consider in the state you want to work, such as employer sponsored loan repayment or awards from private foundations. Independent State Programs Many states have, through their own legislative processes, created financial incentive programs for health professionals. These programs will vary from state to state, searching online or connecting with your PCO are good ways to identify independent state programs. Public Service Loan Forgiveness https://studentaid.ed.gov/sites/default/files/public-service-loan-forgiveness-common-questions.pdf Community-Based or Hospital/Health System-Based Programs Some communities and even hospitals or health systems sponsor their own programs. Inquire with an employer during an interview or negotiation phase to learn more about these opportunities

J1 Waiver Processes What is a J-1 Visa? J-1 visa status authorizes an International Medical Graduate (IMG) to perform Graduate Medical Education (GME) in the United States.

J-1 Waiver Processes Why is it Needed? ALL J-1 clinical physicians—NO EXCEPTIONS—need to return to their home countries following the conclusion of GME for two years. Unless the two-year residence obligation is waived, a j-1 physician is ineligible for a H1B eligibility an/or permanent residence. Therefore, it is necessary to get the waiver of the two year home residence obligation in order to get the H-1B eligibility which, in turn, is the visa status that will enable an IMG to work as an physician within the United States.

J-1 Waiver Processes Conrad 30 Program States sponsor waivers for 30 applicants per year in order to recruit physicians into “hard-to-fill” placements when they be treating the medically underserved. This process is geared toward the expansion of the safety net in healthcare. If the waiver is granted, an IMG has a minimum of three years service obligation that must be fulfilled in H-1B statues (obligation periods vary by state).

Who Approves the Waiver? J-1 Waiver Processes Know The Players: PCO Employer Attorney State J-1 Waiver Officer How To Apply? Ultimately, it is the employer and not the IMG that applies for the J-1 waiver and sponsors the transition to H-1B status. The employer is legally obligated to finance the H-1B attorney fees and filing fee cost. The IMG cannot pay. Who Approves the Waiver? The State J-1 Waiver Officer

Is an Attorney really necessary for this process? J-1 Waiver Processes Is an Attorney really necessary for this process? Yes, the J-1process is complex, extremely detail oriented, and very time consuming. An attorney ensures things are handles effectively and in an efficient manner. TIPS: Open up a line of communication with the attorney. Confirm you are receiving all copies of correspondence with employer and the governmental agency. Guarantee your understanding of your lawyer’s practices concerning your case.

Recommendations for Recruitment to Rural Areas: Your Perspective Suggestions?